Mouldy Hill

About Mouldy Hill

Rising above the eastern shores of Lough Swilly on the Inishowen Peninsula, this Marilyn offers a manageable but rewarding ascent. Its position ensures expansive, earned views across the Fahan woods toward the Fanad Peninsula. It is often climbed alongside the more prominent Scalp Mountain, which sits immediately to the east.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is likely an anglicised version of the Irish 'Mullaigh', simply meaning a hilltop or summit, though the specific spelling likely refers to the dark, peaty 'mould' of the surrounding bogland.
• •The summit provides a strategic vantage point over the Swilly estuary, offering a direct line of sight to the Rathmullan shoreline and the salt marshes of Inch Island.
• •Because it qualifies as a Marilyn—a hill with at least 150 metres of prominence—it is a frequent target for peak baggers exploring the uplands of County Donegal.
• •The approach from the east involves crossing a high col shared with Scalp Mountain; this area is notoriously damp, making waterproof gaiters a sensible addition to your kit.
• •Despite the unappealing name, the summit is remarkably fresh-aired, though 'mouldy' might accurately describe the state of your socks after a direct ascent through the heather.