Sat 19th Dec 2020
Slieve Loughshannagh, Meelbeg and Meelmore
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Thirteen Spartans braved this one on a damp, cold and windy morning which started from near the Blue Quarry car park on the Slievenaman road. The Mourne wall provided quite a bit of respite from the strong SW winds as we crossed the three peaks on the walk. Some good views into the distance although the high tops remained under the cloud all day. After an enjoyable lunch at the top of Meelmore we descended via the northern spur towards the happy valley car park. On the way down we got the full force of the wind on our left sides and at times the gusts were strong enough to knock some off their feet. Thankfully, no serious injuries were incurred. We then followed the Ulster way round past Fofanny dam back towards the cars. Just as we were heading up the road we got the heaviest rain of the day in a passing shower. Everybody enjoyed the walk despite the conditions and it was good to get out before Christmas and indeed the lockdown which will be with us for the next while. Many thanks to Mairead for providing the pictures.
Derek |
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Sat 12th Dec 2020
Thomas' Mountain
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A group of Spartans met at Newcastle Harbour and took the granite trail straight up from the Harbour towards Donard. We climbed Millstone mountain directly from the quarry. Very steep and deep heather so this was a difficult route. In retrospect there is an easier way by taking a trail to the south once one emerges from the forest. And then to bear north west up a trail to a quarry on a ridge of Millstone mountain. We descended to the north side of the mountain to the quarry below Thomas mountain and then contoured back to the granite trail. An outside cup of coffee was had by some Spartans after the walk! David |
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Sat 21st Nov 2020
Binnian (Walk 2)
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A group of 14 gathered at Silent Valley Car Park for the walk on a beautiful day. It was great to see so many coming on the overflow walk given that 14 had also signed up for the principal walk along the North Down Coast path as well. After walking a short distance in the Park we climbed Moonlieve from whence nice views of the Silent Valley opened up. We then climbed Wee Slieve Binnian and had our coffee break on the rocky summit. We then contoured round the south side of Slieve Binnian to ascend by the Quarry route to the south facing col and then to the summit at the South torr. Lunch was then consumed. We took the northern ridge towards the back castles and then descended due west along a wall leading to the reservoir. This was necessary as we did not have time for a longer walk due to the closing time of Silent Valley Car Park. This descent is long ,tiring and hard on the knees. On reaching the Silent Valley reservoir road we returned to the car park on what had been a beautiful autumn day.
David |
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Sat 21st Nov 2020
North Down Coastal Path (Walk 1)
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14 of us had a really lovely walk from Bangor to Hollywood - the sun shone most of the time, the sea was blue , plenty of seabirds about and a solitary seal looked on briefly. A very nice day indeed. Nonie |
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Sat 14th Nov 2020
Meelmore
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Saturday morning at Meelmore Lodge was wet and windy with gusts of 50 mph predicted. The general consensus was that the planned route up Bearnagh was too exposed. Instead, 14 hardy Spartans set off for the saddle between Bearnagh and Meelmore. The rain held off during the morning and we were sheltered from the worst of the wind. After a coffee stop at the saddle we opted to go up Meelmore and down Happy Valley, benefiting from the shelter of the wall and hoping to avoid the heavy rain forecast for the afternoon. No such luck! Coming off Meelmore the rain came on and stayed with us until we arrived back at Meelmore Lodge. After peeling off the wet gear (and for some, pouring the water out of our boots!) we enjoyed a socially distanced lunch in our cars. Not the best day to be in the mountains but, as always, the craic was good and sure what else would you be doing on a wet Saturday! Carrie |
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Sat 7th Nov 2020
Commedagh (Walk 2)
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A group of 12 gathered to climb Commedagh as we all had not been able to get on the advertised walk given Covid number restrictions. We climbed through Donard wood and along a newish path through the forest to the west of the Glen river track. This emerged onto the Shan Slieve ridge of Slieve Commedagh. We ascended the ridge to the summit and were blessed with beautiful views of the mountains rising above a mist layer in the valleys. Coffee break was just before we reached the ridge proper and lunch was had on the summit. We descended by first a detour round the northern slopes of Commedagh to see the mist lying in the Annalong valley and then took the Glen River home . The craic was good and the weather beautiful. David |
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Sat 7th Nov 2020
Spelga Skyline (Walk 1)
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15 Spartans set of from Ott Car Park to take on our own mini 7,7s challenge or the Spelga Skyline as it is more commonly know. The first of the 7 peaks in the challenge was Ott which after a few small streams and a lot of very wet ground was conquered with relative ease. It was then onwards and upwards to Carn which would be tea time so we made it in good time. After a short break for tea we were off again up towards the summit of Muck. With number 3 peak ticked off the list we started the decent off Muck towards Pigeon Rock. Muck is a very well named mountain as a steep decent was made more challenging by the constant wet and boggy ground.
