Despite its modest elevation Binevenagh is one of the most varied hills in Ireland, with plateau, lake and crumbly cliffs combining to produce plenty of entertainment for an afternoon.
It was relatively late in the day when I started from St Aidan's Church, having timed my arrival to precisely coincide with the surrounding minor roads being thronged by folk leaving Sunday Mass. A clear but slightly claustrophobic path leads up through the forest, across a track and onto the open hillside. From here I contoured south until the poorly manicured pinnacle of the Devil's Thumb came into view; a steep ascent led to the col at its rear, and about 15 minutes of fun and games of attempting to climb it. Having reached a point where a slip would probably result in serious injury I couldn't commit to the last 20 feet or so from where the slip would probably result in serious death...of course, instead of accepting I'm now too old for such shenanigans, I immediately resolved to work on regaining my flexibility and core strength with a view to returning. You see, denial...it's not just a big river in Africa.
A little more southerly contouring allowed a steep ascent to the rim of the mountain, and a short walk along the edge revealed the actual summit a few hundred yards 'inland'. This was occupied by a herd of cows with calves in tow, so it was actually just as inaccessible on the day as the Devil's Thumb. No matter, the walk along the top of the cliffs is the real highlight of the day...the view over the Foyle is equally dramatic and lovely.
After a couple of km or so the escarpment becomes stubbed with trees and a track drops down through them to start contouring south again. At a dog-leg in the forest edge I cut back across rough ground to gain the track crossed just above the church, from where it's not too far back to the start.