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Knockalla 363m,
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Donegal North Area   E: Fanad Subarea
Place count in area: 9, OSI/LPS Maps: 2 
Highest place:
Knockalla, 363m
Maximum height for area: 363 metres,     Maximum prominence for area: 328 metres,

Note: this list of places includes island features such as summits, but not islands as such.
Rating graphic.
Knockalla Hill Cnoc Colbha A name in Irish, also The Devil's Backbone an extra name in English (Ir. Cnoc Colbha [OSI], 'hill of the ledge or edge') Donegal County in Ulster Province, in Binnion List, Whitish quartzite with pebble beds Bedrock

Height: 363m OS 1:50k Mapsheet: 2 Grid Reference: C23592 34284
Place visited by 43 members. Recently by: ChrisC, Wilderness, eamonoc, k_der, pmeldrum, cairns-pj, Q35on, Fergalh, trostanite, NICKY, Aidy, Lucky1, sperrinlad, Ulsterpooka, kmoore
I have visited this place: NO (You need to be a logged-in member to change this.)

Longitude: -7.630717, Latitude: 55.155148 , Easting: 223592, Northing: 434284 Prominence: 328m,  Isolation: 4.1km
ITM: 623536 934265,   GPS IDs, 6 char: Knc363, 10 char: Knockalla
Bedrock type: Whitish quartzite with pebble beds, (Slieve Tooey Quartzite Formation)

Knockalla has twin summits of the same height. It is also known as the Devil's Backbone.   Cnoc Colbha is the highest hill in the Donegal North area and the 1033th highest in Ireland. Cnoc Colbha is the second most southerly summit and also the second most easterly in the Donegal North area.

Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/884/
COMMENTS for Knockalla (Cnoc Colbha) 1 2 Next page >>  
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MountainViews.ie Picture about mountain Knockalla (<i>Cnoc Colbha</i>) in area Donegal North, Ireland
Picture: Knockalla ridge from Crockanaffrin
 
Fanad-tastic Ridge Walk
by gerrym  26 Jul 2010
Starting point is the large chapel carpark in Glenvar (256345 starA). Take the lane the other side of the chapel, passing fields cut for silage and those full of horses, past an old house to a gate and field beyond. A fenceline keeps the mountainside at bay and following this NE brings the track with the station sof the cross.

Follow this uphill to reach the 3 prominent white crosses at a place of outdoor worship complete with concrete alter, lecturn and chair - an amazing spot which would nearly knock the athiesm out of me! A building contains a grotto and some shelter if it was needed. Views reach over Lough Swilly to the steep drops of the Urris Hills, the other hills of Inishowen and most of the high Sperrins.

Continue uphill and will pick up another fenceline which will lead to the track heading to the E side of the mountain which I used before climbing steeply to NE summit cairn. Good immediate views over the sands at Portsalon. There is water in all directions as peninsulas of land try thier best to reach northward, althought the bigger hills of Donegal from Muckish to the Bluestacks do get a look in.

A distinct sheep track heads for the SW top and brings the delightful sight of the twin loughs, walking high above before dropping down to thier shores on a rough track. Big blocks of scree cover the hill behind the lough - following the rough track downhill allows an easier line of ascent for the SW top. This has significant damage from bikes on the way up and at the top. The sumit cairn is more substancial and gives great views over Mulroy Bay with numerous fish farms. Also just made out Cuilciagh and more easily the big cairn on Muckish and a superb profile of Errigal.

Follow the rough track steeply downhill to the road which leads back to Glenvar. Peat was burning on this warm day - a query easily answered by locals who needed thier hot water! A walk of just over 2 hours which was an adventure in itself. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/884/comment/5973/
Your Score: Very useful <<  >>Average
 
The Traverse of the Devils Back Bone .. by three5four0   (Show all for Knockalla (Cnoc Colbha))
 
There are 2 good ways to enjoy the Knockalla moun .. by glasgowjim   (Show all for Knockalla (Cnoc Colbha))
 
Colbha is Irish for a ledge or shelf, and in this .. by pdtempan   (Show all for Knockalla (Cnoc Colbha))
 
Try To Walk The Whole Ridge .. by Aidy   (Show all for Knockalla (Cnoc Colbha))
 
A nice gentle walk - one way up is to go up the l .. by zayrah   (Show all for Knockalla (Cnoc Colbha))
 
COMMENTS for Knockalla (Cnoc Colbha) 1 2 Next page >>
(End of comment section for Knockalla (Cnoc Colbha).)

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Some mapping:
Open Street Map
(Various variations used.)
British summit data courtesy:
Database of British & Irish Hills
(Creative Commons Licence)
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