Urris Hills - NW Donegal

[Windy]

2Ist Feb 2015
Urris Hills  - NW Donegal

For those of you  who dont know Donegal very well the Urris Hills are about 25 minutes from Londonderry. and 10 from Buncrana.

The Mamore Gap sits between them.
Saturaday was a bleak day but I had planned it and as you know North West weather changes from hedge to hedge.

You can park at Mamore Gap and choose your walk .

I headed for Croaghcarragh. and walked the spine stopping for a good lunch break .

Under foot is good with a mix of rock and peat .Fantastic views can be seen from both sides.
I dropped down towards the sea and returned in a circular route , total time not more than 4 hours .
Plenty of shelter spots  as the wind can be quite fearsome.
There is an option to do the other side which I will on another day otherwise it would be an early start.
A perfect and challenging days hike .Options to wild camp are plenty. Did not see a water supply but loads of fresh streams , bear in mind sheep are on these hills so could be risky.
There are two lakes up in the mountains , normal peat water .








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[RDeckard]

not too far from me but i've never been, your photos make me want to go though!

[Windy]

Great wee day out or an overnighter all depends on the route

[whoRya]

I've wanted to do the full Raghtin-Mamore-Urris Hills ridge walk for ages.  Being some distance away, it's a trip that would take a bit of planning.  The beauty would be the linear aspect of the walk.  To avoid a 12k walk back along roads you'd either need two cars (a long drive from my neck of the woods) or rely on the good folk of Inishowen picking up a couple of hitch-hikers. 

Thanks for sharing Windy, that looked like a fantastic day you got.

[Windy]

I'd be game would be a great walk. I have maps and a route from an old walks book.

[Windy]

WhoRya I  only live 20 mins away . Need any info etc let us know. Get you Mourne boys up over that Glenshane Pass ..lol

[Rich.H]

I'd be up for this too, I can provide one car at an end point to save on the hitch hiking.

[whoRya]

It would make sense to have a wee get-together.  I've been out of action for a while when it comes to big days in the hills.  I'm hopefully on the turn with that.  But yes, sometime in the near-future I'd up for it.

Up over the Glenshane Pass?  Sure it's only wildlings, white walkers and the odd ranger from the Night's Watch up round those parts