Yesterday's walk in the Mournes took me on a high level circular walk around Lough Shannagh taking in Ott, Carn, Doan and Slieveloughshannagh. Having previously done Slieve Muck, Meelmore, Meelbeg and Bernagh, the former group represented a obvious different route in the central Mournes. I visited Ott first before walking to Carn. Taking an 'off the beaten track' descent route, I headed towards Lough Shannagh before climbing Doan. Many hikers, including myself, regard Doan as the most central summit in the Mournes. The mountain offers stunning views of the Silent Valley and eastern Mournes. After admiring the views, I descended towards the Mourne wall to begin my ascent of Slieveloughshannagh, the final mountain of the day. I had lunch on the summit as I took in my favourite panorama in the Mournes: the double lake panorama of the Silent Valley and Lough Shannagh. I descended to the colony between Carn and Slieveloughshannagh before picking up the track back to Ott car park. The total distance was just over 10km, taking nearly 4 hours.
View from Ott mountain:
View towards Slieve Croob from Ott:
Spelga Reservoir from Ott:
View from Carn towards Ott and Spelga range:
View of Binnian from Carn:
Binnian, Slievenaglogh and Knockchree taken upon descent of Carn:
Lough Shannagh and the eastern Mournes, taken upon the descent of Carn:
Slieveloughshannagh and Meelbeg from Lough Shannagh:
Doan, Bernagh and Ben Crom or Lamagan, taken from Lough Shannagh:
Bernagh, Meelmore and Meelbeg from Doan:
Lough Shannagh, Carn and Slieve Muck from Doan:
The Binnians and Silent Valley from Doan:
Silent Valley from Doan:
View of Donard, Commedagh, Beg, Cove, Lamagan and Ben Crom from Doan:
View towards Doan, Binnian, Slievenaglogh, Silent Valley and Lough Shannagh:
View towards the eastern Mournes from Slieveloughshannagh:
View towards Slieve Muck, Slievenaglogh, Carn and Knockchree from Slieveloughshannagh:
View towards Binnian, Lamagan, Doan and wee Binnian from Slieveloughshannagh:
View towards western Mournes, taken on the descent of Slieveloughshannagh:
