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 482371where 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: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/876/comment/4161/