Walking Forum
Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Ireland => Topic started by: henryb on 20:23:21, 28/08/16
-
With a favourable forecast for the morning I decided to return to Carrick Little to climb Slieve Binnian yesterday. At a height of 747m, Slieve Binnian is the third highest mountain in the Mournes. I followed a clockwise circular route from the car park. I ascended on a good track followed by a path beside the Mourne wall to the south tor summit. I reached the summit 1.5 hours after leaving the car park. I started off in good sunshine before cloud set in as I reached the summit :( . I had my lunch at the summit waiting for the cloud to lift. Within 15-20 minutes, the wind came and blew the clouds away and the sunshine returned O0 . Views opened up of the Silent Valley, Slievenaglogh and the western Mournes. After photos, I made my way to the North tor via the back castles. I think this is my favourite walk in the Mournes. All of the 7'7's could be seen and upon reaching the North tor views opened up of Ben Crom reservoir. I followed a good track beside the Annalong valley as I returned to the car park. Total distance was around 11km, taking 4 hours approximately.
Lamagan to Hares castle from ascent of Binnian:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14141650_1356213874407708_1944813566180013077_n.jpg?oh=6e70e2fe2eaa0c32b63a155ede5fb831&oe=583E1753)
Half of Silent Valley:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14089066_1356214287741000_6796502171262764254_n.jpg?oh=60a88c4bd71e15c9ee699db4b987c2e8&oe=584BEA95)
Silent Valley but no Slievenaglogh:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14100529_1356214497740979_3374657471908085260_n.jpg?oh=ec2d05ee49ec79a0fc1610b937578c1b&oe=583CE057)
A window appears:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14064292_1356214684407627_2921778237858316118_n.jpg?oh=5b7a2aaaa093738401949d8d2fe53a05&oe=58431E2C)
Half of Slievenaglogh:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14089114_1356214987740930_1223572184920212242_n.jpg?oh=fa5b5609d8ce62e9ffcfccb0906aebb0&oe=583AA494)
The clearing of the mist:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14045755_1356215411074221_3245283389319565868_n.jpg?oh=679f602122f0b291b92b707bdbacc821&oe=5884DC62)
Slievenaglogh comes into view:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14055190_1356216854407410_6940679602334036267_n.jpg?oh=e41b9a8a1152a23435ffe791eaaf87db&oe=58857513)
Slieve Muck from Binnian:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14102532_1356217197740709_9038092138762307763_n.jpg?oh=5326e9eb2fbd2772ab3454e744bb548c&oe=583AE355)
Silent Valley, Slievenaglogh from Binnian:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14046136_1356218194407276_2333123943475915860_n.jpg?oh=17a806fac2c389034f36840d5522523b&oe=584CD612)
Slieve Donard:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14141786_1356219281073834_213017934739950204_n.jpg?oh=0a413c56f3b14abef8ea524ef69bb0ab&oe=584AA6D4)
Donard, Lamagan from south tor summit:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14063779_1356220544407041_8590767324006622394_n.jpg?oh=68afc930e3440c2278c36fc450c40a7f&oe=585C181B)
Meelbeg framed between the back castles:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14045867_1356221501073612_2894285674758703636_n.jpg?oh=f63cb4cab5f54d4afd17f5ca6af70320&oe=584FF53E)
The back castles:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14055069_1356222521073510_7362462077179483049_n.jpg?oh=d10f47bdcde6d2fb79c6bc4c1e782c0a&oe=5849C07A)
Meelmore to Slieveloughshanngh, Doan, Ben Crom from the back castles:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14102364_1356223464406749_6358545557445615462_n.jpg?oh=92015e4ff9194b17a8aeea4c0fff0a27&oe=5853E163)
Brandy pad, Bernagh, Meelmore, Meelbeg:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14051727_1356223971073365_8895497700594832060_n.jpg?oh=314f85a2c826c718fb57eb58bfa24dd6&oe=583C95A3)
Ben Crom reservoir backed by Ben Crom and Bernagh:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14089215_1356224577739971_7050276848233487682_n.jpg?oh=45037d8bdcb1c909ffa85961ba3b54d2&oe=584A6851)
Blue lough:
(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14088694_1356225297739899_8323433444012597242_n.jpg?oh=419dd513f77b17bda5b16e64db936047&oe=585B72F4)
-
Enjoyed looking at those pics Henry. Almost felt as though I was there myself. O0
-
Thanks Penygadair;IMHO Slieve Binnian is the best walk in the Mournes, a good path, the reservoirs at either end of the ridge, back castles, the views of the 7'7's as well as the western Mournes, it really is something else :)
-
Mmm. Would like to do that. 2017 maybe? Will have to talk to the Dublin inlaws and see if I can get a free roof over my head for a few days.
I'm assuming that a quick burst up the M1 will put me close.
-
Hi Penygadair, using google maps 1 hour and 51 minutes is the time required from Dublin to Newcastle. Thereafter add 15 minutes to drive to Carrick Little from Newcastle. The full circuit can be completed in 4-5 hours including admiring the view from the south tor. Carrick Little car park only holds 15 cars so you will probably park on the roadside as I did last Saturday. When I completed the walk, there was over 30 cars parked roadside, unless you pick a week-day. Let me know if you need any further advice. Thanks, Henry