Nothing beats the views from this route on a sunny day. It is possible to see all the way to Wicklow in the south and to Carlingford Lough (with views of Newry, Warrenpoint and Rostrevor) and the Mournes to the north. Starting and finishing at sea level, it is a challenging walk, despite never going over an elevation of 600m. The full walk, as described here, takes in six summits. For anyone interested in summiteering (mountainviews.ie), these are: two Arderins: Slieve Foye (587m) and Eagle’s Rock (530m); two Carns: the Raven’s Rock (457m), which is actually the Split Rock or Slé Rua, and the Foxes Rock (404m); a Binion: Barnavave (350m); and an Arderin Beg: Slieve Foye NW Top (548m). Slieve Foye is also a county high point (Louth). In addition to the spectacular views, the Cooley peninsula is home to the epic tale of the Cattle Raid of Cooley, which tells of a battle over the Brown Bull of Cooley between Queen Méabh of Connacht and the champion Cú Chulainn from the Kingdom of Ulster. In addition, it is said that Slieve Foye takes its form from the body of the sleeping giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill. Pictured this page: Hillwalk route around the Cooley Mountains, Co Louth. Map: EastWest Mapping Previous page: Yvonne Cotter (left) and Anne Morrissey at Goalyin Pass with Slieve Foye in the background. Photo: Anne Morrissey collection MOUNTAIN LOG HILLWALK ROUTES 37
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