PuterMan on Slieve Carn

Slieve Carn on paper may not seem anything to shout about, but it is its isolation from other hills that is it's strong point. The hill stands proudly above the plains of Mayo and from the summit you can see in a sweeping arc from the Pins past The Reek, taking in Clare Island and then on to Nephin, the Ox Mountains, and even on a clear day the top of Errigal, and thence to Ben Bulbin.

It is a pleasant easy walk for the most part if you approach from the West, but in wet weather the last part of the route to the summit across the bog can be treacherous. If you are wanting more strenuous exercise approach from the East [Kiltimagh](1 in 4). The blanket bog is 'farmed' in most places on the hill, and a recent addition has been 4 wind turbines.

Slieve Carn is mentioned in the Statistical Survey Of Mayo (1802) as having coal, and there is also evidence in places of iron deposits. Kestrels, even a buzzard and various other birds have been seen and if you are lucky in summer you may see a flock of Golden Plover.

It is also reported that back in the 70s a UFO was seen hovering over Slieve Carn. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/990/comment/3778/

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Tractor Territory!

After reading paddyhillsbaggers comments about the access roads condition, we opted to try the minor road crossing Treannagleragh, and then approach via the summit tracks. We took the minor road at A (M339 890) in Kiltamagh, which brought us to an off set junction at B (M313 898), turn left and then right onto the road that climbs to the masts on Treannagleragh. All I can say is don't approach the hill this way, unless you are driving a 4 wheel drive vehicle, with a good clearance below!

For those who do, continue on up hill past the masts and turn left at C (M296 902), onto a badly rutted — and flooded when we were there — track. Follow this to a track junction at D (M294 890), turn left and after a very short distance right at E (M295 890) onto a slightly better track. There is room to park at F (M293 879), by the track junction. From here you can make a direct ascent, across bog, to the summit and its Trig Point, returning by the track that runs along the edge of the forest and then along the road back to your 4x4. Despite the rain, there was good views to be had, before the mist rolled in again.

Its best to approach this hill from the West side, given the steepness of the approach roads and tracks, from the Kiltamagh side. The only thing rescuing your stuck car here is a tractor! On the tracks mentioned above, I did spot what looked like walking trail markers, so there may be an attractive alternative approach to be had, from a village below. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/990/comment/5945/

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paddyhillsbagger on Slieve Carn

PuterMan is correct in describing the fabulous views to be had from the top of Slieve Carn. Unlike PuterMan I drove up the very rough and steep (1 in 4) access road from the Kiltimagh side ending up only 5 minutes walk from the cairn. I would not advise driving up this route, I bottomed out a couple of times (my car is a large MPV high off the ground) and opted to drive down the West side which is far more gentle. The access road is no doubt both for the turf as well as the wind farm on the summit plateau. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/990/comment/4180/

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Sliev Carn

I climbed this today approached from Kiltimagh take 5th left (L57704) when you are on the balla road from kiltimagh....on the L57704 turn right at first crossroads (after about 3 km) than proceed up mountain till you reach turbines than walk towards TV aeriel that is on its own about one km south..trig pillar is there Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/990/comment/15180/

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Working Bog and Wind Farm

Having read the comments about the approach from the East side, I followed a warren of roads on the West side of the hill and ended up parking at G (M29230 89101). From here I followed the approach mentioned by three5four0, mostly on a bog road and then across the bog following some recently cut hoppers to the trig at the summit. Nice views of Nephin and Croagh Patrick in the distance. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/990/comment/23968/

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