Slieveanorra

Slieveanorra
County Antrim
The Ulster Way on Slieveanorra
Range:	Antrim Hills
Summit:	1,677 feet D134266 55°4’26"N, 6°13’28"W

Slieveanorra, otherwise known as Orra More is a hill of 1,676 feet in County Antrim, amongst the Antrim Hills. It is to be found near the village of Loughguile.

The hill is in the west of the Antrim Hills and one of the famed Nine Glens brushes its flanks. On its north slopes rise many of the burns which create the Glenshesk River which runs northwards and goes on to carve Glenshesk, while burns off its eastern slopes feed Glendun. On its west side rises the Bush River, which reaches the sea at Bushmills.

The name of the hill is from the Gaelic Sliabh an Earra, which means "Mountain of the ridge", while its alternatve name, 'Orra More', means "Great ridge".

The mountain sits above Slieveanorra Forest. The Moyle Way section of the Ulster Way runs over its summit.

Ascent

The mountain is easily accessible, on the Moyle Way. A usual starting point is at the lay-by where the Moyle Way crosses the Orra Scenic Route drive between Magherahoney and Cushendall, from which point a gravel track leads up through the forest to the open mountainside.

The summit, marked by a small cairn and a pair of unfortunate radio installations, provides fine views across the Antrim Hills and beyond. On a clear day the Sperrins and the Donegal hills can be seen in the west, while to the south the view reached across the hills including such peaks as Trostan (the county's highest top) and Slievenanee, and Slemish. It may be possible to see the Mourne Mountains in County Down. Northward close by stands the distinctive shape of Knocklayd, and Rathlin Island out in the sea, while beyond lie the Inner Hebrides and Kintyre: a clear day reveals the Paps of Jura on the horizon.

Outside links

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Slieveanorra)

References

• MountainViews: Slieveanorra