Carntogher Way - Slí an Chairn

This walk on the hills above the Glenshane Pass gives access to historic Carntogher Mountain with views across Lough Foyle to Errigal and Muckish in Donegal, Sawel and the high Sperrins, and south-east to The Mournes and Slieve Gullion. Mentioned in the early Iron Age tale Táin Bó Cuailgne, the area is rich in mythology and archaeological heritage and a number of monuments remain visible in the landscape.

Please note: The Seefinn Trail is currently closed to carry out maintenance and will reopen in Early 2019.

County

Londonderry

Distance

5.6 miles

OS Map

Sheet 8

Nearest Town

Maghera, County Derry

Route Shape

Circular

Route Type

Hill, Mountain, Riverside

Terrain

Open hill, lanes and minor roads

Grid Reference (Start)

C819045

Grid Reference (End)

C819045

Point of Interest

Altkeeran, a hidden glen; the Emigrants Cairn: Shane's Leaps

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Sperrins

Route Description

The main looped Carntogher Way coded red starts on a quiet minor road, turning off this to grassy mountainside followed by a gravel track climbing the eastern side of Carntogher towards the heathery summit. Following what can be a boggy track below the summit, descent is by further gravel tracks and the minor road back to the start point.

Sections of this route can be boggy underfoot. Appropriate footwear is recommended. This route has a shorter alternative coded blue called the Skelp trail. There is an alternative lower level route coded yellow, the Seefin Trail*, which begins at the carpark and follows a stream through the Pollan Bog with boardwalk in the wetter places, and around Seefin Hill before returning along the same stream to the carpark (* the Seefin Trail is currently closed for maintenance works and will be reopened in early 2019).

'The main looped Carntogher Way coded red starts on a quiet minor road, turning off this to grassy mountainside followed by a gravel track climbing the eastern side of Carntogher towards the heathery summit. Following what can be a boggy track below the summit, descent is by further gravel tracks and the minor road back to the start point.'The main looped Carntogher Way coded red starts on a quiet minor road, turning off this to grassy mountainside followed by a gravel track climbing the eastern side of Carntogher towards the heathery summit. Following what can be a boggy track below the summit, descent is by further gravel tracks and the minor road back to the start point.

Getting to the Start (by Public Transport)

Translink - journeyplanner.translink.co.uk

Getting to the Start (by Car)

Take the Tirkane Road C551 north west out of Maghera for 3 miles and park at the roadside carpark at the Cotter Row C819045 where you see the information sign for the mountain walks. This is the walk start point. Full details on brochure.

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed.

Facilities

There is a craft shop with post office, tourist information and coffee corner nearby at An Carn Centre C796061 with disabled carparking and toilets, which you pass on the Tirkane Road on the way to the walk start point.

Publication

Details of all local walks are included in the Carntogher History Trail guide and map including walking trail maps of Carntogher Mountain and Drumnaph Wood.