A short but boggy evening stroll.

I climbed Bolaght Mt ( my fifth top of the day) on 11 Aug 2010 after a walk up Mullaghcroy. I approached it from a minor road on the N side of the hill parking at the end of the tarmac Bol Rd (H27148 76878) and following the Ulster Way SW. I had previously followed this route when walkling the Ulster Way but had not actually been out to the top of the hill. The track up was extremely boggy and at times indistinct. The waymarks were also a bit hit and miss for anyone depending on them especially in poor visibility. About 300 metres in from the start I took a left fork in the track marked by a stout post with a yellow painted top. Once I had plodded up on to the crest of the hill I passed a high metal post with UW signs and soon after, the point where the waymarked route turned down left A (H26283 76571) SW towards Lough Lee. From this point the summit lay some 400 metres further W across the flat moorland crest. The heathery top was more or less trackless as I made my way across to the high point just before a fence, at B (H25898 76639) with the long line of wind turbines as company down to my left.. For some the flat nature of the top may suggest other possible but high points such as C (H25880 76640) just beyond the fence. Initially at the top I had fine views E to the Sperrins, SW to Cuicagh and the Dartrys and further round W and N to the Bluestacks and Donegal Highlands but they were cut short by gathering clouds and a heavy shower as I made a hasty retreat, by way of ascent, back down to the car. This 4.2k walk could be completed with ease in about fifty minutes. For anyone wishing to climb a number of hills in this area I would suggest that Pollnalaght, Dooish, and Bolaght Mt (S Donegal/W Tyrone Area) and Mullaghcroy (Sperrins Area) could all be included in a day with not to much travelling in between each. For possible routes see my comments on each of the other hills. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/904/comment/6035/

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Return to childhood

I didn't log this hill as climbed until Sunday when I made certain of standing on the summit, but I crossed over Bolaght many times as I child. My best friend and I would cycle up here to Point A and walk in to Lough Lee to do some...ahem..."fishing" with a device called an otter. Parked at the same point on Sunday and walked slightly South of due East to reach the summit. Great views North and West over Tyrone and Donegal, and immediately South over Lough Lee. Seemingly randomly scattered wind turbines often blight a landscape for me, but here, the more regimented layout seems to compliment the wild lough.

Despite the short distance the going was tough enough for a beginner like me, with deep heather and uneven ground and boggy holes. Not having invested in much gear yet, and not being sure how good waterproof boots really are, I was glad of the wellies. Access roads for the windfarm were visible on the South side of Lough Lee and could provide an easier approach on foot if desired. Saw a red grouse on the way back. Don't know who was more startled, him or me.

I couldn't better dr banuska's photo of Lough Lee, so included a shot looking West over Bin Mountain (not an MV peak) and Aghyarn in West Tyrone, to the cloud-capped Bluestacks in Donegal. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/904/comment/15220/

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Making a Loop

Having spent very little time in the hills over the last few years I was keen to start with something straightforward and simple to plan and navigate. This is one of my Local 100 and also one of the 50 closest for my personal 50for50 Challenge so fitted the bill perfectly.

I'm not a fan of "there and back" routes so plotted a route that started at Sloughan Glen and continued along the Ulster Way route after the summit, effectively combining the two possible approaches outlined by other members. Almost half of the route was on roads but this is a very quiet area and I encountered only one vehicle on the road section and that was the postman!

I ended up taking a bit of a roundabout way to the actual summit having followed the Ulster Way for a few hundred metres before striking up the hill. I should have gone straight up from where the Ulster Way meets the windfarm road. The summit itself isn't much higher than the surrounding heather but clearly visible and easily found.

Looking at the layout of the windfarm it should be possible to loop around the Lough and to the summit via Bin Rocks (from the OS map - possibly just Bin Mountain?) and descending the way I came up to give a shorter looped walk with no roads.

I spent some time exploring Sloughan Glen after finishing and it was more than worth it. There are a lot of steep sections and steps that could challenge achy legs and knees but the waterfalls are beautiful.

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A detailed report and more photos can be found on my personal blog at this link: https://idlecyclist.wordpress.com/2021/10/04/hike-bolaght-mountain/ Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/904/comment/23285/

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BogRunner on Bolaght Mountain

Bolaght & Bin Mountains are extensively forested (by the NI Forestry Commission) and contain numerous small and pretty loughs. The views from the top on a clear day are very impressive, reaching from Cuilcagh Mtn in south Fermanagh up to Erigal in north Donegal and right across the Sperrin chain.
The new wind farm has added improved trails so making this good training ground for trail running. The Ulster Way passes along the top of Bolaght, thus giving splendid views of the scenic Lough Lee and the aforementioned panorama.
Parking is available along Lough Bradan road, near the waterworks.
Extensive wildlife is often seen including badgers, deer, foxes, hares, and birdlife including ravens, hen harriers, herons, grouse and smaller birds of prey.
I run in this area regularly, often for hours at a time and rarely see another person.
This is more of a tough walk than a typical hill walk but I think of it as a hidden gem. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/904/comment/4009/

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three5four0 on Bolaght Mountain

There is a good carpark & picnic area for the Sloughan Glen Waterfall walk, which can also be used for access to Bolaght Mountain, at SlouGl (H277 742). From here walk a short distance towards Willmount Glen, taking the first track on your left, follow this track up hill past a lot of rowan trees loaded with berries to a track junction at D (H255 747). From the junction turn right & cross over a bridge, continue straight on (pasted the main track turning left) and follow the Ulster Way (over or around the gate across the track) to Lough Lee.

Where the Ulster Way leaves the main track at Lough Lee walk up hill to the summit of Bolaght Mountain, the views must be extensive, however on our visit other hills were already in cloud and a light drizzle had started. Descent is by the way of ascent, if you have the time, the waterfall trail is worth a visit, the trail starts in the carpark. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/904/comment/4159/

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