Muckish, Mountain summit in County Donegal, Ireland.
Muckish is a mountain in County Donegal with a summit at about 666 meters, marked by steep slopes and a broad, flat plateau covered in quartzite rock. The white color of the stone stands out clearly from the green surroundings.
From the 1940s until 1952, industrial mining took place on the mountain, extracting high-quality white quartzite from the northern side. This extraction activity permanently shaped the landscape and left visible marks on the mountainside.
The name comes from Irish 'An Mhucais', referring to the mountain's shape resembling a pig's back when viewed from the landscape. Visitors can easily spot this distinctive outline from various points in the surrounding area.
Two main routes lead to the summit: the Miners' Track from the north and a path from Muckish Gap on the south side, each offering different challenges and views. Visitors should watch for weather changes and bring appropriate gear, as cloud cover can develop quickly.
On the northern side, an old quarry remains visible with scattered mining equipment, a reminder of the mountain's industrial past. These relics are often overlooked by hikers but offer insight into how the land was once used.
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