"There, beyond the bounds of [our] weak imagination."

There are things simply not worth doing. Cove Mountain summit. Galtymore. The Bluestack Mountains in the mist, the Commeraghs in the rain, Slieve Donard in the lightning ....
... but there are things simply not worth doing .... that are.
Gruggandoo is one. Gruggandoo from the Irish, possibly Gruagán Dubh - black rushes.
I came to Gruggandoo by way of a long loop 'round a wild no man's land except it is some man's land because it is worked and maintained.
Start/Finish East Coast Activity Centre which isn't on the Coast and where there was no activity - at all; by Slieve Roe, Ballyvally Mtn, Carnadranna, Mullaghgarve, itself - and rounded off with the raggedy Roosleys and Leckanmore.
What this does, is offer a big and interesting off piste walk - although gentlemen - accoutrements - count them out and count them in - some prickly barbed wire challenges await you.
I have played amongst the big Mournes for over 20 years and there would barely have been a return journey home from the Eastern tops, ex Bryansford and Hilltown where I wouldn't have pondered the mystery of those sun glistered crests of an alien land ahead. Off the map of Mourne experience but confident clean shapes, bold and beckoning.
"Am I wrong to believe in the city of gold that lies in the deep distance?"
Never have been. Never will be.
From here you can frame all the Mourne divas - and from a new and unsettling perspective - but best of all you will be doing something simply not worth doing, that is. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/863/comment/19791/

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csd on Gruggandoo

I parked at A (J19367 26078) on the Yellow Road, south of Hilltown, and took the track south towards the general area of Gruggandoo's summit. There may also be approaches from the east, but there was some sort of shoot on so I decided to approach from safer ground in case either I or the dog were mistaken for a pheasant. Gruggandoo's upper reaches are criss-crossed by fences and surrounded by bog. Other than that, it's unremarkeable, but pleasant views of the western Mournes are to be had. Up-and-down is about 2km from the Yellow Road, so won't be too taxing. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/863/comment/4268/

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wicklore on Gruggandoo

Starting at the place suggested by csd I enjoyed a ramble up to Gruggandoo. This route brings you along a track before passing through various gates and coming out onto an extensive meadow below the highest area of Gruggandoo. There is extensive sheep farming along this route, and the sheep made an active effort follow me on my way. They could easily have slipped through one of the gates behind me if I wasn’t ready for them! There is a pond near the summit and there are good views across to Tievedockeragh, Rocky Mountain, Eagle and Shanlieve. Other than that this is an unremarkable summit. However the relative quietness of these small hills can be an attraction in itself, and it’s certainly worth a ramble up for the views if you’re passing by. Just don’t let the sheep out! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/863/comment/4564/

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