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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 Wild 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.

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Number of results: 16

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
291 reviews
Roe Valley Country Park

Limavady

Address

41 Dogleap Road, Limavady, County Londonderry, BT49 9NN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7772 1925

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Country / Royal Park

This scenic and tranquil park on the outskirts of Limavady offers spectacular riverside views and woodland walks along with opportunities for salmon and trout fishing, canoeing, rock climbing and orienteering.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking - is free and available at 4 points: Main car park at Visitor Centre /Café Building (access via Dogleap Road) O’Cahan’s car park (access via Roemill Road) Carrick Mills car park (access via Ballyquin Road) Carrick Rocks car park (access via Drumrane Road) Mobility Scooter Available from the Dogleap Countryside Centre
Ness Country Park

Killaloo

Address

50 Oughtagh Road, Killaloo, County Londonderry, BT47 3TR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7133 8838

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Country / Royal Park

In the steep, wooded Glen of the Burntollet River, south-east of Derry/Londonderry, lies Ness Country park. Enjoy over 7km of riverside walks and there's a visitor centre, a natural themed play park, stunning waterfall and picnic tables.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Maghera Walled Garden

Maghera

Address

Church Street, Maghera, County Londonderry, BT46 5BD

Telephone
+44 (0) 3000 132 132

tourism@midulstercouncil.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Garden

Maghera Walled Garden, a restored Victorian Garden on the grounds of a medieval 4th Century royal dwelling and ancient Monastery.

Price
Free

More Info
Davagh Forest

Cookstown

Address

Davagh Road, Cookstown, County Tyrone, BT79 8JH

Telephone
+44 (0) 3000 132 132

tourism@midulstercouncil.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

The true definition of a hidden gem, Davagh Forest is an International Dark Sky Park and lies approximately 6 miles north west of Cookstown in an untouched rural landscape of rolling hills and sweeping forests.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Pomeroy Forest and Magic Trails

Pomeroy

Address

56 Tanderagee Road, Pomeroy, County Tyrone, BT70 3DS

Telephone
+44 (0) 3000 132 132

tourism@midulstercouncil.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

A diverse woodland where the existing trails have been developed to create a series of magical trails through Pomeroy Forest

Price
Free

More Info
Ness and Ervey Woods Nature Reserves

Killaloo

Address

Ness Country Park, 50 Oughtagh Road, Killaloo, County Londonderry, BT47 3TR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 7133 8417

nieainfo@daera-ni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Set in the Burntollet Valley within Ness Country Park, this nature reserve provides the opportunity to explore peaceful woodland, a gorge and high waterfall.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Garvagh Forest

Garvagh

Address

6 Forest Road, Garvagh, County Londonderry, BT51 5EF

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2955 6000

customer.forestservice@dardni.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

Covering 200 hectares, Garvagh forest is situated on the Western outskirts of Garvagh, with trees from over 80 years onl to those only planted at the turn of the century.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
127 reviews
Glenpark Estate & Open Farm

Gortin

Address

150 Glenpark Road, Gortin, County Tyrone, BT79 7SU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8299 0004

info@glenparkestate.com

Type

Type:

Open Farm

Explore the grounds & meet the farm animals. Come and take a walk through history as you explore our beautiful grounds, replica historic buildings and meet the rare breeds in our open farm. We also have a farm shop, children's play area, soft play…

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2024to31 Dec 2024Open 08:00 - 20:00

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Facilities

Catering
- Licensed
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
115 reviews
Drum Manor Forest Park

Cookstown

Address

Drum Road, Cookstown, County Tyrone, BT80 8UN

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 6634 3165

customer.forestservice@daera-ni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

The attractive eighteenth-century demesne is now a forest park. Colourful in spring and autumn with a shrub, butterfly and Japanese garden, arboretum, ponds and mixed woodlands.

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
99 reviews
Springhill

Moneymore

Address

20 Springhill Road, Moneymore, County Londonderry, BT45 7NQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8674 8210

springhill@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

The National Trust

Step back to 1912 as you experience the Lenox-Conyngham home on the morning they left to board Titanic. See the exhibition, featuring pieces from the Titanic era, including 11-year-old Eileen Lenox-Conyngham’s letter, written on Titanic headed paper.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi
Drumnaph Nature Reserve

Maghera

Address

15 Halfgayne Road, Maghera, County Londonderry, BT46 5PB

Telephone
+44 (0)28 7954 9978

info@drumnaph.org

Type

Type:

Nature and Wildlife

Nestled on the edge of the Sperrins, the Reserve boasts a rich variety of habitats including ancient woodland, wetland, bog and meadow with the Grillagh River running along its edge. It is a haven for wildlife and you are sure to get a glimpse of…

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Picture This: Burnfoot

Dungiven

Address

Derryork Road, Dungiven, County Londonderry, BT47 4NW

visitor.information@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Viewpoint

A pretty village nestled between the River Roe and the Bovevagh River.

Price
Free

More Info
Gortnamoyagh Forest

Garvagh

Address

Northern Ireland Forest Service, 6 Forest Road, Garvagh, County Londonderry, BT51 5BQ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 2955 6003

customer.forestservice@deara-ni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

Travel 3 miles west of Garvagh town and you will begin to enter Gortnamoyagh Forest, which straddles the North Sperrins ridge. Gortnamoyagh Forest provides a rewarding experience for anyone looking to enjoy unspoilt and often remote areas of forest.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Picture This: Garvagh Forest

Garvagh

Address

Main Street, Garvagh, County Londonderry, BT51 5NJ

visitor.information@causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Viewpoint

A 200-hectare forest containing many species of trees, wildlife – and even a pyramid…

Price
Free

More Info
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
143 reviews
Gortin Glen Forest Park

Gortin

Address

Glen Park Road, Gortin, County Tyrone, BT79 7SU

Telephone
+44 (0) 300 303 17777

gortinglenforestpark@fermanaghomagh.com

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

There are over 10km of walking trails, a 6km scenic drive, wildfowl enclosure and deer enclosure and a new children's playpark to enjoy and explore.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site parking
- Parking (free)
An Creagán

Omagh

Address

186 Barony Road, Creggan, Omagh, County Tyrone, BT79 9AB

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 8076 1112

info@ancreagan.com

Type

Type:

Visitor Centres & Museums

Set in breath-taking surroundings you can recharge your batteries and enjoy one of the many walks and cycle trails on the grounds and take in the sights and sounds as you pedal or walk through the open landscape and forest trails. Or perhaps just…

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Dogs accepted by arrangement
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Leisure Facilities
- Wifi