a walk from Lough Doon

Leean Mountain is part of a wonderful range of hills to the south of Glencar, perhaps not as attractive as the bigger hills to the north on paper, but on the ground they certainly punch well above their height. Starting point was the carpark at Doon Lough (B (G794 363)) beyond which the hills are dramatically laid out.

A short walk west brings a road which skirts the lough and heads far into the depths of the hills. Lambfest 2010 was well under way and daffodils were adding splashes of colour as i walked this quiet road. A vicious litle gain in height brings wide views south and west over Lough Gill. Crags abound and stone walls become more prominent as the tarmac fades. Just after an old disused house a gate brings SE spur of the hill.

Alot of limestone showing through the short grazed grass as follow an old stone wall uphill. Down to the right large boulders were suspended on legs of limestone ready to recieve their ritual sacrifice. The trig pillar atop is a strong pull as curve around the river valley below. The greeness of the hill only broken by the brilliant whiteness of new born lambs. The walking is easy and pleasant with great views in all directions and a steeper pull brings the top

The views are quite stunning - west over the rest of the Castegal hills to Knocknarea and the backdrop of Sligo Bay and the Ox Mountains, north to the big hills of Truskmore, tievebaun and Slievemore, east to glimpses of Lough Allen backed by Slieve Anierin and the snow spattered Cuilcaigh, south over beautiful Lough Gill.

A steep grassy slope drops down the western flank to a track and sheep pens. This track could be used to return to the quiet approach road or could be a more direct approach in itself. My route continued west, dropping down past the line of crags to the old turf cuttings as seen in the picture, heading for Keelogyboy Far E Top.

This top really does impress - it literally does stand proud from its neighbours and feels and looks much higher than its 417 metres. A cracking short walk on its own over mixed but always easy terrain with the option of extending to varying degrees. On returning to the car the next day Lough Doon was busy with fishermen in boats and the shore and made good company as i stuffed my face. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/750/comment/4604/

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