While tourists crowd the Mourne Mountains and the Causeway Coast, the Sperrin Mountains remain Northern Ireland's best-kept secret. Stretching across Counties Tyrone and Londonderry, this vast upland wilderness offers over 400 square miles of rolling heather moorland, hidden valleys, and some of the darkest skies in Ireland.
I've hiked every major peak in the Sperrins, from dawn ascents watching red deer to wild camping under star-filled skies. This is my comprehensive guide to exploring Northern Ireland's most underrated mountain range.
Why the Sperrins Are Special
Unlike the dramatic peaks of the Mournes or the clifftop drama of the coast, the Sperrins offer something different: space, solitude, and wilderness. These are old, worn-down mountains - part of the ancient Caledonian mountain range that once rivaled the Alps in height. Millions of years of erosion have created rounded summits and broad ridges covered in heather, bracken, and bog.
What makes the Sperrins truly special:
- Genuine wilderness - You can walk for hours without seeing another soul
- Dark Sky status - Minimal light pollution makes stargazing spectacular
- Gold deposits - Ireland's only gold rush happened here in the 1970s
- Archaeological richness - Ancient cairns, ring forts, and field systems
- Wildlife abundance - Red deer, Irish hares, peregrine falcons, hen harriers
Best Hiking Trails in the Sperrins
Sawel Mountain (678m) - The Highest Peak
Distance: 8km return | Time: 3-4 hours | Difficulty: Moderate
Sawel is the Sperrins' highest point and the walk to the summit rewards with panoramic views across multiple counties. On clear days, you can see Slieve League in Donegal, the Antrim coast, and even Scotland's Mull of Kintyre.
The route starts from Sawel car park on Sperrin Road (between Draperstown and Plumbridge). The path climbs steadily through heather moorland - it can be boggy after rain so waterproof boots are essential. The summit cairn marks the County Tyrone-Londonderry border.
Gortin Glen Forest Park Circuit
Distance: Various trails 2-8km | Time: 1-3 hours | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Perfect for families or those wanting a gentler Sperrin experience, Gortin Glen offers waymarked forest trails, a scenic drive, and a deer enclosure. The forest park sits in a sheltered glen with mixed woodland providing contrast to the open moorland of the higher peaks.
Don't miss the 8km scenic drive through the forest with multiple viewpoints. There's also a wildlife enclosure housing red deer, fallow deer, and Japanese sika deer - great for photography and guaranteed wildlife sightings.
Bessy Bell (464m)
Distance: 5km return | Time: 2-3 hours | Difficulty: Moderate
Located in the southern Sperrins near Fivemiletown, Bessy Bell offers a shorter but still rewarding hike. The summit provides excellent views over County Tyrone's drumlin landscape - a geography lesson in glacial landforms.
The name comes from Irish folklore - Bessy Bell and Mary Gray were two maidens who built a bower in the hills to escape plague but tragically died anyway. Local legend says you can still hear them singing on quiet evenings.
Dart Mountain (619m)
Distance: 10km return | Time: 4-5 hours | Difficulty: Moderate-Challenging
A wilder, less-visited option for experienced hill walkers. Dart Mountain sits northeast of Plumbridge with excellent views and good chances of spotting red deer, especially during autumn rut when stags can be heard roaring across the valleys.
Gold Panning in the Sperrins
The Sperrins are Ireland's only gold-bearing mountains. Small amounts of gold occur naturally in the region's rivers and streams, washed down from deposits in the bedrock. In 1869, a shepherd found a 6-ounce nugget near Gortin, and in the 1970s, mining companies sparked a small gold rush.
Today, recreational gold panning is permitted in certain areas with landowner permission. The Sperrin Mountains Partnership runs occasional gold panning events and can provide information about where panning is allowed.
Best spots for trying gold panning:
- Glenelly River near Sperrin Village
- Owenkillew River near Gortin
- Strule River tributaries
You'll need a gold pan (available from outdoor shops or online), patience, and realistic expectations - finds are small and occasional. But there's something magical about swirling gravel and seeing genuine gold flakes glinting in your pan.
The Sperrin Scenic Drive
If hiking isn't your thing, the scenic drives through the Sperrins are spectacular. The main Sperrin Road (Plumbridge to Draperstown) cuts right through the heart of the range with numerous viewpoints and photo opportunities.
Recommended Scenic Route (2-3 hours driving):
- Start at Gortin and visit Gortin Glen Forest Park
- Drive the scenic forest drive and stop at viewpoints
- Continue to Plumbridge (coffee stop at Valley Hotel)
- Take Sperrin Road over the mountains to Draperstown
- Stop at Sperrin car park for short walk to summit views
- Descend to Draperstown and explore the village
- Return via Maghera or continue to Cookstown
The roads are narrow and winding with passing places - drive carefully and be patient. Sheep wander freely, so watch for livestock on the road.
