With strong winds being forecasted yesterday, I opted for a lower level walk to avoid being blown of the top of one of the higher Mournes. I decided to walk the length of the Silent Valley to Ben Crom reservoir and back; this is my favourite low level walk in the Mournes. It was a busy day with several other folks undertaking the same venture. The walk is upon the best track in the Mournes with a short stepped climb to Ben Crom dam. Upon returning to the car park I decided to climb the modest hill of Moolieve which offers great views of the reservoir, Binnian and the central Mournes. I also met the Ben Crom climber, a bullfinch and a mandarin duck. Total distance was around 12km.
Moolieve plus a cloud-covered Binnian:
First sight of Slievenaglogh:
Slievenaglogh and Doan:
Doan and SV:
Doan and Slieveloughshannagh:
The final stretch to the reservoir:
Ben crom reservoir plus Lamagan:
Ben crom and the reservoir wall:
Silent Valley plus surrounding summits:
The central Mournes plus Binnian:
Meelmore to Carn plus Doan:
Muck to Meelmore, Doan, Slievenaglogh:
Slievenaglogh zoom-in:
Mandarin duck:
Bullfinch:
Ben Crom climber: