Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Hiking, Walking, Running, Orienteering and Geocaching => Topic started by: Martin on May 20, 2015

Title: Old knees, new gaiters
Post by: Martin on May 20, 2015: So back when I introduced myself, Redleader suggested the Antrim Hills as a fine local stomping ground. Last weekend I threw caution to the wind and set myself the challenge of walking from Ballyboley forest outside Larne to Glenarm, over the hills. Ambitious, but I wanted to see how I'd cope at long(ish) distance.

The answer was... surprisingly well. After a week of rain the ground was seriously boggy, so the new gaiters were a wise move. I'd drawn up a route plan with guesstimated timings, and I wasn't far off, so that was good. But I hadn't packed anything like enough grub, and skipped breakfast, and my energy levels towards the end (say, from Black Hill on) weren't great.

Fantastic views, though, and encounters with wildlife (and one masochist who ran past me on Ballygilbert Hill - what's wrong with these people?!?!?) The downhill into Glenarm was murder on the knees, but the big trickly pint in the village was reward enough.

Some pics...

Into the woods (http://i.imgur.com/OXskUZe.jpg)
Hills behind me (http://i.imgur.com/0t544j9.jpg)
Cairn (http://i.imgur.com/JJjWnDd.jpg)
Ancient Ireland (http://i.imgur.com/QotWKDb.jpg)
Strange ground - anyone have an explanation for this formation? (http://i.imgur.com/dY6UxI8.jpg)
Sallagh Braes (http://i.imgur.com/j0ccQoe.jpg)
Larne Lough from Sallagh Braes (http://i.imgur.com/QuLUebt.jpg)
Standing stone (http://i.imgur.com/XyfV5C3.jpg)
Title: Re: Old knees, new gaiters
Post by: whoRya on May 20, 2015: Brilliant Martin, some lovely shots there. I bet that pint was sweet after the walk. I'll be up there this weekend for a bit, I'd take the weather you got!
Title: Re: Old knees, new gaiters
Post by: spynappels on May 20, 2015: Looks like an awesome walk Martin, well done!
Title: Re: Old knees, new gaiters
Post by: Martin on May 21, 2015: Cheers guys. Yes, blessed by the weather after all the rain. Next up, I think, an overnight wild camp, maybe in Ballyboley, and get a chance to explore the forest more thoroughly.
Title: Re: Old knees, new gaiters
Post by: RedLeader on May 21, 2015: Great stuff, the Antrim Hills are lovely - you got some cracking pictures. How far was the total trip and how long did it take?
Title: Re: Old knees, new gaiters
Post by: Martin on May 21, 2015: Ballyboley to Glenarm is what, about 12 miles as the crow flies? I kicked off from Ballyboley about 8.45, got into Glenarm just before three, so about 2mph...!