North Polar Challenge |
| Location: Mountain Bike Routes Grade: D - Length: 25m |
| First ascent: Alan Tees |
| Route Description: |
| Containing an unusually large amount (for Ireland) of non tarmac biking, and great views, this route is a real cracker! In effect it is a largely “off road” circuit of the distinctive Bulbin Hill, visiting remote communities tucked away amongst spectacular mountain scenery. The North Pole Bar is the hub of a very active cycling club based at Drumfries, (evidenced by the many “Cyclists” Signs thereabouts!) If open, stop for a pint, coffee or whatever! Start at the North Pole Bar, Drumfries, on the Buncrana/Carndonagh road (Sheet 3, Gr C 385 390) on Inishowen. Follow to R286 towards Clonmany, past a lake on your RHS, and turn left at Gr 379 412 on the L6881, climbing steadily to a junction at Lough Shivnagh (approx half an hour) on the fringes of the wind farm. Turn right, then left, and cruise pleasantly downhill, by Glasmullan, on a gravel track, to Owenerk. After crossing a river, look for two cottages on your right. In between, is the track you need, at Gr 331 410, not obvious, as you have to go through two farm gates at the side of a cottage, to access it. If the cottage is occupied, it might be courtesy to ask permission (although I understand this is a council road) but in any case, make sure you close all the gates, including a third further up the track. Uphill at first, the track just gets better and better, through this remote glen, finally sweeping down to Effishmore. Metres before hitting the road, double back through what looks like a farmyard, and cross the Ballyhallan River, to meet up with another track coming down from Bulbin at Gr 351 429. Keep left, then first right through Clonmany Glebe (back on tarmac at last) and descend northwards, forking right at Gr 369 444, and first right again at Gr 374 451, then first left through the intricate lanes of Gortnamona. Climb steeply up past some houses, ignore the turn to the right, and continue down to join the yellow road, turning SE then NE to meet the main R258 at Gr 388 448. Turn right, and after a couple of hundred metres, where the main road swings right, keep straight on, up the hill, and around the shores of L.Fad. Meeting the main R244 at Gr 404 424, turn left, and first right, back onto bog tracks. Ignore the first track to the right, and continue to just beyond a fly tipping site (Ugh!), where you will pick up a good track on your right, running SW, straight over the back of Barnanmore (A volcanic Plug), and under Sl Snaght, through a couple of gates, and descending to the car at the North Pole Bar. This route can be linked to the previous one “Swann’s Loop” to make an outing of some 5 hours. 3 hours 25 Kilometres Terrain. Mainly gravel tracks. One substantial climb early in the route (200m approx.) |
 North Polar Challenge - Mountain Bike Route |
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Route Number: 2739