Donald's Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Donald's Hill |
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|---|---|
| Cnoc Dhónaill | |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 399 m (1,309 ft) |
| Listing | Marilyn |
| Geography | |
| Location | Drumsurn, Londonderry, Northern Ireland |
| OSI/OSNI grid | C758178 |
Donald's Hill (which is Cnoc Dhónaill in Irish) is a cool hill located in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It's a pretty tall spot! The very top of the hill is 399 metres (about 1,309 feet) above sea level. This height makes it a special kind of hill called a Marilyn. A Marilyn is a hill in the British Isles that is at least 150 metres (about 492 feet) taller than the land around its base.
Donald's Hill sits right on the edge of the Sperrin Mountains. The small village of Drumsurn is located right at the bottom of the hill.
What's in a Name?
In 1834, old maps and records from the Ordnance Survey (a mapping agency) showed another name for this hill: Knocknahurkle. People believe this name came from the Irish words Cnoc na hEarcola. This means "hill of the earcola," though what "earcola" refers to isn't entirely clear today!
Cool Rocks and Walking Paths
If you explore the western side of the flat top of Donald's Hill, you might find a special type of rock formation called ignimbrite. Ignimbrite is a kind of rock formed from hot, fast-moving clouds of volcanic ash and gas. These rocks stretch for about 30 kilometres (about 18.6 miles) between Donald's Hill and another place called Magherafelt.
Donald's Hill is also part of a popular walking trail! It's on the North Sperrins Way section of the Ulster Way. The Ulster Way is a very long walking path that goes all around Northern Ireland. So, if you like hiking, this hill is a great place to visit!
