Get Lost Mountaineering

Slieve Snaght (Inishowen) from R244 to North

Start/Finish

Start of track on R244 road from Carndonagh to Buncrana on the Inishowen Peninsula to the north of Derry/Londonderry. This is about 4 miles west of Carndonagh and about 9 miles north east of Buncranna. The grid reference is C 422 430. The track is quite substantial and distinctive. It is possible to park just inside the track.

Distance/Time

9 km.    About 3 – 4 hours.

Peaks

Slieve Snaght, 615 m, C 424 390. (Irish National Grid System)

Irish OS Discovery Series Map 3: Derry & Donegal (1:50000)

Introduction

Slieve Snaght is the largest mountain in Inishowen. It's lower slopes can be quite rough and boggy. This route is probably the easiest to the summit. A bicycle could be used up much of the track. There seems to be no local objection to driving up the main track if your car is high enough off the ground! The tracks are not well shown on the map of the area which is quite basic so this walk is best done in clear weather when the route will be very obvious.

Route

(1) Walk up the track for about 2 km, ignoring all turnings. Look for a track going from this main track up on to the N ridge of Slieve Snaghtbeg. This track is quite rough and rutted but it does take one quite high up. At its end, take to the rough slopes which are steep in places. There is a path in places but it has a habit of disappearing! Try to follow the line of the crest which would not be obvious in mist. Reach a cairn on the N shoulder of Slieve Snaghtbeg then continue to a larger summit cairn. Continue N, descending a little then make the final ascent up moderately steep and mainly grassy slopes to reach a stony plateau with dozens of small cairns but one very obvious and very large shelter cairn. Inside this is the trig point marking the summit of Slieve Snaght, 615 m.

(2) Retrace the outward route.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 3^rd July, 2019.