A well deserved break at the top of Slieve Gallion

Last Sunday the sun shone so we made the most of this rare occurrence and re-motivated ourselves to get the hiking shoes back on to tackle Slieve Gallion. It has been tempting me for months; peering through my windows and mocking my laziness. But no procrastinating today - we packed our little lunches and headed off to climb that pesky mountain!

Ready to take on the mountain

It took 2 hours to struggle to the top and 1 hour to roll back down (though when I say "struggle" that really only applies to me.) Gina bounced all the way up it; Leo skipped and sang; Rowan got his second wind after the first hour and Mark just got on with it. Slieve Gallion has a total ascent of 1,627 feet. It is a 5.6 mile round walk from  Iniscarn Forest carpark (actually a small layby on the side of the road) and takes you through forests, mud and heather and back round to the start.  (It is possible to cheat and drive straight to the top of the mountain, get out, walk about a bit and pretend you made the climb - but what gain would there be in that?!) We didn't do the round trip but came back down the way we went up.

Starting to feel the pain!

Make no mistake, this is a killer walk! It seemed to me that we climbed almost vertically for about 100 metres until the path turned a corner and when we arrived at the corner there was another stretch exactly like the last one! Just when I was ready to collapse in an undignified heap, the terrain changed and the 2nd half was surprisingly easier to handle (although maybe it just felt that way because the end was in sight!) It was muckier and rockier and when we looked behind us we saw the most amazing views of Mid Ulster.
Finally, we got to the top and (excuse the cliche) the view was worth the climb. We ate our picnic amid the rocks and heather and the sun stayed out the whole time.
 My legs were sore for 2 days afterwards but just think how many calories I burned off! If I was a peak-bagger I could tick this off my list though it might be a while before I tackle Slieve Donard at 2,786 feet tall!

Mark at the top

Leo at the top