Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: whoRya on June 19, 2017
-
Thought I would share a few pics of a recent bivvy I had up on Lurigethan in the Antrim Hills. Lurigethan sits at the NE end of the upland plateau that forms one side of the 'Queen of the Glens' Glenariff. Best viewed from the glen itself it also forms a dramatic backdrop for the villages of Waterfoot and Cushendall.
Starting from the village of Waterfoot we set off on the short journey along minor roads, then farm tracks, which delivered us on to the open mountainside. A steep and steady pull brought us to the top of Lurigethan and to the site of an old promontory fort. We then followed the cliff edge for a few kms to explore a waterfall marked on the map.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4229/35245888102_5d02d7b0c4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VGyozU)
The waterfall has several dramatic drops and is quite a stunning place. We agreed that it would be a great place to spend a few lazy hours on a nice summer's day. It was now dusk and with the failing light we took the cautious approach, leaving the waterfall behind while we could still see our way clearly.
The following are a couple of photos from an earlier walk on Lurigethan.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5774/22622614199_f7e75e18b6_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/At5P3p)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5664/23014842505_7e8c329aa0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/B4K5Rp)
Rain showers passed through some distance to both the north and the south of our location, but it was so far so good for us.
We then set off towards the high point of the plateau, Crockalough (402m). Were it not night time the views would really open from here towards Tievebulliagh to the north and Trostan to the west. Following the high line of the mountain we proceeded in a NE direction back towards Lurigethan. It wasn't long before we found a suitable spot to camp and set ourselves up for the night.
With the chance of a rain shower overnight I got to setting up a tarp over my bivvy. My friend, not owning a tarp himself improvised with a rubble sack and some paracord. The result was well functional if a little amusing to look at.
Cups of tea and entertainment in the form of a firelog saw us through to the wee small hours before turning in.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4248/35348960036_c03bfd1000_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VREEhd)
Improvised tarp
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4243/35221675242_cc72d98f75_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VEqhWN)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4214/35258998561_672a28ae00_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VHHzSi)
Looking across Glenariff to the Garron Plateau
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4209/34545592634_de99288804_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/UCFc97)
The next morning was dry and bright and it seemed a pity to have to go home so soon. A seriously heavy rain shower whilst driving home confirmed that the weather had been more than kind to us.
-
Nice one, looks like a great spot!
-
Brilliant, that's an excellent location, those bivvy photos over-looking the coast are out-standing and it's good to know there's an available water source there.
-
Looks fantastic. I've not been up to the Glens for a few years now. I keep talking about getting up there but not being confident on where to park or where you can camp without some angry farmer turning up puts me off.
-
Looks great up there, cracking views to wake up too ;)
-
Some of the views along the coast and dropping into the glens are fantastic.
You mention the access in the in the Antrim Hills. I got an email today from Walk NI and they mentioned a few new walks opened up in the Antrim Hills/Causeway Coast.
Ronan's Way (http://www.walkni.com/walks/22679/ronan-s-way/) The photos of this look really nice.
Fairhead (http://www.walkni.com/d/walks/22680/Fairhead%20-%20All%20Trails.pdf) I've not walked at Fairhead yet but the walking up there seems quite extensive.
-
That looks like a cracking wee night mate!
well done!