Trek Report: Slieve Doan Invitational Hike

On Saturday 29th August 2020, our walking group welcomed along a number of new faces for our annual invitational hike. This time round, we decided to take a quick jaunt up Slieve Doan and were fortunate to get some great weather following a week of wind and rain. This trek was originally intended to be a sunset expedition but was changed to a morning start instead.

Ryan Hadley, one of our ‘new regulars’, shared a bit about the day…

What can I say? From start to finish the weather was lovely: the sun was shining and we felt a fresh (and early) autumnal wind as we trekked Doan. There were lots of new faces – numbers were up, which is good to see!

Shortly after meeting at Ott car park, our leaders went right to work separating us into smaller groups (the safety of our members is our top priority); groups then took off at intervals. Everyone was in high spirits – Doan was our goal for the day and we began by heading up Ott track towards the col between Slieve Loughshannagh and Carn Mountain. We also had a minor discussion about the proper pronunciation of ‘Doan’ – glad we got that sorted out at the start!

Everything went as it should. We all went at a nice leisurely pace, took our time and stopped every now and again to check everybody was ok (and to admire the scenery along the way, of course).

After crossing the stile we followed a familiar trail along the base of Slieve Loughshannagh, down past Lough Shannagh itself through the turf stacks and finally on up to the summit of Doan.

I don’t know about everybody else, but for me the view from the summit of Doan is what it’s all about. You’re on top of world: stunningly beautiful views in every direction, fresh air in your lungs, and the buzz you get from checking another mountain off the list. If this isn’t living, I don’t know what is!