Next up was Pigeon Rock and with the promise of lunch at the top everyone was spurred on and we made good time. After a lunch break our next peak was Cock but before it we had the bogland between it and Pigeon to negotiate. Safely across the bog we reached the summit and it was on to the next peak NaMiskan which would lead us down into the face of Spelga Dam and the walk up the road to our final peak Butter. With the peak of Butter reached the car park was back in sight and off we went back down. It may not have reached the dizzying heights of the 7,7s but with 14km and 900m of ascent it certainly was a mini version. Graham |
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Sat 31st Oct 2020
Rocky & Hares Castle
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3 of us met at the entrance to Dunnywater on what has become a norm for walks I lead it was to be wet and very windy. Storm Aiden had put paid to the planned walk as the gusts on top of Chimney Rock were forecast to be in excess of 60mph. The plan now was to complete a lowland walk.
We set off for Rourkes Park and headed up towards Round Seefin heading through the forest. It wasn’t to long till the waterproofs we out as the rain began just as we came out of the forest. Although the rain was short lived and we soon had sunshine of sorts beaming down on us. We followed the wall up over Long Seefin and after finding a sheltered spot for some tea made our way in the every increasing wind towards Rocky. After skirting around the northern base of Rocky we headed across the Annalong Buttress with a river crossing negotiated on the way. It was then off down to Hares Castle and lunchtime. After lunch we made or way down to the Binnian Tunnel and after a read about the remarkable engineering feat of blasting a 2 mile tunnel through the base of a mountain it was off out through Dunnywater forest to the cars again. Graham |
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Sat 24th Oct 2020
Autumn Walk
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There were 14 Spartans heading off from The Crawfordsburn Inn and out onto the North Down Coastal Path to Helen's Bay. From there we headed into the woods behind and along Lady Helen's Way to Clandeboye Estate and completing the circuit back to Crawfordsburn. The weather was dry after a previous wet and windy night and we were treated to wonderful views of the coast and the autumn colours of the woods. ... and the chat with fellow Spartans was great - as always. |
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Sat 17th Oct 2020
Slieve Martin
Sat 10th Oct 2020
Doan, Meelbeg
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The forecast of settled weather for our walk was a little optimistic as we had plenty of cloud, wind and rain on our walk from a busy Ott car park to Doan and onto Meelbeg. Returning via Fofanny Dam. We had 14 Spartans on the walk and some were involved in a rescue where a lady had become stuck in a hole in the bog between Doan and Slieve Loughshannagh. Even with the rather inclement weather, we still enjoyed beautiful glimpses of Mourne scenery and had the pleasure of enjoying the company and craic of our fellow Spartans. nigel |
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Sat 26th Sept 2020
Leitrim Circuit
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A beautiful day with 8 walkers. We climbed Rocky, Tornamrock rock, wee Slieve maughamore and Slieve maughamore. Tough going up to wee Slieve Maughamore because of the terrain but a great day made by the company and the weather. David |
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Sat 19th Sept 2020
Carnlough Horseshoe
Sat 12th Sept 2020
Dundrum Bay
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4 of us had a great walk today round Dundrum Bay, Murlough, and Newcastle beach. The weather was warm and dry and there was an abundance of wildlife including lots of egrets and seals. We ended with coffee in Newcastle- much enjoyed by everyone. Photo shows us carefully socially distancing during out lunch break! Nonie |
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Sat 5th Sept 2020
Binnian
Sat 29th Aug 2020
Carlingford
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7 of us turned up for the walk in the Carlingford Cooleys - Fiona, Heather, Christine, Helen, Mr David Wiggins (😊) , John Coates and meself.
