gerrym on Grinlieve

Grinleive holds a sure presence, rising pyramid like to lord it over its immediate surroundings - before the biggest hills of Inishowen shout it down.
There is ample parking at C (C482 371)where a forestry track leaves the road. Cross the busy road and drop down to an equally busy little river - may have to follow upstream to where it splts in two for an easy crossing. Climb up out of the river valley, past wonderfully posed trees and high ferns, to open hillside. Follow a fenceline gently up and then down into another river valley. This has a number of gullied streams crammed with clinging trees dropping down into it. A steep drop brings the small river and an equally steep rise starts the climb to the top of Grinlieve. Views already bring the height of Slieve Snaght and the commected tops of Sawel and Dart in the Sperrins to the S.

Grasshoppers fell silent as i approached, butterflies fluttered amongst the heather and ahead over the summit ravens circled. The partly cloudy sky created great contrasts of light and shade on the ground below - the blue waters of newly formed resevoir to the W were striking against the hillscape. On the top of neighbouring Creehennan Hill row upon row of white turf bags took on the menace of an army of crazed sheep massed to charge - i did have a couple of nervous glances just in case! The going is pretty good with evidence of rock nearer the top and hues of low purple heather. Top reached in 35 mins and 1.28 miles (1232 ft).

Views - i had a few! N & E to Malin Head then to Lough Foyle, Magilligan Strand, Antrim Hills and Scottish Islands. W & S to the rest of the hills of Inishowen, Derryveagh Mtns, Bluestack Mtns, possibly Sligo Hills and the Sperrins. The shelter cairn at the top provided time out of the rising wind to eat lunch as shower clouds gathered to the S.

Descend in a similar manner - the easy going giving time to savour the surroundings. All in all just over an hour walking and 2.5 miles. Easy start to a couple of days taking in the more isolated hills in the area. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/876/comment/4161/

Read Less

Worthy of the climb.

Climbed this hill on 4 July 2011. I parked at Goor Hl (C48048 37194) where there was ample space for several cars. I crossed the R240 and then a small stream before heading up sharply NE to a broad flat moorland which I followed across before dropping down steeply, but not very far, to cross another stream. From there I went up a steep gully, past an out decaying tree and headed for the crest of the ridge . Before reaching the crest I came to an old walled stone enclosure and, shortly after, a raised ditch running NNW in the direction of Grinlieve Top. I followed it up and, when it became less distinct, continued on in the same direction to a fence where I turned right and followed it up the ridge to the small rounded top of the hill. This is a fine viewpoint with a substantial cairn, hollowed out to give shelter from the elements should needs dictate. Prominent due W were Slieve Snaght and its satellites of Slieve Main and Damph. Just left of these was the as yet "unmapped" lake on the OSI Sheet 3 (Edition 3). It reminded me of a walk some years ago when I was coming back from Slieve Snaght by way of Damph and became confused by a large lake ahead not shown on my map! From the top of Grinlieve, rather than return by way of ascent, I opted to follow the fence directly downhill. Near the bottom it became quite steep and I had to cross through a small patch of deep bracken to a fence which I crossed to a narrow but distinct track. I turned right along the track for a few metres and then turned left, keeping the hedge/bushes on my left, and went down through two fields to pick up a lane which forded a river and also had stepping stones, which I crossed and walked the short distance out to the R240 B (C47810 38203). I turned left and walked just over 1km back to the start. In all an enjoyable walk of some 4km which I combined with walks to two other isolated tops on the same day. Anyone considering using my descent route for an up and down should be aware that there is no parking available at the entrance to the lane off the main road. the nearest point to park would be some 300m along the road in the direction of Moville. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/876/comment/6416/

Read Less

Fry by Day

Followed gerrym's excellent route description and was up and down in no time. There was an impressive display of Orchids in the first section of the walk and other small SBT's. Thus we were able to fit in the current Mrs three5four0 wish, to visit a garden centre that afternoon.

Interestingly, said garden centre opens for breakfast at 9:00 am, and the size of the fry's being brought out were enough to tempt me to visit again, on our next drive north to Donegal. Its Ness Garden Centre by Ness woods on the A6, for those who have left home early to beat the traffic, without having breakfast. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/876/comment/5957/

Read Less