Stargazing in the Sperrins Dark Sky Park
The Sperrins were designated as Northern Ireland's first International Dark Sky Park in 2023, recognizing the exceptional quality of its night skies. With minimal light pollution, the Sperrins offer spectacular stargazing opportunities.
Best stargazing locations:
- Gortin Glen Forest Park - Official dark sky viewing area with parking
- Davagh Forest Dark Sky Observatory - Purpose-built viewing platform with educational panels
- Beaghmore Stone Circles - Ancient monuments under dark skies (atmospheric!)
On clear moonless nights, you'll see the Milky Way stretching overhead, countless stars invisible from cities, and regular shooting stars. During autumn and winter, aurora borealis occasionally appears this far south - check aurora forecast apps.
Historical and Archaeological Sites
The Sperrins contain remarkable archaeological sites spanning millennia:
Beaghmore Stone Circles
Seven stone circles, ten stone rows, and twelve cairns dating to the Bronze Age (around 2000-1200 BC). The site's purpose remains debated - astronomical observatory? Ritual center? Sacred landscape? Whatever their original function, the stones are atmospheric and photogenic, especially at sunrise or sunset.
Free to visit, always accessible. Located on Davagh Road between Cookstown and Omagh. Allow 30-45 minutes to explore properly.
The Ulster Way
This long-distance walking route passes through the Sperrins, offering multi-day hiking options for experienced walkers. The Sperrins section is challenging but rewarding, taking you through remote upland terrain rarely visited by casual tourists.
Where to Stay in the Sperrins
Accommodation in the Sperrins is limited but characterful:
- Gortin Accommodation Centre - Purpose-built outdoor activity center with dorms and private rooms, perfect for groups and families
- Glenpark Estate (near Omagh) - Luxury forest cabins with hot tubs
- Farm B&Bs - Scattered throughout the region, offering genuine hospitality and local knowledge
- Wild camping - Possible on open moorland with landowner permission (practice Leave No Trace principles)
For more options in nearby towns, see our guides for County Tyrone and County Londonderry accommodation.
Wildlife Watching
The Sperrins support healthy populations of upland wildlife:
- Red Deer - Ireland's largest native land mammal. Best seen at dawn/dusk, particularly in autumn during the rut
- Irish Hares - Endemic subspecies found on open moorland
- Peregrine Falcons - Nesting on crags, fastest animal on Earth in a dive
- Hen Harriers - Rare raptors hunting over heather moorland
- Red Grouse - Moorland birds, their call a characteristic "go-back, go-back"
- Curlews - Wading birds with haunting bubbling calls
Please respect wildlife - observe from distance, never approach or disturb animals, and keep dogs under close control (on lead during bird nesting season March-July).
What to Bring
The Sperrins are remote mountains with changeable weather. Essential kit includes:
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm layers (temperatures drop at altitude)
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Map, compass, and GPS device
- Plenty of food and water
- First aid kit
- Torch/headlamp
- Emergency shelter/bivvy bag
- Fully charged mobile phone (signal can be limited)
When to Visit
Summer (June-August): Longest days, warmest weather, heather in bloom. Can be busy at popular spots on weekends. Midges can be a nuisance in calm, damp conditions.
Autumn (September-October): My favorite season. Heather fading to bronze, bracken turning gold, red deer rut in full swing. Changing leaves in Gortin Glen. Fewer visitors.
Winter (November-February): Shortest days limit walking time but landscape is stark and beautiful. Snow occasionally covers summits. Best stargazing conditions. Very quiet.
Spring (March-May): Ground often wet but wildflowers appearing. Curlews and other birds nesting. Days lengthening. Good conditions before summer crowds.
Getting There and Around
The Sperrins are remote and public transport is virtually non-existent - you need a car. Main access towns include:
- Omagh (south) - Largest nearby town, good facilities
- Cookstown (east) - Good base for Beaghmore and Davagh Forest
- Plumbridge (center) - Small village in heart of Sperrins
- Draperstown (north) - Northern access point
From Belfast: 1.5 hours drive via M1/A29
From Derry: 1 hour via A5/A505
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Visit
The Sperrins won't give you dramatic coastal scenery or Instagram-famous viewpoints. What they offer is increasingly rare in modern Ireland: genuine wilderness, solitude, and space to breathe.
In my years guiding in Northern Ireland, I've watched the coast become busier each season. The Sperrins remain blissfully uncrowded. On a typical weekday, you might see nobody else all day. That solitude, combined with spectacular dark skies, abundant wildlife, and challenging walking, makes the Sperrins special.
Whether you're an experienced hillwalker seeking new challenges, a stargazer wanting dark skies, or simply someone craving escape from crowded tourist trails, the Sperrin Mountains reward those who make the effort to visit.
Pack your boots, study your maps, and discover Northern Ireland's most underrated wilderness. The mountains are waiting.