Wild Camping Ireland | Lough Belshade | Bluestack Mountains | Donegal
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- A walk of 23km with 1,000m of climbing. Parking at Lough Eske and following part of the Bluestack Way before heading over 6 tops in the rugged and isolated Bluestack Mountains of Donegal. A stunning wild camp on the shores of Belshade Lough under a clear and frosty sky with the morning sun touching the hilltops at 6.30am. A lovely (if wet) walk out following the Corraber River and I didn't meet a single person😊
The Bluestack Way
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Croaghgorm Mountain
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Lough Belshade
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WW2 Aircraft Crash
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It's always amazing when you come across aircraft wreckage on the hills, partly because the bright aluminium always looks like it was made yesterday, also partly because it is generally left undisturbed and not graffitied or damaged like so many pieces of history are. So good to see some fresh Rowan tree growth, just hope those goats don't get to them too soon!
I think the 🐑 are the real culprits not the 🐐😊 Always good to see some isolated trees in the Irish hills which says there is some hope for a different future. The story of that crash in the Bluestacks is pretty amazing and even more so that some of the aircrew survived. It is strange seeing the wreckage as it seems so out of place up there on the mountain top.
A stunning place to spend the night Gerry! Great you won that bet with yourself too 🎉 I’m always surprised to read that some in other countries don’t get to experience the wildness and solitude that we can access..long may it continue 🤞 Glad you found the GoPro again too! Relief I’m sure (and a pain to retrace your steps!) 🫣 You were treated to some lovely light to enjoy your slow morning 🤩 A lovely hike and camp 👍
Cheers Miriam👍 it certainly lived up to my tropical expectations in most ways except temperature😊 I have said it before that I am continually surprised that I meet no one else in these places even on the weekend. Long may it continue though even here I had worry about restrictions to access which seem to be not present anymore. the morning was stunning and it took me 2 hours to gather my stuff up and be on the way😊
Nothing better than a solo climb. I've been off the climbs three weeks but I'm glad I took a nice break . It makes it more exciting to find a hill to climb .
Thank you for taking us along . The noise of the water is very harsh but it give a contrasting effect with all the weather .
Cheers👍 A break and a chance to recharge or find motivation can be crucial👍 The sound of water in the hills is interesting and it can be deafening one moment and then completely disappear depending on the configuration of the landscape. I love the sound of running water💧
Gerry, you are the master at finding great wild camping spots - no wonder you didn't want to leave. Hard to beat Donegal. Very wild, rugged and quiet. Lovely listening to the running water. I've been hoping for weeks now to get back out hiking but alas everything has conspired against me including covid. There's always next week! Regards, Ashley
Ashley, it was just that I happened to notice a tent down there when I was up higher that put it in my head. It was a superb spot and it was right to linger as long as I could. definitely been used by a few other people though. There is always next week and the week after. I wish you all the best in getting there😊
You literally walk through some great scenery.
Ben you literally ride a motorcycle through some great scenery😊👍
@@gerrymcveigh hahaha.... Great answer 👌🏻
I love the adaptive weather proofing on those boxes by the lake . Electronics and Ireland is such a challenge .
it is like one of those covers you put over your BBQ😊 I am not sure if the hydro scheme is in operation at present and cant find any information about it online.
@@gerrymcveigh it is to do with slowing the water down as it comes off the mountains , increases habitat and wild life. They are measuring points
Class Gerry, brought back memories for me. Myself and a few friends camped in that exact spot back in 2015, though there was five of us all with one man tents so it was a bit of a squeeze 🙂 Nightmare leaving the Gopro behind, I sure there was some choice phrases muttered when you realised! Those noodles were well deserved after that long walk Gerry, I don't know where you get the energy!! Them gave you a good ole stare! Some crackin scenery all the same, that waterfall on the way out, I'm guessing Doonan, was stunning. Would love to go back now but there are too many places to explore and not enough time! Maybe someday! Thanks for sharing again Gerry, ATB.
