Harry Goodman on Carrigatuke

As Carrigatuke is one of a few hills remaining on the list of 100 nearest to my home I decided to climb it to-day. Aware of pdtempan's comments I was prepared for a hill that would not demand much effort especially as, unlike pdt, I did not do a lengthy cycle out from Newry as a warm up! This said I was not prepared for a complete wasted journey, in my case by car. Coming from Armagh on the B31 to-wards Newtownhamilton I turned right at a small crossroads into Viewpoint Road, signed for Few's Forest and Carrigatuke Viewpoint A (H920 318) and drove around the south slopes of the hill to second right turn B (H906 313) and followed directions to C (H90203 31736) which is the start of a short road up to Carrigatuke summit. Unfortunately quite a nice direction sign at this point has been smashed into many pieces. Clearly one is encouraged to drive up this road to the top (viewpoint) crowned by a large car park right beside the trig pillar. For my part I walked up the 300 metres or so and "summited" in less than 5 minutes at D (H90345 32092). As a view point this is a fine spot but as a hill to climb, unless you want to tick it off a list, give it a miss. I could not even suggest an extension to make a worthwhile walk. To save pdtempan the bother of another trip up this hill to take a photo I have attached one. Fortunately I also climbed Croslieve, near Forkhill, making my round trip of over 90 miles very worthwhile. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/881/comment/4203/

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pdtempan on Carrigatuke

Did Carrigatuke two Sundays ago by cycling out from Newry via Newtownhamilton. You can cycle all the way to the summit, as there is a mast. Very fortunate that there is a mast, as I was prepared for the heavy showers that were forecast, but not for the thunderstorm which came on suddenly just as I got off my bike at the summit and was reaching for my camera to snap the view. It was quite reassuring to think that the mast would take the hit rather than me. It was also vaguely reassuring to think that at least I was on Carrigatuke, rather than Deadman's Hill, which is a neighbouring hill a couple of kilometres away! Will get you a photo the next time... Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/881/comment/3892/

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three5four0 on Carrigatuke

An undemanding hill this certainly is, we called here, well you cannot really claim to climb it, on the way home from Slieve Beagh & Slieve Beaghs' East Top. There is one word of warning though, the local youths appear to use the summit road and the car park as a racetrack / skid pan. I wouldn't recommend leaving a car anywhere on this short approach road, but drive right up to the car park and then walk back to the trig point and the slight rise just behind (see Harry Goodman's picture above). If you park over the apex in the car park you can at least claim you walked up hill to the summit, even if it is no more than a 6-7 metre height gain.

Whilst we were there a group of cars had gathered, when one had suddenly started "doughnuting" at high speed in the car park, whilst probable fun for those in the car the consequences of the driver losing control and ploughing into the other cars would be horrendous. The marks on the road & car park would indicate that this a regular occurrence & the fact they had containers of petrol and trailers with them, seemed to imply it was a planned event and venue. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/881/comment/4227/

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Close call

After a long day of Binnion Bagging in the South I ended up at Carrigtuke to make it my 10th top of the day. Thanks to the summit comments I knew I could bag it in the fading light. What I didn't count on was my car running on reserve tank on fuel and no sterling! It was a worrying drive back to the republic to fill up! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/881/comment/15928/

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South Armagh hills

Carrigatuke has a nice, unobstructed view all around, from the Mournes to the Sperrins, but it's not really a mountain for climbing. There is a tiny road (Viewpoint Rd, E (H90335 30348) ) off the main road (Keady Rd, starts at F (H89347 30186) ) between Keady and Newtownhamilton that leads over to it. The summit is a peaceful area aside from the occasional joyriding competition that seem to be held (I've never encountered one myself but there are tire marks that tell).
I went to Carrigtuke on the way home from Slieve Gullion one day, and it is a worthwhile sidetrack. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/881/comment/18422/

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