Sperrins

Get away from it all in the Sperrin Mountains, County Tyrone

If you’re ever in County Tyrone, you have to take yourself off to the Sperrins or Sperrin Mountains (from the old Irish word ‘speirín’ meaning 'little pinnacle’).

You will love how their unspoilt natural beauty will soon become the perfect antidote to your hectic life. Here, you simply slow down, unwind, and get away from it all. The Sperrins are good for whatever ails you, as they say around here.

Where to start into the Sperrins

You’ll locate the mountain range to the west of the county. Simply find the town of Strabane and draw a circle covering it, Castlederg, Maghera and Limavady in Co. Londonderry. If you spot Sawel Mountain, the highest peak, you know you’re in the right place. On its footsteps, Omagh is also a good place to start your trip from and from there you’ll quickly discover that there’s loads for you and your family to enjoy in this heather-covered piece of heaven.

When the stars align in the Sperrins

One of the first things you should do in the Sperrins isn’t to look around. It’s to look up! That’s because the Sperrins are an official Dark Sky area, meaning that their remoteness and the absence of artificial light makes them one of the world’s best places for star-gazing.

What’s more, the Sperrins now has its own dedicated star-watching centre. OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory at Davagh Forest, near Cookstown, brings everything there is to know about astronomy to life, with holographic displays, sky maps, virtual reality headsets and, naturally, its own enormous star-gazing telescope.

Make the Sperrins the drive of your life

There are four spectacular driving routes in the Sperrin Mountains for you to choose from. But it would be a shame to choose just one. You will soon see why it has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and why they don’t hand out those titles to just anyone. With breath-taking scenery wherever you look, you will agree with National Geographic’s decision to include the Sperrins in its top 101 scenic drives in the world. You can’t get higher praise than that!

Welcome to hillwalker heaven along the rooftops of County Tyrone

Whether you’re into exhilarating mountain walks or gentle strolls, the Sperrins has all your tastes covered. You will love the beautiful Glenelly Valley between Plumbridge and Draperstown surrounded by the highest peaks in the Sperrins, including its tallest, Sawel Mountain.

You’ll find other fabulous long and longish walks like the Craignamaddy Circuit (12.8 miles), Robbers Table (9 miles), Causeway Hill (9.5 miles) and the Carntogher Way (5.6 miles). Or try shorter ones like Ness, Ervey and Burntollet (4 miles), Lough Fea (2.6 miles) or Gortin Lakes (0.6 miles) if you’re caught for time.

You’ll want to ride your bicycle

The Sperrins were made for cyclists too. You can always follow your own routes and make your own memories if you wish. Or let local knowledgeable guides help you find some hidden holiday gems.

You could try a cycling and foodie trip combination - just imagine the appetite you’d build up on this. If you’re feeling more adventurous you might consider the Far and Wide cycle tour.

Some tour operators specialise in women-only mountain biking trips with female instructor-guides, so it’s worth checking out.

You will also adore the Davagh Forest mountain bike trails in the heart of the Sperrins where you can follow gentle trails with the family or as a beginner or descend faster trails if you’re a more experienced rider.

Get out and get nature watching

As you know, sparsely populated mountains mean one thing - they are teeming with birds and wildlife, so bring binoculars. You’ll find red fox, sika deer, pine martens and rare red squirrels here alongside peregrine falcons, buzzards and sparrowhawks. You may even spot golden eagles if you’re between Strabane and Draperstown or catch a rare sighting of a red grouse. So, if you feel like leaving the car parked for a wee while, you never know your luck!

Gortin Glen Forest Park, just north of Omagh, has a number of vista parks where you can pull in and enjoy the magnificent Sperrins scenery. Or simply follow their waymarked trails and experience the natural flora and fauna in all its splendour. If you have a permit, horse riding is also possible here.

However you get about, just get here

So, whether you’re on four wheels or two wheels, on a four-legged friend or in your favourite walking boots, the Sperrins is just right for you.