Not a ‘Pain in the neck walker’ among us ... well maybe one?! We headed for Barnavane looking for the megalithic tomb (which we never found!). After a snack and views that Spartans rarely see (as Barnavane is a ridge summit we have rarely if ever done), we headed for our lunch stop on Slieve Foye. Our newest member John Coates ably led us in the direction of the summit, meanwhile I led from the rear. Lunch was had and after a short map and compass lesson for John the younger from John the much older one, we headed down the steep knee jolting descent of the Slieve Foye. With the odd hint here and there from the leader at the back we made our way down onto the trail into Carlingford again. It was a pretty baltic wind on the hill but dry almost the whole day. I hope a good day was had by all. John (McB) |
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Sat 22nd Aug 2020
Central Mournes
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9 Spartans met at Meelmore Lodge on what was to be a changeable day weather wise with heavy rain in the afternoon. All accounted for we headed off for the first destination Hares Gap. On reaching the Hares Gap we headed off across the Brandy Pad towards our next destination Slieve Beg. After a look down the Devils Coach Road we found some shelter from the increasing winds and had a quick refuel before the ascent up Cove and then Lamagan. So far the forecast rain had not made an appearance. Although not to disappoint it made an appearance in its full glory as we ascended Lamagan and stayed with us the whole way down to Ben Crom Dam which was the lunch stop. Lucky lunch turned out to be a dry affair as we sheltered against the parapet wall of the dam. True to the forecast though as soon as we stood up again the rain started and just to make things a bit more interesting the wind lifted as well. Off we headed up the side of Ben Crom Reservoir towards our next challenge, the 2 river crossings at the top. Thankfully our excellent Northern Ireland summer weather meant that the water level was low enough in the reservoir and we were able to cross both with relative ease and thankfully the rain finally let up a bit. |
Then it was back up to Hares Gap and back out to Meelmore Lodge with thankfully only a small shower on the way out. After 7 hours, 18km, 1100m of ascent and no fewer that 7 river crossings the refreshments at Meelmore Lodge were very welcome. Graham
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Sat 15th Aug 2020
Pot of Legawhirry
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Remarkably, we were punctual for Black Sheep Pete at 10:15, including a bare footed Anna Maria.
From Trassey, the route meandered towards Luke’s mountain with varying visibility till eventually the early morning fog burnt off. Rounding the shoulder of Slievenaglogh the Pot came into focus with steep rock faces and heather covered slopes.Traversing some broken ground we ascended to the Corrie itself for lunch and basked in the sunshine. So far we hadn’t seen a soul except for a bare chested runner. However there was an unprecedented number of huge frogs and even a lizard. Keeping our height, we contoured around Shan Slieve over some tough terrain with clear views of the sparkling blue sea and Newcastle, to Donard forest and the finish. Irene |
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Sat 8th Aug 2020
Commedagh
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An enthusiastic group of 16 walkers set off from a crowded Meelmore Lodge to start our journey to the Green Road. The climb to the wall was strenuous in the unexpected heat of the day. A first break was welcomed to revive and refuel. We climbed Slievenaglogh and Slieve Corragh before the ascent of Slieve Commendagh where a well-earned lunch and rest was taken. We met many groups of walkers along the way and Commendagh was quite crowded as everyone took in the stunning views.
