On Ganiamore Hill, looking north out to sea along Mulroy Bay.

 

Continuing my series of posts from one day out in the Rosguill area of Donegal.  When I had set out that morning, I had little expectation of getting any photos, or even leaving the car, as lightning flashed and the rain poured down.  The skies had cleared however, and in my last post, as I stood at the Harry Blaney Bridge looking across from Fanad to the Rosguill Peninsula on the other side of Mulroy Bay, I began to consider getting a bit of hill walking in.  I could see Ganiamore Hill, looking inviting, across the narrow point of the bay.  Although there were still dark and threatening clouds in several directions, it was beautifully sunny over the hill.  At just 207 meters high, it was small enough that if I saw storms approaching, I could get down fairly quickly – I had no desire to get caught out on an open hillside in lightning!  So, I took the short drive across the bridge and along the Rosguill Peninsula, parking beside the Singing Pub on the eastern side of the hill, and started up the steep slope.

 

Starting out towards the steep slopes of Ganiamore Hill.  Ahead was a false summit – beyond, the hill leveled out for a short distance, before another brief but steep climb to the summit.

 

Darker skies to the southeast – a reminder that a quick descent could still be required.

 

The steep slopes meant that I was gaining some height quickly, with already magnificent views behind me to the east over Mulroy Bay towards the length of the Fanad Peninsula.  I steered right of some small cliffs below a flat section about halfway up the hill.

 

Making my way around the small cliffs.

 

 

 

Arriving near the top of the small cliffs.

 

The summit now visible ahead.

 

On the flat area between the two steeper parts of the walk, looking north to the smaller Crocknasleigh hill and Melmore Head.

 

 

 

Looking east to stormy skies above Fanad, with the mountains of Inishowen beyond.

 

You can see the Harry Blaney Bridge crossing the bay in the distance.

 

 

 

An escaped Donegal flag on the hillside.

 

Having crossed the short, flattish area, there was another brief steep climb before reaching the top.

 

 

 

 

 

The final steep section was enough to leave me out of breath, but it wasn’t far, and the summit soon came into sight, marked by a trig pillar and cairn, near a small communication mast.  At the top, the views opened up, and what a vista lay below me – all of north Donegal laid out, looking stunning under alternating blue skies and black thunderclouds!

 

The trig pillar and summit cairn.

 

The views were amazing for such a short climb, and I spent a long time at the summit, slowing turning and taking in the sights.

 

Looking south towards Downings and golden beaches, with stormy clouds intruding from the west.

 

West to Horn Head.  There was some detritus from the erection of the communication mast lying around the cairn.

 

 

 

Looking across Sheephaven Bay to the west of the peninsula.

 

Some places were still clearly feeling the effects of the rain and lightning that I had experienced earlier in the day.

 

 

 

A harbour on the east side of the peninsula.

 

 

 

Looking inland, south along the peninsula, with Mulroy Bay to the left, and Sheephaven Bay on the right.

 

 

 

Towards Horn Head, with Tory Island on the horizon.

 

 

 

 

Eventually, I started to make my way back down, with views towards Fanad all the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passing the Donegal flag again on the way back down.

 

 

 

 

Almost at the bottom again, and I found one more thing to photograph as I passed through a carpet of orchids.

 

 

 

 

That was it for Ganiamore, but I couldn’t believe the weather I was continuing to get despite the start to the day and the surrounding storms, so I decided to make the best of it and keep exploring…