Cheers Gary👍 I thought it was a spot very few have visited though it seems it is a wee bit busier than that. Not sure how you got 5 tents there though! It is a stunning spot for out of midge season🦟😊 I had actually been thinking about the prospect of loosing a camera and then it actually happened. I was pretty sure it couldn't have fallen with the way I carry it and had thought it would be back on the summit of Croaghbane where I had last used it. There were a few choice words alright and a few ones of relief when it was found😊 Yep it was Doonan Waterfall which is in a well impressive ravine. Always good to keep exploring👍
I came across that exact piece of "fuselage" about 6 months ago and sat for 30mins convincing myself it was a piece of a farmer's trailer or something because of the wood on the inside 😂 I also hiked for 4 hours in the dark recently over the winter from Lough Eske Castle car park to Lough Belshade for a wild camp... that was an experience 😳
Billy, I was surprised to see the that wood was used as part of the fuselage though I suppose it would have been pretty lightweight like the aluminium. I had come across a section of the plane around there a good few years ago was was keeping an eye out for it. That must have been a brilliant (and wet) trip. Being in those places away from any artificial light is pretty magical. Did you camp at the same spot?
A very isolated place to live. Everything about it is rugged and in winter it must be harsh. No wonder people left it in droves for America. Interesting find! The scenery is breathtaking but as you maybe were told by someone before ( if I remember right ) 'You can't live on scenery'! And you never met a soul. Really not a surprise. Take care Gerry.
Look up 'Derryveagh evictions'.
Forever in my mind will the song, 'Wake me up when September ends' by Green Day be associated with it.
Thanks for that L2RV. Those totally uncaring, merciless, greedy, absentee, English landowners have a lot to answer for. -The suffering misery and deaths of so many poor people. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.
That's my go to spot also at Lough Belshade. 🏕️🤫
Shane I thought hardly anyone had been to this spot and it turns out loads of people have😊 It is good hat you wouldn't know there has been much or any traffic and that those camping here are leaving no trace👍
Another great Donegal treck Gerry. What a beautiful place. Thank you
Richard, that was the wild camp site to trump all wild camp sites😊 The Bluestacks are a fantastic range of hills and to meet no one else on my trip was so cool, though not unexpected😊
Great footage. I was up on the other side of the ridge over in Sruell that week. I didn’t see a single soul either only 3 deer when going up Lavagh Beg. Lough Belshade is arguably the most isolated and picturesque lake in the country. I actually came across some bullets from that Sunderland wreckage in a gully NE of the summit a while back.
I usually head onto the Bluestack ridge from the northern side starting from the Old Schoolhouse. I think that is still my favourite approach though it was cool to walk in from the south over some new ground and tops and to know that there is access from Edergole. It is rare to meet others up along the tops, though I have found the summit of Croaghbane busy at times, with 2 or 3 people😊 Lough Belshade has a beauty that is hard to beat - either looking down on its waters or at its shore👍 That was a cool find👍 There is definitely wreckage strewn all the way down the hillside from the actual crash site and memorial and it might be cool one day to follow it down towards Croaghanard Lough.
@@gerrymcveigh Yes it's amazing how far the wreckage has been strewn down towards the Lough, it must have been a huge impact. It would be interesting to see the distance for sure. I always approach from the South as I only live about 15 mins away so it would save me a 40 min journey over to the Reelin valley but that comes at a cost of the bad boggy ground on the south I reckon 😂. Luckily I never had any access issues, I usually give the landowners a friendly chat when I come across them and they've always been obliging. Your videos are great and very informative for anyone keen to explore.
Wild and rugged. Loved the camping spot and the waterfalls. Great video as always!
Donal, wild and rugged just about sums up the Bluestacks👍 It is a superb camping spot and was well worth the effort to get to. I am surprised by how many other people have camped there in the past. I love following rivers, especially those dropping out of the hills with waterfalls😊 Thank you👍
Always love the videos, Gerry. Watched this one with my daughter so I got to share the fun. Thank you👌
Cheers Oran👍 Really cool that you both watched this one👍 It was a super trip and I got to visit a place that had been on my mind for a few years - and it turned out to be just as good as I had hoped😊
What a perfect camp spot and stunning view. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers Christian👍 I think it was pretty much perfect in every way😊
Another great video Gerry, as ever fantastic scenery, sharp crisp images and what a beautiful area .