We descended to the Saddle and returned by the Brandy path to Hares Gap and Meelmore Lodge where welcome refreshments and a change of footwear revived us. All day we enjoyed sunshine, blue skies and wonderful views of the Mournes and Newcastle as John and Mairead’s photographs show. A great day was had by all. Distance covered 8.4 miles (13.51 Kilometres) Ascent 2241 feet (683 metres) (14220 steps for those who were counting) Philomena |
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Sat 1st August 2020
Butter
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23 keen hillwalkers turned up at Spelga dam car park to walk the 6.2 mile trip around Butter, Spaltha, Spelga and Craigdoo mountains. We had no problems with parking at the large Spelga car park, but many smaller sites were full.It was great to meet up with old and new faces and a big thank you to all who turned up to walk. Frank |
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Sat 25th July 2020
Spelga Skyline
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Thanks to Davy for leading the walk. Thanks to John for providing a wee bit of competition and congrats to David on winning the grand prize of a Spanish cooking book. Answers were:- Distance - 8.9 km Ascent - 715m Descent - 715m |
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Sat 18th July 2020
Eagle
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Last Saturday 16 Spartans set off from the Attical Community Centre up Sandy Brae to climb up Eagle and then descend to Windy Gap and up to Slieve Moughanmore. The weather was kind to us and the views from the summits were beautiful. We paid £3 per car for car parking and this will go towards the local community. Rachel |
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Sat 11th July 2020
Lough Shannagh Trail
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In Traditional Spartan fashion the walk start time, was as usual, not at the walk start time! Its good to know that from my first ever walk 32 years ago – gulp! they still like to be late and have a good dither 😊.
Eight of us headed up the Banns Road for a gentle start over a track that brings about half way up Slievenalog. Having reached our first summit it was time for our first snack and for Ed to regale us with his wonderful/dodgy day trips to scotland in his plane. All I can say is that Mairead, Elaine (and Rachel) go up in my estimation! I woudn’t rush to get in a plane Ed was pilotting! ☹ Onward, downwards, across the Banns road and upwards in the direction of Carn. A Lunch stop was had before the final stiff climb up to the top. There Ed proceeded to tell us about the dodgy Dotteril a bird where the female leaves the male in the lurch sitting on the eggs and clears off with another male dotteril! Up and down Sleive Loughshannagh with a regroup at the bottom where we decided we could leave Doan for another day. So we headed for Lough Shannagh and onto the banns road for the long walk back to the cars. We walked 15 kilometres (9.3 miles in old money) and did 703 metres of ascent (2306 feet). All and all I think, (I hope!) we all had a good day out. (Thanks to Kim, Noel, Ed, Mairead, Elaine, Denis and Patricia for the craic) P.S. Kim has posted some really good photos on the facebook site. John |
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Sat 4th July 2020
Mournes
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11 persons took part in the walk from Leitrim Lodge on a rather wet day. We climbed Rocky, Tornamrock and Pierces Castle. Then we traversed the red bog in mist to Tievedockaragh and from there to the forest at the top of Yellow River. We descended the river gorge and back via the Ulster way in the valley to Leitrim Lodge. The weather improved on the way back after a 5 hour walk and 13 Kilometres. David |
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Sat 27th June 2020
Dungonnell Way
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First Saturday walk after lockdown. Also my first SRS walk since 7 March. This had been a long time coming and as I drove up in the morning I thought it was a tad unfair as I listened to the weather forecast and contemplated this being a waterproofs on all day job…
True enough that’s how it started out as we made our way along the side of Dungonnell reservoir. Steady rain not the monsoon stuff that was to arrive later. However, as we made our way into the forest the rain actually went off and a little bit of blue sky appeared. We were soon able to peel off some of the layers in the heat which was steadily rising. The downside was the appearance of the wee beasties with the annoying bites and we quickly decided not to hang about! An enjoyable coffee break/early lunch was had around 11.45 at a break outside the tree cover but was still relatively sheltered. We headed over the road that passes through Glen Ballyeamon and up past the waterfall which had less water than expected. Around 1pm, David F said he was looking forward to his lunch and we had to find somewhere to stop. Luckily, the spot that David selected was under some trees as the rain (typically) made an appearance and some SRS had to quickly move from the open to share the cover. It soon passed though and we ambled our way down the remote country road and on down into the village of Cargan. The walk from Cargan back to the cars takes longer than you would think but we finished the walk after around 4 hours and covering 16kms. The weather still allowed some to hang around for a chat before heading off in their cars. Nowhere to go for coffees yet but that day will come too. |
And the rain? Well, as I headed down the road towards Ballymena the sky got very dark indeed and at times my wipers struggled to cope with the deluge. Better that I thought than trying to make your way along some open country road against such elements. Maybe someone was smiling down on the first post lockdown SRS walk after all…..
