Programme of events taking place in The Sperrins area from Saturday 22nd to Sunday 23rd September , as part of the Sperrins & Killeter Walking Festival 2018.
Sat 7th Oct: ‘𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝘁’ (Moderate circuit walk 8km) exploring the emigration story in Castledamph and including parts of Bradkeel and the Moat
Registration Point: Watts Bar Plumbridge
Registration Time: 10.30am (Please arrive at least 30 mins before start time at 11am)
This route includes the Balix Board-Walk and is part-trail and part-minor road around the circumference of Balix Hill between the Butterlope and Altishane. Suitable for all ages, it will include input by a local expert on forageable plants at the time of year.
Cost: £5 Per Person. Book Here
Registration Point: Watts Bar, Plumbridge
Registration Time: 9.30am (Please arrive at least 30 mins before start time at 10am)
This walk follows the old track over Craignamaddy above the town of Plumbridge and loops back into the village on minor roads. It is suitable for fit people accustomed to ascents and descents and will include input from a local expert on bog-land habitats and their significance for carbon capture.
Cost £5 Per Person. Book Here
Registration Point: Watts Bar Plumbridge
Registration Time: 8.30am (Please arrive at least 30 mins before start time at 9am)
This route will be over open hill-side, with a small proportion on tracks, and participants should be comfortable with sustained hiking on moorland and upland countryside. Explore the importance of Badoney in the foundation of the early Christian church in Ireland
Cost: £5 Per Person. Book Here
From the Owenkillew Valley to Drumnaspar over the Craignamaddy Circuit walk this walk will include a storyteller relating entertaining folklore to participants.
From Ballix to Glenga Glen via the Moat is a walk exploring the bounty that is bogland, through participants photographing this amazing environmental resource.
This challenging 12km walk from Park Village over Learmount Hill and Mullaghdoo-Mullaghclogha to Glenchiel will trace the heritage of watercourses in the Sperrins from glaciation to the present day, outlining their continued importance to settlements throughout counties Tyrone & Derry.
Vinegar Hill is a well-known local walk in the scenic Barnes area of the Sperrins. This year the walk will be a charity walk in aid of Rural Support, an organisation that helps people living in rural areas on a wide range of issues.
Craignamaddy is a ridge that rises between Glenelly and Owenkillew valleys, behind the village of Plumbridge. It provides a vista on both valleys and an upland bog rich in biodiversity. This walk will be lead by an expert in local flora and fauna. It will focus on this unique habitat and finish in Plumbridge Village for traditional refreshments.
Sawel Mountain is visible from counties as far flung as Donegal to Down- and is the highest mountain along the route of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT). The walk will trace a route onto Sawel that allows for a full day's hiking for those exploring the Trail as a hiking destination. As the 'Jewel in the Crown', Sawel is a must for anyone seeking to know the story of the Sperrins fully.
Do you know how many species of Irish bat there are, or how to hear them at night? Have you ever foraged in a hedgerow and discovered its secrets, including our winged friend the moth?
This beautiful walk along a natural heritage site links the area into Murlough, Hollyhill and Legfordrum Led by experienced walk leaders you will explore the natural hertiage of 'The Balix' whilst hearing the history and folklore of the area.
This walk will incorporate some of the highest peaks of the Sperrin’s led by expereinced walk leaders. Enjoy and explore the natural and human heritage of the highest of the Sperrin Hills whilst listening to the histroy and folklore of the area.
Our novel walk along the Strabane Canal to keep fit in early morning.Guided by experienced walk leaders, come along and explore the naural heritage of this canal walk.
Start: 6pm
Distance: 3km.
Do you know how many species of Irish bat there are, or how to hear them at night? Have you ever foraged in a hedgerow and discovered its secrets, including our winged friend the Moth? Glenad Valley near Clougherney provides the ideal sheltered looped walk to experience these delights. Walking on quiet, minor roads suitable for all the family, this twilight walk is led by local forager and Bat woman, Annie Mullan. (Ok for prams)
Start: 10am
Distance: 8km.
How many of you have been up the historic Moat above the picturesque village of Plumbridge in the heart of the Sperrins? Presiding over the western end of the Glenelly Valley, the Moat Challenge provides the opportunity to raise money for a worthwhile charity while discovering the scenic and ecological splendours that await the beholder from the famous cairn atop the Moat. Experience both aspects of this epic little hill from Craig to Glensass. Expect rough terrain and elevation up to 400m walking on hillside and track. Led by local guide Rosemary Murphy and ecologist Martin Bradley.
Distance: 15 km
From Moneyneany to Crannagh in the Glenelly Valley, the Ulster section of the Appalachian Way winds its way over Sperrins foothills past ladder fields and down towards abandoned settlements in Goles. Our walk re-traces the origins of the Ulster Way and tells the story of the International Appalachian Way from its landfall in Europe. Expect rough terrain and elevation up to 450m, walking on track, hillside and minor road. Led by heritage expert Liam Campbell and Far and Wild's Lawrence McBride
Choose from three walks designed around Easy, Moderate and Challenging routes:
The International Appalachian Trail (IAT) weaves its way west to east from landfall at Slieve League all the way to Larne. This 15km route explores the IAT as it connects Killeter to Glenelly across the summit of Bessy Bell (420m) and the Strule Valley towards Gortin- the route is a variety of minor road, trail and open hill-side walking.
Crossing rough terrain of Craignamaddy (366m), it explores ecology along the Glenelly River before descending to Barnes on a 9km ridge walk for a scone making come-and-try-it activity.
This walk along quiet country roads will explore the beautiful landscape of the Bradkeel and Glenga townlands. Explore with local guides the wildlife rich hedgerows, wooded areas, boglands and Butterlope Glen, which is a specially protected area of the Sperrins. This twilight walk will help you appreciate the nocturnal wildlife of these glens. Suitable for pushchairs.
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 Watt’s Bar, Plumbridge
Easy – Leisurely walk with nature photography. If you have a passion for photography, this stroll around the Sperrins with our professional nature photographer is the perfect opportunity to capture the natural beauty of the region.
Take on the challenge of a vertical route with our Climbing Tower!
Our Family Fun day on Sunday has something for the younger children and families including Scarecrow Making, a Pied Piper around the village and a nature detectives challenge!
Extreme Hike Skyline Ridge. The ultimate challenge of fitness and perseverance, our extreme hike takes in a 20km route from Goles to Bradkeel.
Stay around after your walk and enjoy the culture, traditions and entertainment of the Sperrins in the local Rockin by the River Festival.
Easy – Leisurely 5km walk with history and stories. Find out more about the myths, legends and history of the Sperrins with our expert guides.
Moderate Route: This 9km route leaves Barnes on the south side of Glenelly Valley and explores the geology and gold panning tradition of Miullaghbollig
Challenging Route: This 11km route takes in the biggest Peak in the Sperrins, Sawel, at 678m.
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.
