ULSTER HIGHS
BEST FOR MOUNTAIN AIR
WHERE Errigal, Co Donegal. WHAT Climb the highest mountain in County Donegal. In winter snows, Errigal (751m) rises majestically to the sky as a solitary white pyramid of quartzite. Its Irish equivalent An Earagail means ‘oratory’, referring to a 7 th century saint, St Adamnan. The most straightforward route is an out-and-back ascent from the start via a steep scree slope. Its twin summits are joined by a narrow ridge. The summit view is a classic: glittering lakes, an indented coastline, the stark beauty of the Poisoned Glen, drumlin-studded screes and a suite of crenelated peaks that dance like waves to the horizon.
START/FINISH At a car park along the R251 toward Dunlewy, at the foot of Errigal.
GETTING THERE Take the R251 toward Dunlewy from Letterkenny to reach the car park at the start.
LEVEL Demanding, and technically challenging under snow and ice conditions with an ascent of 530m; a hike for experienced mountaineers only.
LENGTH/TIME TO WALK 14km/ 3.5-4 hours. PACK A headtorch, compass, waterproofs, winter boots; also, crampons and an ice-axe if necessary; a copy of Adrian Hendroff ’s guidebook Donegal, Sligo & Leitrim; OSI Discovery Series Sheet 1.
REFUEL At Leo’s Tavern in Meenaleck just after Crolly, 2km from Gweedore (leostavern.com).
BEST FOR WINTER SUNSET
WHERE Urris Hills, Inishowen, Co Donegal. WHAT These hills rise as a narrow switchback ridge from the golden sands of Crummie’s Bay. The summit overlooks the sea and the mighty arm of Lough Swilly, making it a perfect place to enjoy spectacular winter sunsets. While you’re there, keep a wary eye out for the Suileach, a sea-monster with 200 eyes on each side that legend claims roams these waters! A path to the sandy beach crosses a wide outflow, then snakes uphill on a spur towards Crockfadda. Continue ascending northeast to reach a cairn, then pass above Lough Fad before reaching a large cairn on the 417m summit. START/FINISH At a lay-by on a minor road above Crummie’s Bay.
GETTING THERE Drive toward Drumfree/ Clonmany from Buncrana. Leave the R238 after about 1.5km on a minor road towards Dunree Head. Veer right at a fork just over 2km, then veer left at the next fork 1.5km further. Continue for around 4.7km, then turn right to reach the lay-by.
LEVEL Moderate to hard with an ascent of 440m. LENGTH/TIME TO WALK 16.5km/3-3.5 hours. PACK A headtorch, compass, waterproofs, good boots; a copy of Adrian Hendroff ’s guidebook Donegal, Sligo & Leitrim; OSI Discovery Series Sheet 3.
REFUEL Carb up at Ubiquitous Restaurant or The Drift Inn, both in Buncrana; (ubiquitousrestaurant.com; thedriftinn.ie).
BEST FOR FANS OF GAME OF THRONES
WHERE Binevenagh Cliffs, Co Derry.
WHAT A basalt escarpment lying on the edge of the Antrim plateau, this is one of Ulster’s most fascinating landscapes. The cliff-top offers panoramic views of the largest coastal plain in Ireland. This is also the location used in the TV series Game of
Thrones (where Daenerys is brought to her dragon Drogon’s lair after being rescued from the city of Meereen). A path leads anticlockwise along the cliff-top, down into a forest, along the base of the escarpment and back up to the cliff-top.
START/FINISH At the car park beside Binevenagh Lake.
GETTING THERE From Limavaddy, take the A2/B201 to Artikelly. Turn left 2km northeast of Artikelly, then left again after around 5km following signs for Binevenagh Forest. Enter the forest 1km further and follow a track uphill to reach the car-park.
LEVEL Easy to moderate. Easy navigation, stiles, informal footpaths. Take care near the cliff edge which, at its highest point, drops 200m. LENGTH/TIME TO WALK 6.5km/ 2-2.5 hours PACK A headtorch, compass, waterproofs, good boots; a copy of Helen Fairbairn’s guidebook Best of Ireland’s Walks; OSI Discovery Series Sheet 4.
REFUEL Nearby at Magilligan or Limavaddy; or further away in Coleraine at Elliot’s Bistro or The Newbridge Restaurant (thelodgehotel. com; thenewbridgecoleraine.com).
BEST FOR 360° VIEWS
WHERE Slieve Gullion, Co Armagh. WHAT At 574m, Slieve Gullion is the highest point in County Armagh. From the Courtyard follow the forest drive for just over 4km to reach the upper car park. From here follow a switchback path uphill to reach a cairn, burial chamber and trig point at the summit. Views from here include the surrounding countryside and hills of the Ring of Gullion, Armagh drumlins, and as far as the Mourne Mountains and the Cooley Peninsula. START/FINISH Slieve Gullion Forest Park car-park at the Courtyard. Note the upper car park may be icy in winter so it is better to park lower down.
GETTING THERE Coming from Dublin or Belfast, leave the M1/A1 and take the B113 exit towards Forkhill at the roundabout. Continue for around 6.5km before turning right into the Forest Park, then follow signs to the Courtyard.
LEVEL Moderate, mostly on road. Final ascent to 440m on a good but moderately steep path.
LENGTH/TIME TO WALK 10km/3-4 hours. PACK Headtorch, spare clothes, waterproofs; OSNI Discoverer Series Sheet 29.
REFUEL At Synge and Byrne Cafe (syngeandbyrne.com) or Clanrye Tuck Shop in the Courtyard buildings.
BEST FOR COASTLINE
WHERE Cloghmore Stone, Co Down. WHAT An easy walk to reach a 50-tonne boulder that is thought to have provided CS Lewis with the inspiration for Aslan’s table in his The Chronicles of Narnia. Legend suggests that the boulder was thrown by the mythical warrior Fionn MacCumhaill — but it is really just an erratic — a massive boulder dislodged during glacial times. Turn left out of the car park, then right at a junction. After a switchback, follow a forest road uphill for around 400m. Then head up a track signposted ‘Cloghmore Trail’ on the right. At a T-junction above, turn right, then right again. The track passes under a mast to reach a viewing area. Veer left and head up another path to a T-junction. The fabled Cloghmore Stone lies to the right. Views of Carlingford Lough and the Cooley Peninsula are outstanding from here.
START/FINISH Main car-park at Kilbroney Forest Park. GETTING THERE Kilbroney Forest Park is around 1km after the Kilkeel junction at Rostrevor. Leave the A2, turn left into the Forest Park and follow signs to the car park. LEVEL Easy, suitable for families with kids. LENGTH/TIME TO WALK 4km/ 1.5-2 hours. PACK Your camera, headtorch, waterproofs, spare clothes, food and drink for kids; Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland (OSNI) The Mournes Activity Map. REFUEL Take your pick from the Kilbroney Park Cafe or The Old School House Cafe in Rostrevor.