The 4 Most Amazing Peaks around Ballynacraig

As soon as you cross the gentle ridge of Slieve Gullion, the North Cairn stretches out before you - a slightly smaller hill than its southern neighbour, but no less impressive. The stones that gather here seem like silent sentinels, witnesses of the distant Bronze Age. Two ancient stone boxes were once found here during excavations, which lay hidden in the depths of history. The North Cairn, with its diameter of around 18 metres, invites you to pause for a moment and enjoy the peace. But it is not just the Cairn that is fascinating. Right next to it lies "Calliagh Beara's Lough", a quiet mountain lake that, according to legend, is the home of the witch Beara. On a clear day, the sky is reflected in the calm waters and you can almost feel the ancient magic of this place coming to life. The road here may be rocky, but the landscape rewards with sweeping views and a touch of mysticism that makes Slieve Gullion something special.

A tough climb but great views from the top!

At the highest point of the Black Mountain you are greeted by spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and the Irish Sea.

At the heart of the Ring of Gullion AONB, you'll find this beautiful mountain, which represents the highest point in the county with an elevation of 573 meters (1,880 ft). Right next to it there is a burial cairn.

Slieve Gullion, whose name sounds as poetic in English as "Sliabh gCuillinn" in Irish, rises majestically in the "Ó Fiaich Country" in the south of County Armagh in Northern Ireland. At 573 meters high, it not only hides a geological wonder in the form of an extinct volcano, but also the highest Passage Tomb in the British Isles. This passage tomb is particularly mysterious because its entrance is aligned exactly towards the point where the sun sets on the winter solstice. The best place to start your hike is from the Slieve Gullion viewing platform, where there is not only plenty of parking, but also space to stay overnight in a motorhome. From there a clearly marked path, demarcated by a staircase of large rocks, leads to the South Cairn. The transition between the South Cairn and the North Cairn is soft and wet, making the path a true nature experience. However, it should be noted that the descent from the North Cairn back to the viewing platform is rather steep and not always clear. From the summit, hikers are treated to a breathtaking panorama. The view sweeps over the landscape all around and you quickly understand why this area has been classified as an "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". The "Slieve Gullion Forest Park" landscape protection area extends over large heath areas on the sunlit mountain slopes. For those who want to experience the full spectrum of this stunning area, there is the 57km long waymarked Ring of Gullion Way. A 13 km long section of this circular hiking trail, the “Slieve Gullion Walk”, leads from the car park at Meigh directly to the summit and back again.

Wikipedia (Clermont Carn (Irish: Carnán Mhaighréid Náir), 2022-11-03): https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clermont_Carn Wikipedia (Clermont Carn transmission site, 2022-11-03): https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clermont_Carn_transmission_site Wikipedia (Cooley Mountains, 2022-11-03): https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooley_Mountains MountainViews.ie (Clermont Carn, 2022-11-03): https://mountainviews.ie/summit/434/ - Viewpoint (Carlingford Lough, Dundalk, …) - Transmission site (2RN (RTÉ Networks), Saorview, …) - Neolithic burial cairn

The climb up the north side of Black Mountain challenges you right from the start - the first half kilometre feels like a wall before it levels out a bit. But don't be fooled, there's a final kick just before the summit that will make your legs feel what they've done. Once at the top, you'll be rewarded with impressive views of the surrounding countryside that will make you feel like you're standing on top of the world. The route itself runs right along the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, which creates a special atmosphere. Keep warm in changing weather and be prepared for sudden showers - the wind can pick up quickly up here. The descent requires some caution, as some parts are steep and the tarmac isn't always perfect. But that's what makes it so appealing - an adventure worth it and an experience to remember.

The highest Passage Tomb in the British Isles is located on the summit of Slieve Gullion at 573 meters. The passage grave can be entered through a niche that is oriented towards the point where the sun sets on the winter solstice. The view from the extinct volcano is fantastic all around.