Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Hiking, Walking, Running, Orienteering and Geocaching => Topic started by: andy1984 on February 08, 2010

Title: Antrim Hills
Post by: andy1984 on February 08, 2010
Hi all,


I'm thinking of heading up to the mourne hills this weekend if weather is ok. Its very close to me (20 - 30min drive).

I've done the long walk around glenariffe but would like something a little more challenging!!

Any ideas of any good off road routes?

cheers

Andrew.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: MG1 on February 08, 2010
We camped in Glenariff a couple of weeks back and went up Troston which was pretty good, the snow was waist high.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: andy1984 on February 08, 2010
would that be a tough enough wee walk to do in one day?

Where abouts did u park?
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: 666_pack on February 08, 2010
at the enterance of the forest park you can follow the moyle way pretty much to the summit
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: billy backpack on February 08, 2010
The Antrim Hills are pretty much on my back door and I think they offer endless possibility's (even though they don't have the height of the Mournes).

There are plenty of little gems to be found from discrete overnight spots to routes that could be made as long and as short or as challenging as one wants.......................

I think we should arrange another meet to explore them further.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: andy1984 on February 08, 2010
Quote
I think we should arrange another meet to explore them further.

sounds good!  ;D

Have you any suggestions billy of any must do routes to get me and the girl started in antrim hills?

where abouts are you billy? i'm just outside ballymena
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: billy backpack on February 08, 2010
where abouts are you billy? i'm just outside ballymena
[/quote]

I live in Larne,

There's a walk I've been wanting to do that starts before Glenariff / Waterfoot to "The hidden village" of Galboly. I don't think it's a really strenuous or long walk but would be really interesting to see this deserted village.

There's loads of different routes from Antrim Hills Way to The Moyle Way but I usually just do my own thing. ;D
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: chris on February 08, 2010
where abouts are you billy? i'm just outside ballymena

I live in Larne,

There's a walk I've been wanting to do that starts before Glenariff / Waterfoot to "The hidden village" of Galboly. I don't think it's a really strenuous or long walk but would be really interesting to see this deserted village.

There's loads of different routes from Antrim Hills Way to The Moyle Way but I usually just do my own thing. ;D
[/quote]

A hidden deserted village? like a ghost town? is there a story behind it?
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: 666_pack on February 08, 2010
Ghost town ;D I'm in......I'll just fire up the mystery machine and pack some scooby snacks ;D
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: Spark on February 08, 2010

A hidden deserted village? like a ghost town? is there a story behind it?
[/quote]

The building of the Antrim
Coast Road greatly improved
communications for the people
of the glens and made travel for
visitors less hazardous. Before
the road was built, a narrow and
rough track passed through the
wooded slopes above the coast
and Highwaymen, probably based
at the now deserted village of
Galboly, tucked out of sight above
Garron Point, were reported
to rob and murder travellers,
especially between Carnlough
and Cushendall. It was also at a
wooded spot not far from Garron
Point that the last wolf in Ireland
was reportedly shot in 1712. The
Coast Road therefore and the
country railroads that followed,
revolutionised access to the
glens for day-trippers and other
travellers keen to absorb the
magical atmosphere of a region
for so long sheltered from the
outside world.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: billy backpack on February 08, 2010
It does sound good however I suspect one would need to employ a little imagination also.

I am also interested in visiting some of the ancient woodland in the Glens such as Breen Wood as many of the areas are deemed to be young forest (like Balyboly), I think the diversity of fauna and wild life during the different seasons would be amazing and especially so for the photographers among us.

Perhaps some of the bushcrafters could join us and give some demonstration of the resources available in such places.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: Spark on February 08, 2010
It does sound good however I suspect one would need to employ a little imagination also.



? ???
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: billy backpack on February 08, 2010
The deserted village and talk of highwaymen and robbers ........... you know what peoples expectations can be like. :-\
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: Spark on February 08, 2010
lol with you now, thought you ment about the village being hidden, cos if you google images its not that hidden........lol  ::)
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: billy backpack on February 08, 2010
LMAO................ as usual confusion reigns
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: Spark on February 08, 2010
LMAO................ as usual confusion reigns


Well as of sat morning i am now blonde so i cant let the side down now can i.....!!! lol
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: 666_pack on February 09, 2010
http://www.antrimhistory.net/content.php?cid=614
(some info on the town)


I like the sound of this any dates in mind?
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: billy backpack on February 09, 2010
As usual it all depends on how everyone is fixed re work, home and other commitments.

I've wanted to go look for a while now and just haven't gotten around to it but if enough people are interested, any time soon.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: 666_pack on February 09, 2010
ideally I'd like to leave it till the end of feb if that suits?
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: RedLeader on February 09, 2010
Are we talking day or overnighter?
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: 666_pack on February 09, 2010
i vote overnight ;D
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: RedLeader on February 09, 2010
Thought you might :D I'm game but where can you camp up there? Was different in the snow when no-one was about. (Although I can't do the weekend of the 27th)

i vote overnight ;D
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: 666_pack on February 09, 2010
how about we see who wants to go then worry about the date.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: RedLeader on February 09, 2010
All good.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: billy backpack on February 09, 2010
Thought you might :D I'm game but where can you camp up there? Was different in the snow when no-one was about. (Although I can't do the weekend of the 27th

i vote overnight ;D

There's loads of places to put down for the night ......... As ever I'm up for the overnight.