Cheers Aidan👍 The landscape in the Bluestacks is pretty wild and rugged and it was a good sharp day with a NW wind bringing clear air and a fair few hefty showers😊
Great trip Gerry! Sounds perfect that you had the whole area to yourself! Quite a bit of weather on the first day, but a beautiful morning and clear second day. Wonderful hill views and pretty flowers. Too bad about the GoPro, but it was right where you left it, so that’s a bonus! Very enjoyable, thanks for sharing your trip! 👌🌟🌟👍👍
Cheers Jennifer👍 There is nothing like having a place all to yourself😊
Sure looks like a good place to get out and explore, thanks for the video.
Thank you👍 It is a beautiful place to get out and explore😊
Great to get some new tops in gerry and a waterfall. Wow, almost 80 years that bit of plains been there. A reminder indeed! Well, a perfect pitch if ever I saw one aesthetically to. You do get the beauties. I was right - it was a goodun as stated in your end report. Good going. Mark
Cheers Mark👍 it was a goodun alright😊 It is always good to walk new ground and discover new places, especially those only ever viewed from afar. I have to say that was one of the best camp spots I have ever been to with everything being pretty much perfect. Having some rivers to follow was the icing on the cake😊
@@gerrymcveigh A pleasure as always gerry. Good to hear the trip was a success rivers and all. Have a good weekend.
Well Gerry, I could easily spend several days in that camping spot, simply beautiful ! I certainly hope we can get to meet up in June whilst I`m over there on the bike with the Mrs ! I`m also in Donegal for a week early September camping on my own for a week ! 🏍🏍🏍
Martin, it is a spot that you could easily dwell in as it is so stunning. You never know when paths may cross😊
Beautiful location Gerry. Great content Thank you 😊🧡 See you on the trail (eventually) 😊
The Bluestacks are pretty cool👍 You never know who you might bump into out there😊
Nice spot Gerry. Fair play.
Cheers Patrick👍 It turned out to be a fantastic spot, never sure when drop down to these places and often there is nowhere at all suitable to camp.
Brilliant Gerry really enjoyed the video.Glad to see you back in the tent...🥶🥶
Cheers👍 I tend to bring the tent and bivy if possible so there is a choice depending on the conditions on the ground - the weather forecast is far from right at times in the hills. The tent was the right choice as it gave more warmth though if I was in the bivy I would have been able to stare up at the clear and star filled sky⭐😊
Great video and stunning scenery! Loved your camping spot!!
Cheers Siobhan👍 I love the Bluestacks and I was determined to visit the camping spot after seeing a tent way down there from the hilltop a couple of years ago😊 It seems to be well visited by others which isn't too surprising as it is a picture perfect spot.
Great video Gerry, I camped there 10 years ago during my ML assessment it's a beautiful spot 👍
Cheers Peter👍 I thought it was a wee hidden gem that not many had known about though turns it it has been a bit busier than that😊 It is a beautiful spot and I am sure it hasn't changed much in those 10 years.
My tent will definitely touch that ground 👍.
I'm starting to believe that the hills of Donegal claimed as many British planes in WWII than the Germans.
Chris you wont be disappointed though hopefully any visit will be midge free😊 Not surprising I suppose the number of crashes when you think of how many planes must have been flying over the area back then without the sophisticated navigation they have today.
Great video Gerry, well done.. I always enjoy how you absorb in the surroundings.
Cheers Oliver👍 I think the surroundings were trying to absorb me at times with the wet ground and those hail showers😊 The hills are a great place to clear the mind of all the clutter and be mindful of what is around you👍
Some really nice shots 😁👌
Cheers👍 There was super clarity and visibility with the NW wind and the passing showers created for an ever changing picture🌦😊
Fantastic Gerry! I was up there about a year ago and pretty sure I came across a Mass rock on the east side of the lough. I was also going to camp at that exact spot but soldiered on to finish my hike. Must admit I did tuck into a Bombay bad boy there :-) and spent more time than what I should have just soaking in the solace and scenery. Once again, thanks for sharing. Your videos always illustrate the areas well 👍🏼 lovely.
