Slieve League

Roy · Guru

Slieve League

Wellsley · Guru

Hi Roy,

http://mountainviews.ie/summit/285/comment/6463/

Don't forget your camera and to post some pic's here.

Frank

murphy · Guru

Roy,

We parked in the lower car park, because the hill looked daunting. However, it was a fairly strenuous, time consuming hike up there, during which several vehicles went by us, both going up and coming down. In hindsight, I wish we would have drove, as we could have spent the time up there admiring the scenery, that we actually spent treking up and down. I think it looks worse than it really is. IMHO Dan

Michele Erdvig · Host

I've been reading that they are expanding the parking, etc. there. I don't know how far along they are in their plans. But I think you will be okay to go to the higher lot. You can always ask in town or at you B&B. They should know what's going on locally.

Roy · Guru

I'm pretty sure the upper car park is off the table. Neither my wife nor I do very well with heights. The hike doesn't really concern me- after all, we have climbed Croagh Patrick twice now. Last summer on Achill island I was driving towards the cliff walk and my wife got very concerned about the windy narrow road. Granted, the weather was horrible. We hiked up to the Megalithic Tomb instead.

tony2phones · Guru

Just another link with photo's and video

http://thelmaalberts.hubpages.com/hub/Where-To-Visit-In-The-Northwest-Of-Ireland

possibly the boat trip might be an option next time I get up there

http://www.sliabhleagueboattrips.com/

stewh · Guru

Roy

Here is a quote from my 2008 Trip Report:

"On Tuesday we drove to the Slieve League Sea Cliffs. I must say the drive to the upper parking lot was harrowing. The cliffs of course are spectacular, like seeing the edge of the world. I was pleased to do the return drive from the parking lot without meeting an oncoming car and having to reverse; YIKES!"

Maybe the road has been improved but I won't drive it again.

Stewart

Roy · Guru

Stewart,

Thanks for the feedback. I read your trip report. Was the drive to thhe lower car park okay then? My wife has wanted to buy me a tweed jacket for quite a few years- Ardara might be the place.

Roy

stewh · Guru

The drive to the Lower Parking Lot is fine - no driving through the sky. I wish we were going to Ireland this year but Scotland is on the agenda instead.

Bertrand · Veteran Member

We did both last year -- walked it from the lower parking area and then did it by driving to the top. I thought the drive up was fine myself, so may there have been some road improvements. It was a nice way to get up there, especially since the wind was blowing 50 MPH it seemed and would have made walking quite a challenge.

Bert

Green Dragon · Guru

We drove to the upper lot, and really didn't find it very harrowing. Full size busses drive it, and perhaps they have made improvements since some of the others traveled (I went in May 2011). There is still more hiking up to the top, but it is a much shorter journey from the second parking lot.

Roy · Guru

Have a great trip to Scotland!

almoon · Member

Roy, we were just there in April for the second time and didn't find the road as harrowing as it seemed the first time. Just take it nice and slow, stay on your side, and no worries. Since our last drive up, they have installed new fencing, a couple of tables and a few benches where the faint of heart can just sit and admire the amazing view.

I admit that I started walking up the stone pathway to the summit but had a small "fear of heights" attack and came back down. KThat is further than I went the first time, so who knows, I might get to the top of that hill next time!

At the bottom of the hill is a fairly new shop where you can browse for gifts and/or have a bite to eat. We had a pot of tea and a nice scone.

chaika · Veteran Member

We were at Slieve League last spring. walked up to the top parking lot. Cars drove past, but I am not sure I'd want to drive that in the wind. Anyway, walking gives you a closer view of nature. Definitely bring your binocs and I hope your camera has a good zoom. It is very far down to sea level! Looking forward to reading what you find there. May go back there this fall during an ancestry quest in Donegal and give it another look.

Green Dragon · Guru

The view from the top: http://www.greendragonartist.com/Galleries/Small%20Images/Ireland2011/Ardara381.jpg

Michele Erdvig · Host

Hot link: Slieve League

Roy · Guru

Beautiful picture Michele!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Roy,

Yes, Christy took a great photo. She has many more on her website. When you get back you must let us know what you decided to do.

Michele

Roy · Guru

I'm just as interested to find out what I do!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Roy --

Here's a view of the road between the Lower and Upper Car Park -- taken from the Upper side, in June of 2007 ...

http://flickr.com/gp/itallian_chauffeur/3LT395

3LT395

Bob

Roy · Guru

Thanks Bob!

tony2phones · Guru

Love their taste in car, hate their taste in music. Just like driving round here but coastal and a few more passing places. Not for the feint hearted but its a long walk. The sort of thing to do before breakfast or just before supper, you'll get some great sunsets up there.

This trip report on TA at the moment might be of interest.

http://www.tripadvisor.ie/ShowTopic-g186591-i88-k5419630-Achill_Island_County_Donegal_Trip_Report-Ireland.html

-- Edited by tony2phones on Tuesday 15th of May 2012 06:36:28 PM

Carla · Veteran Member

We drove to the upper car park the first time we were there. It was scary, in my opinion. We walked from the lower car park the second time as I was not too keen on driving up again. I am so glad we walked. It was so invigorating to be out in nature like that.

Anyway, here's a link to a Youtube video someone took as they drove to the upper car park. Maybe this will help you decide.

egnolive · Veteran Member

They were fortunate not to meet a car coming down.

Actually it didn't look so bad to me compared to our trip there in 2006. No gate and I don't remember those boulders on the side of the road.

hammsb · Veteran Member

We were there earlier this month and lifted the gate and drove to the upper parking lot. Really didn't seem that bad to us. Was very windy but never felt like we would be in danger. It was late afternoon and we took in the breathtakingly beautiful view from the top and then drove to Teelin Bay and took the boat trip with Paddy Byrne out on the water. What a great captain to take just the two of us out on the last trip of the day. We will never forget that. All of the Irish are so accomodating. "No problem at all" was the nicest phrase we learned this trip.