Programme of events taking place in The Killeter area from Saturday 22nd to Sunday 23rd September , as part of the Sperrins & Killeter Walking Festival 2018.
Sun 8th Oct: ‘Stories from Killeter and beyond’ is a Moderate circuit walk via the Causeway and Carrickaholten looking at human settlement in the local landscape
9km
Registration Point: Killeter Community Hall
Registration Time: 10.30 am (Please arrive at least 30 mins before start time at 11am)
This walk is a looped walk for all ages, focussing on photographing landscapes. Led by a professional photographer, Leitrim Hill above Killeter Village provides both natural vistas and Neolithic archaeology to capture some great ritual landscape shots
Cost: £5 Per Person. Book Here
Registration Point: Killeter Community Hall
Registration Time: 9.30am (Please arrive at least 30 mins before start time at 10am)
This walk starts on the upper reaches of the River Derg and follows the spawning grounds of the Salmon, a mythic creature in our story-telling. Suitable for fit walkers comfortable with walking on and off track, the walk will finish at the head of the watercourse and include input from a natural heritage guide
Cost: £5 Per Person. Book Here
Registration Point: Killeter Community Hall
Registration Time: 8.30am (Please arrive at least 30 mins before start time at 9am)
This walk is through wild countryside on the border between Tyrone and Donegal. Participants should be comfortable with hiking through a range of terrain mostly off-trail. The walk will explore the intricacies of heritage in a border or ‘termonn’ area and visit historic sites.
Cost: £5 Per Person. Book Here
A wonderful walk exploring this beautiful region
Explores the flora and fauna of this unique plateau of raised bog between Killeter and Pettigo in Co. Donegal, a habitat of complex character, ending in the Goldandun McHugh in S. Tyrone
Traces the history of the Derg Valley and infamous Lough as a major watercourse and pilgrim mecca since Potlemy’s 2nd century world map.
2018 being the 200th anniversary of the birth of Mrs. C.F. Alexander - the famous hymn writer who wrote hymns like 'All Things Bright and Beautiful' and lived in Killeter from 1850-55 while her husband was curate in St. Bestius Church of Ireland, has sparked an immense amount of interest in the Killeter/Aghyaran area. So much so that the 4 churches came together to develop the 'Bright and Beautiful Campaign
A range of interesting Neolithic sites and monuments can be encountered in the landscape around the town-land of Killeter from Crilly’s Hill to Seegronan. This walk will explore some of these sites and the story of the Neolithic period when Ireland was settled by its first agrarian inhabitants.
With Brexit looming, this walk will explore the broader hinterland of the border Tyrone shares with counties Donegal and Fermanagh. What can be learned from the landscape and our past- and can we move beyond borders in a shared space and place? This route will follow the border in many sections and explore whether the past holds any answers.
From Killeter Village to Magherakeel and St Patrick’s Well exploring the old route to Lough Derg
Explore the River Derg and lakes as a life giving watercourse and trace its flow through Killeter and beyond.
An exciting & unusual weekend of cross country hiking in one of Northern Ireland’s most remote and scenic landscapes.
Start: 1pm
Distance: 5km
A perfect way to ease your way into walking and enjoy the social life that goes with it, this community ramble takes a route around the lowland areas of Killeter and Aghyaran on a loop with lots of historic points of interest from the neolithic period to the present day. Led by members of the local community
Start: 10am
Distance: 8km
The Ulster section of the IAT or International Appalachian Trail (IAT) begins at Slieve League in South West Donegal and passes through the small village of Killeter in Tyrone on its way east towards the Antrim coast. Connecting the IAT with local places of interest for walkers is a natural progression to keeping the trial alive and interesting. This walk joins the IAT after departing Sloughdan Glen and passing over Bolacht Mountain at 400m, to amazing views north and west on a clear day. Led by Liam Campbell
Start: 9am
Distance: 15km
First coined in 2015 but dating back before the foundation of Dublin, the idea of a camino to and from Lough Derg through neighbouring communities of Killeter and Aghyaran is a hike with a difference. This year we will trace a route from Lough Derg across the terrain leading into Tyrone along the Derg river and exploring the 'liminal space' that presides in this meeting place of counties and traditions among the Pettifog plateau and famous Causeway. Expect open hillside, track and minor road with a max elevation of 350m. Led by Lawrence McBride
Choose from three walks designed around Easy, Moderate and Challenging routes:
All roads lead to Lough Derg on a dramatic wander across pilgrim routes in the ‘termon’ of the Tyrone & Donegal border. Be prepared for a multi-terrain experience via lake-land, hill-side (Grousehall Hill 283m), river-bank and woodland trails on the 15km route to the source of the Foyle.
From the heart of Killeter forest to the natural viewpoint of Mullyfa (248m), the landscape of south Tyrone affords unique woodland, lake and bog ecology for hikers who are also intrepid explorers and photographers on a 9km route along trails and across heather
Walking minor roads and small trails via Magheranageeragh and Mullanabreen, the Spiritual Traditions route connects religious congregations surrounding Killeter village in a delightful 6km loop exploring of the global historical significance of pagan and Christian traditions in the area.
All walks have a limited capacity and places will be sold on a first come-first served basis. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
Participant Consent/Medical form to be completed on the day
Please ensure you arrive at the registration point at least 30 minutes prior to chosen walk start time.
Registration point on the day is at Killeter Community Hall, Killeter Village
Stay around after your walk and grab a bite at our Steak barbeque, chat to the locals and sample the delights of Killeter Fair
As part of the Killeter Fair take on the butter-making challenge, enjoy some Samba vibes and try your hand at making campfire bread.
Easy or Leisurely 5km walk along the old Causeway from Killeter and learn how to take the perfect landscape shot from our professional photographer.
Take on the challenge of a vertical route with our Climbing Tower!
Take on a superb team or individual challenge and raise money for your chosen charity if desired. Our Extreme 20km route start at Leghowney Community Hall and ends in Big Bridge in Killeter Forest.
Local guides lead this trip back in time up Carraigaholten to uncover the mystery of the missing pilgrims.
Moderate Route: a 8 km hike through Lough Braden Forest, exploring ancient sites, ascending Bolaght Mountain 345m and ending on the International Appalachian Trail
Challenging Route: Start in Donegal and finish in time for tea in Tyrone! This 10km route has something for everyone- forest, hills, riverbanks and magnificent views of Lough Derg
Head for the Hills this summer and discover the epic beauty on our doorstep as part of the Sperrins and Killeter Walking Festivals.
This September, walkers of all ages and abilities have the chance to get outside and explore the beauty, history and heritage of the Sperrins and Killeter regions. Walks are available at a variety of levels including easy strolls (perfect for families and budding nature photographers), moderate treks, challenging hill walks and extreme hikes across some of the most dazzling landscapes in the country.