Cheers Pat👍 That's really cool that you have had the same perspective on that fantastic place😊 It does feel like a really wild and undiscovered landscape. Did you come from Edergole or from somewhere else - I had stayed away from that approach for years as I was concerned about access restrictions though there doesn't seem to be any now.
@@gerrymcveigh started on the Bluestack Way Gerry just off a B&B called Eas Dun ( co-incidentally was suppose to stay here before getting covid for the first time) . I wanted to mix it up a bit so followed a trail to the loughs -
Gulladaf
Anabovin
Lough Inisisland
Belshade
Then the summits Croaghbane, The Ardagneers, Croaghgorm East top before looping back via the Eglish river down to the Bluestack way again. Even managed to sooth my poor feet in a waterfall of the Eglish :-) . It was freezing but worked wonders!
Definitely due another visit soon so will likely be looking on your channel for ideas again ;-)
Pat I headed up that way too and had considered passing by the loughs following a clear bog track off the Bluestack Way, though wanted to get those 2 SW tops of Croaghgorm. I think exploring the loughs might be for another visit👍 Plenty of options and variations.
Cracking spot mate. Looked at brilliant camp
Cheers James👍 It was a cracking spot, made even better with the calm and cool conditions and no midges😊
@Walking & Wild Camping In Ireland midges are definitely a game changer
Great video, I was there 2 years ago and didn't see 1 person witch was great. That was a class wee Camping spot you had 👌
Cheers Adrian👍 it is a stunning area for hiking and wild camping, partly because it is so quiet👍
Great spot you found Gerry. Beautiful area.
It was a cracking spot👍 and the Bluestacks are glorious for walking. How is the foot?
@@gerrymcveigh foot is hopeful mended. I hope to get out on the mountains soon!!
Great vid. 👍
Cheers👍 It was a cool trip, without the need for snowshoes❄😊
Great location and a spot with a private beach, how cool is this! Sadly I can’t do so much wild camping in Germany coz all the regulations....but, any, if I’m looking for a little adventure I’ll able to find 😉
Cheers Armin👍 Come to Ireland or Scotland😊 Even here there is an increasing trend for those who own the land to restrict access for a variety of reasons - including due to those who don't respect the land that they are given permission to use for walking or wild camping. I find if you are far enough out of the way there are few people to take an interest😊
Back in the Bluestacks! I have a copy of Robert Bernen's 'Tales from the Bluestacks' on my bookshelf and can only imagine having that place entirely to yourself.... Once you get up into the hills off the access trails/ tracks is it pretty much open access? Hope you enjoyed those ales!
Steve, it is a pretty special feeling to think or even know you are the only person there😊 It is open access on the hillsides and it is a place that doesn't have many fences - there is one over the summit of Croaghgorm with a stile for crossing. I did enjoy the ales😊
Bluestack is ❤
I would even go as far as❤❤❤😊
@@gerrymcveigh the whole island North or South is amazing, spoilt for choice here. Have you ever been through Wales? Wouldn't mind checking it out.
Nope, though Snowdonia looks amazing👍
What a fantastic location, I’ll have to check it out sometime. I don’t know how you fit everything into a small backpack
David, it was a brilliant location, worth wrecking my knees for on that steep descent to get there before darkness😊 I still have space in my backpack - what are you bringing with you?😊
Great way to live, keep on the hills 👍🏻
Definitely😊
Nice video again
Cheers yet again Noel👍 That was a cool trip walking new ground in the Bluestacks and finding a superb camp spot😊
Hi Gerry 👋🏻
Hi Ben👍 Thanks for stopping by😊
@@gerrymcveigh always a pleasure. I've just bought some camping gear for session 2. Solo motorcycle camping.
Hey hallooo from germany ! I wanna visit that fantastisch country ı like very much your folk and traditional music ! Can you guide me about that , ı wanna learn all of things about this country :///
Mustafa, Ireland is a beautiful country - watch more UA-cam videos to learn more, that is what I do😊
Have you got any gear videos Gerry? What you take on your hikes 😊
Here is one I prepared before 😊 ua-cam.com/video/sYv7c5yRRPc/v-deo.html
@@gerrymcveigh thanks 😊
Awesome video new sub here
Thank you and a new sub from here👍