I had never climbed Croaghnamaddy before today but after reading three5four0's comment and since I was in Donegal this weekend anyway I thought I would bag it. It really is just a short climb from the car park up to the 252m summit. The trig pillar was in excellent condition considering the weather it has to endure up here. The beauty of Donegal is that although there are very high mountains, sometimes the lower peaks are better positioned for views. So it is with Croaghnamaddy - the sheer Horn Head cliffs to the north are interesting enough, but to the west lies Tory island and Bloody Foreland. To the south, a fabulous almost side-on view of the high Derryveagh ridge from Muckish to Errigal. Loughsalt Mountain to the south-east and round to Ganiamore and Crocknasleigh in the east, with the Inishowen hills in the distance. Do check out the cliffs if visiting here though as they really are spectacular. An easy walk - you can be up and down in 20 minutes. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/999/comment/4259/

This is a road trip and a half, rising along with the cliffs to over 600ft. The road is narrow and winding and the fear of meeting another car and having to reverse keeps the wits sharp. The viewing point at 026405 G provides a breathtaking perspective and the start of a walk as long or as short as desired.

The top of Craignamaddy is not much more than a stones throw away. The trig pillar is now adorned with some rocks which add height and style. There are great views especially along the coast, with cliffs, beaches, islands and hills to stop roving eyes. The settlement on the west side of Tory is clearly visible and if it wasn't the still flashing lighthouse would have helped. A stone wall and fence run along the top, with a heap rather than a cairn of stones.

Return to the road and drop down to the cliffs which can then be followed around to Horn Head. Can get as close as dare for the best views of the sheer drops below although there is a distinct track a couple of feet from the edge. Gulls were landing and taking off from the cliff walls and the odd boat came in, perhaps to check lobster pots. The true nature of Craignamaddy becomes clear here - from the Atlantic swell churning at its base, up the spectacular cliffs to the trig.

Pass the carpark and continue on out to Horn Head, path is eroded here and there were quite a few people about. Visit the old look out tower and then follow the coast as it drops down to the Nose of Scoltnavan (005413 H) - an inaccessable inlet with a nice waterfall dropping down to the waves below. Climb uphill again to Crockaclogher and then across the line of hills back to the carpark and follow the road back to the viewing point.

About 4 hours walking in all but can make it whatever length you wish. Would definitely be a shame to miss out on the stunning clifftop walking reminescent of that near Glencolumcille. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/999/comment/5963/

I was out for an aimless drive with the family when I spotted the trig pillar on top of this hill and talked them into taking the short walk to the summit. I had followed the signs for Horn Head from Dunfanaghy, and shortly after seeing another sign saying Horn Head 150m, we parked at a small lay by with great views of the Head. From there I could clearly see the trig pillar, and as we were already on high ground, it was an easy ascent to the summit. As you can imagine, in this part of Donegal, you are very well rewarded for very little effort as the views are magnificent. I would recommend walking around as much of Horn Head as you can as the summit is only part of the attraction here - the cliff top views further to the west are also breathtaking. Trackback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/999/comment/17532/