So who else is interested ?
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: chris on February 09, 2010
i'll get the steaks in ;)
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: suspectmonkey on February 09, 2010
I'm up for another overnighter, depending on the dates.  Got a nice new Go-Lite Quest (http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/product204.asp) to play with :)
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: Spark on February 09, 2010
Me.................
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: Kat on February 10, 2010

Well as of sat morning i am now blonde so i cant let the side down now can i.....!!! lol
[/quote][/b]

Blondes r best! ;)

I'm up for overnighter!




Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: ulsterwalker on February 10, 2010
The house in the bottom right of this pic don't look that old  ???

(http://www.antrimhistory.net/upload/editor/galballyresized.jpg)

Aye sounds fairly interesting, can I ask for the smoke from the campfire to blow in the other direction this time?
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: billy backpack on February 10, 2010
How's about looking at dates for this ........ Does Saturday 6th March sound unreasonable ?
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: suspectmonkey on February 10, 2010
How's about looking at dates for this ........ Does Saturday 6th March sound unreasonable ?

Sounds good to me... no Six Nations that weekend so wont miss any of it :)  Not that I would consider putting televised sport ahead of a couple of days in the hills... ;)
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: billy backpack on February 11, 2010
Any more thoughts on this one re dates or does the 6th suit the majority ?
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: 666_pack on February 12, 2010
sorry guys I'm gonna have to bail on this one I have just got to much on.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: RedLeader on February 12, 2010
Has a route and campsite been decided and if so, how far are we talking? I'd guite like to get the small boy out for a weekend.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: Spark on February 12, 2010
6th ok with me..............
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: andy1984 on February 15, 2010
Hi Guys

I done trostan on sat. Weather was perfect, hardly any wind and sun shining.

Set off from glenariffe forest, following the moyle way up through the forest and then on up to trostan.

Easy enough wee walk, great views from the top!
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: RedLeader on February 15, 2010
How long was the round trip and was there a path to follow?
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: andy1984 on February 15, 2010
well it took us about 4.5hrs because it was such a nice day we made it last with  a longish lunch break at the peak, freq stops during the walk to take pics, look at views etc... i'd say if you could easy take a hour off that.

The first section is gravel path. then you go onto just a few marker posts over rough ground. There is a kind of trail just where other ppl have been walking but i'd say take a map and compass just to confirm your on the right direction, is a nice little walk, bit of eveything, gravel paths to warm up, then through the forest (off the path) then open hill side to the summit. a easy walk compared to the mournes.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: Kirth on February 15, 2010
I would be interested in going to this but might be only able to make it a day trip, is it possible to meet up and then shoot on back, or leave my car at another point, or is it too remote?
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: RedLeader on February 15, 2010
It's not a huge area so there's a good chance you could just do a day walk as long as you didn't mind walking back on your own.

I would be interested in going to this but might be only able to make it a day trip, is it possible to meet up and then shoot on back, or leave my car at another point, or is it too remote?
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: suspectmonkey on February 28, 2010
Any one still interested in this?  I'm keen to get out for another overnighter, and also quite keen to get camping somewhere different so Antrim Hills would be great.  That said I'm still not sure how I'm fixed for this coming weekend and I think the following weekend is Mothers Day.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: billy backpack on February 28, 2010
How's it goin ... just back from the Antrim Hills, was out today with J and our 2 boy's for a recce of potential overnight spots.

There's pretty deep snow in the hills around the Antrim Hills Way and from what we could see The Moyle Way also and that obviously includes Glenariff and Trostan.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: suspectmonkey on February 28, 2010
There's pretty deep snow in the hills around the Antrim Hills Way and from what we could see The Moyle Way also and that obviously includes Glenariff and Trostan.

Excellent, seeing its Spring tomorrow though presumably that will all be melted by mid afternoon ;D

Did you find any good spots for camping?  I was looking at the Moyle Way on the WalkNI website, would be good if we could do some of that route starting at the Glenariff side and taking in Trostan.  What about Slieveanorra Forest, would you get away with camping in there, or is Glenariff the best spot?  I'm guessing it would be safe enough to leave the cars in Waterfoot village?
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: billy backpack on February 28, 2010
I don't think there should be any probs sorting safe parking ..... There's plenty of sneaky spots for a quick overnight. On the last trip to Glenariff and Trostan we found a great place the only draw back was space for any more than 2-3 tents but having said that it was pitch black, and real cold with deep snow and it suited the purpose.

I suppose the best thing would be to agree where and when and then decide the overnight point... how far do you want to walk ?

Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: andy1984 on March 01, 2010
I attempted Trostan on Saturday morning!

maybe 4-6 inchs of snow on the path right from the start! Quickly rose to maybe 12 - 16inchs very tough going even on the paths!!

by the time  we got up through the forst it was up as far as your thigh, more in places, sinking right in full depth of legs!

We exited the back on the forest and push on up trostan a bit but turned back, the depth of snow was getting ridiculous! and it was starting to snow with a hard wind!

still a good walk though  ;D
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: suspectmonkey on March 08, 2010
Had mentioned this to a few people on Saturday, but wondering if any one would be up for an Antrim Hills overnighter for St. Patricks Day?  Would be thinking of heading up on the Tuesday night (16th) after work and camping overnight, followed by a bit of a walk on St. Patricks Day which is Wednesday 17th.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: chris on March 08, 2010
I'm still up for that.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: RedLeader on March 08, 2010
I'll try for the overnighter but I'll at very least make the walk the next day. You should start a thread in the Meets section and attach it to the calendar.

I'm still up for that.
Title: Re: Antrim Hills
Post by: billy backpack on March 08, 2010
As it's close to home I'm still very much up for it.