Seeing as our current lockdown restrictions don't include travel limits for exercise, I took a spin down to the Slieve Beagh area last Sunday for a change of scene and a longer walk than my usual, local routes. I've walked in this quiet area for many years, including approaching the highest ground from all three … Continue reading Slieve Beagh: Crocknagrally Forest Loop (and Detours)
I enjoyed revisiting the Sperrin Mountains during the walking festival covered in my previous post, so paid another visit two weeks later. On this occasion we explored one of the biggest areas of forestry in the range, Glenlark Forest. It wasn't the longest or most dramatic of hikes but it's always good to tread new … Continue reading Back in the Sperrins 2: Glenlark Forest
I've been neglecting this blog once again so thought I'd post some photos from a couple of recent hikes in the Sperrin Mountains. The first was part of the Omagh and Sperrins Walking Festival and led by outdoors adventure providers Far and Wild. Top image: Our group descending the summit of Carnanelly with a view … Continue reading Back in the Sperrins 1: Reliving the Flight of the Earls
It's become something of a minor tradition (it started in 2016/17) that my first and last hikes of the year take place in the Sperrins, my nearest mountain range. The target for my opening hike of 2018 was a small man-made landmark high up in the hills, known as Father Devine's Well. My walking companion … Continue reading First Hike of 2018: Mullaghclogher via Father Devine’s Well
I always like to fit in a hike in the days after Christmas and it often ends up being in the Sperrins, my closest mountain range. This year's excursion wasn't the most ambitious but gave some magical views, thanks to an impressive and unexpected covering of snow on the higher ground. Top image: Looking back on … Continue reading Snow in the Sperrins, Christmas 2017: Mullaghsallagh
I revisted my 'locals', the Sperrin Mountains, recently to walk a circuit I'd first troddden several years ago. Altbritain Forest is a southerly offshoot of the huge Banagher Forest and runs most of the way up Mullaghaneany, the third highest peak in the range at 627m. Top image: Looking down over Altbritain and Banagher Forests … Continue reading Sperrins: Circuit of Altbritain Forest
On the way home from my recent trip to County Donegal, I veered off at Strabane to tackle a little known hill that had been on my radar for years. Although relatively modest in height at 296m, shapely Knockavoe dominates the town to the east and promised wide-ranging views over Tyrone and Donegal. Top image: … Continue reading Sperrin Foothills: Knockavoe
I thought I'd pull myself away from the hilarious online commentary on the UK General Election and add a post on one of my favourite local places to visit. Tullyhogue Fort is one of the most important sites in medieval Irish history. It's also a beautiful and tranquil viewpoint that's been made a lot more … Continue reading Midweek Retreat: Tullyhogue Fort
Slieve Beagh is often maligned by hillwalkers for being bleak, featureless and generally hard work, but I've had a soft spot for it since my first visit back in 2009. I returned to this extensive area of blanket bog, gentle peaks and hidden loughs at the weekend, to walk a route I'd wanted to try for a long time: … Continue reading Slieve Beagh: Three Counties and Countless Frogs
Once again I stayed relatively close to home for this hike, which happened to fall on my birthday. The Vinegar Hill Loop in County Tyrone is one of a small number of waymarked routes in the heart of the Sperrin Mountains. It's largely on farm tracks with sections on public but quiet roads. I hadn't walked it before but had … Continue reading Sperrins Photo Blog: Vinegar Hill Loop
Hike Cycle Ireland 