Once again I stayed relatively close to home for this hike, which happened to fall on my birthday. The Vinegar Hill Loop in County Tyrone is one of a small number of waymarked routes in the heart of the Sperrin Mountains. It's largely on farm tracks with sections on public but quiet roads. I hadn't walked it before but had … Continue reading Sperrins Photo Blog: Vinegar Hill Loop
In my review of my most memorable hikes and cycles of 2016, I included Vodno Mountain which overlooks Macedonia's capital, Skopje. It was such a worthwhile experience, and I took so many photos, that I thought I'd cover it in a post of its own. Sadly I only had one day in this little known (to people in my … Continue reading Macedonia: Vodno Mountain Hike and Cable Car
I stayed close(ish) to home for my final hike of 2016, with another visit to the Sperrins in my native Tyrone. We chose a linear route on the southern side of the Glenelly Valley, starting with a visit to Lough Ouske, one of the biggest bodies of water in the range. Top image: Canice enjoying the view … Continue reading Sperrins: Lough Ouske to Lough Lark
Part 1 of my year in review included hikes (some in the loosest sense of the word) from Scotland, mainland Europe and Jordan. This second part will cover the rest of my 2016 voluntary redundancy-funded travels in Asia and the US plus my favourite Irish hikes after returning home. Top image: A view of Half Dome … Continue reading 2016 Hikes & Cycles in Review: Part 2
I've been meaning for a while to add a 'year in review' post with photos from my hikes and cycles during 2016. As well as trips within Ireland, these include excursions in mainland Europe, Asia and the US during my voluntary redundancy-funded travels earlier this year. Many of these were short, urban trips or hikes/cycles at tourist attractions. I … Continue reading 2016 Hikes & Cycles in Review: Part 1
This outlier of Donegal's Bluestack range had vaguely been on my radar for years. I finally climbed it at the weekend as part of an annual pre-Christmas hike and get together with some of my hiking buddies. Aghla's rugged bulk rises from the southern shore of the 5km-long Lough Finn, source of the River Finn, … Continue reading Donegal: Aghla Mountain
With the recent snowfall over high ground, I decided to take a midweek trip to the Sperrin Mountains, having not been able to get out at the weekend. The initial plan was to walk a couple of the eastern summits, but on reaching Draperstown I was underwhelmed by the amount of white stuff on these hills. Instead I continued west towards … Continue reading Sperrins in the Snow: Carnanelly
This would be my fourth visit to Trostan, the County High Point (CHP) of Antrim. The most common approaches are from the west and south, via a short detour off the Moyle Way/Ulster Way. These are known for being perpetually wet and laborious though and have given Trostan a bad rep. This time I was accompanying my … Continue reading Trostan: A Longer but More Enjoyable Approach
Needing a midweek mountain fix to clear the head, I drove to the Sperrins to walk the Crockbrack Way. This circular route is one of a number of new/upgraded trails launched in 2015 to help open up the eastern Sperrins area to walkers and visitors. It largely follows long-existing tracks, with a good stretch over open mountain in … Continue reading Crockbrack Way (and a bit of Hudy’s Way)
In September 2015 I spent a very enjoyable few days cycling in the Galloway region (specifically its western half) of southwest Scotland. It's taken a year but here are some highlights in photos. It's a stunning and very underrated area, probably overlooked in favour of the Highlands and Islands, but ideal for a cycling break with its quiet … Continue reading Cycling in Galloway, Scotland: Photo Blog (A Year Late)
Hike Cycle Ireland 