Colin Glen to Cavehill 24.03.17

[specimanYak]

Absolutely stunning weather at the week-end so it was time to tick another trail of the list. I've always wanted to walk around the hills and ridges of Belfast so with that in mind I set off on Friday for a hike through the Colin Glen up to Black Mountain for an overnight camp then on to Cavehill.
(Music is 'Gentles Yard' by Belfasts 'Documenta'.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOCE377_nqQ

[torp]

Nice one Yak and right on your doorstep too, also see you took your pop up tent again 

[Glenn B]

Well done chum another box ticked, the weather over the weekend was class, good to see someone take advantage of it. Another great wee vid also   

[specimanYak]

Thanks guys, waking up early in the tent to weather like that and knowing you've got the rest of the day strolling around out-doors is a sublime feeling.

[torp]

Thanks guys, waking up early in the tent to weather like that and knowing you've got the rest of the day strolling around out-doors is a sublime feeling.

[whoRya]

That is just brilliant Yak.  A great walk and a fantastic camp.  I had an interesting chat with someone recently who would be active with the Belfast hills.  The Wolf Hill section seems to be just an awkward part of that walk.  There is real potential for that route.  Ligoniel would be well placed to benefit from offering hospitality on the route etc. A Belfast Hills 'rambler' bus service could have a few stops along the way helping linear walkers return. 

[specimanYak]

Thanks G, it was a fantastic hike and a great way to see out-standing views of the city, surrounding area and the varied terrain along the way. It was only 25 kms (15 miles) so spread out over the two days it was a breeze, I was in no rush though. I'm surprised that there isn't any sort of 'rambler' service around the hills, even to offer tourists and folks a quicker way to see the views. I really like that Wolf Hill section, lol, it's awkward but adds a bit more of a challenge.

I went back on Friday and starting at Wolf Hill walked back the other way and camped up on Divis for the night (it was a bit wetter than last week!) before heading back down to the Colin Glen, it was a great way to familiarise routes and find other ones.

That is just brilliant Yak.  A great walk and a fantastic camp.  I had an interesting chat with someone recently who would be active with the Belfast hills.  The Wolf Hill section seems to be just an awkward part of that walk.  There is real potential for that route.  Ligoniel would be well placed to benefit from offering hospitality on the route etc. A Belfast Hills 'rambler' bus service could have a few stops along the way helping linear walkers return.

[RedLeader]

What's the route like from Black Mountain to Cave Hill? I had heard there was no proper route between and the only way was through private land. I could be wrong though.

[specimanYak]

There's no actual designated route between the hills which is surprising over-all. From Black Mountain the route meanders down past the old disused army base which I don't think is private land any more. Follow the Wolf Hill Road up til it joins the Ligoniel Rd, then turn left and up a steep bit to the Ballyutoag Rd, turn of at the Flush Rd then follow the road that takes you up to the radio mast on Squires Hill. From here, I did have to cross over a few fields on 'private' land, past the quarry and down onto the Upper Hightown Rd then on to Cavehill.

What's the route like from Black Mountain to Cave Hill? I had heard there was no proper route between and the only way was through private land. I could be wrong though.