Thanks to all that came despite the doom and gloom forecast. Derek |
Sat 29th Feb 2020
Kilbroney
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On Saturday 9 brave/ mad Spartans braved Storm Jorge to walk around the Cloughmore Trail in Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor. We managed to shelter at the side of the Cloughmore Stone for a photo. The weather was kind with wind, sunshine and flurry of snow. It only started raining when we got back to the cars. After, we adjourned to a nice coffee shop in the village. Rachel |
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Sat 15th Feb 2020
Killyleagh
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Three hardy (or foolish) members met at Killyleagh Castle. Storm Dennis had put people off, but we started relatively dry. We headed down the muddy track to the old ruined church and Mary's Style. The other two were glad that I could not remember any of Lady Dufferin's poem about the said style. There were interesting headstones on which we could make out dates from the 1600's. Coming out behind the sports field we continued along the main road to get to the footpath to the shore. Fortunately the tide was out when we got to the shore, but Dennis finally made his presence felt and the wind and the rain started. We got to the sea front and walked along until we turned up the road at the edge of the town which leads to the coast and eventually back on to the main Killyleagh Downpatrick road. Delamont Park had been shut due to the weather, but we had our lunch outside the intrepretive centre. Rain persisted but we were entertained by the small birds at the bird feeder. Retraced our steps to Killyleagh the same way we came and treated ourselves to coffee. A wet day but good to get some fresh air. Richard |
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Sat 1st Feb 2020
Sallagh Braes
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The first post- Brexit walk turned out to be a fairly turbulent one. Only 5 Brexiteers turned up and as we sat in a wet and windy car park at Ballyboley forest Davy decided to do a shorter version - a decision which we were all pleased with!! We had a bit of shelter as we walked through the forest but once we were out in the open and heading up Agnew's Hill we certainly felt the full force of the wind and persistent mizzle. We had to wait to return to the shelter of the forest before we were able to have lunch and as we made our way back to the cars the sun did eventually make an appearance but it came too late for the five wet spartans. Thanks Davy. |
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Sat 25th Jan 2020
Divis
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14 of us had a great walk over and round Blackmountain and Divis. Weather was dry but very cold but the views were great. Ended with coffee at the NT cafe . 19,700 steps were walked! Nonie |
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Sat 18th Jan 2020
Bloody Bridge, Chimney
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Sat 11th Jan 2020
Tollymore
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A select 4 Spartans gathered for a walk in Tollymore Forest on a wet and windy Sat morning. Despite this the conversation was good and indeed the weather improved giving nice views of the Shimna River in Spate and eventually the mountains. A warm cup of coffee was enjoyed by all at the end. David |
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Sat 4th Jan 2020
New Year's Walk
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A hearty group of 16 Spartans turned up at Meelmore Lodge to walk off the excess food and drink from Christmas/New Year. The weather was quite fresh as we started out up the lane towards Trassey track and then following the 'green lane' to the wall at Slievenaglogh where we had our first tea-break. We then followed the wall on round to Slieve Corragh and on towards the summit of Commedagh. It was quite misty at the top and the wind was very cold but at least the wall provided us enough protection to have our lunch. We then descended down to the col between Commedagh and Donard and then made our way back to Hares Gap along the brandy pad and back down to Meelmore Lodge for a welcome cuppa - some of us a bit muckier than others!! A great start to the New Year. Marian |
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Mon 30th Dec 2019 - Weds 1st Jan 2020
Donegal
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A few Spartans ended up in the wilds of Donegal for New Year and enjoyed a few fine days for various walks. Some hiked up Errigal - Donegal's highest peak - and were rewarded with a view of a rare brockenspectre surrounding Frank. Others had a very scenic headland walk round the Rosguill peninsula. Another walk was spent in Glenveagh National Park with great views of Muckish and the surrounding hills. A great way to spend the New Year. |
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