Sperrins Walking 2024/2025
STUNNING SPERRINS PERFECT LOCATION FOR SCENIC GUIDED WALKS
Sperrins Walking is back with a programme of walks taking place across Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in September, October 2024 and March 2025.
Developed and delivered by The Sperrins Partnership and outdoor experts Far and Wild, Sperrins Walking is designed to appeal to a broad range of walkers to enjoy the beautiful landscape as well as promoting health, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Participants will enjoy discovering a destination filled with unique experiences and a great choice of walks ranging from moderate ability to more demanding longer walks. Experienced guides will lead small walking groups to uncover the stories, history, environment and heritage of this unique landscape.
Sperrins Walking Programme 2024/2025 dates are:
- Mid Ulster District Council Walking Weekend on Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th September 2024
Moderate walk taking in the Neolithic era from Ballinasolus through Davagh Forest. A more challenging walk in Moneynenagh (Bog of Wonder) through the middle of the Sperrins. On Sunday enjoy a moderate walk taking in Lough Beg overlooking Church Island. - Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council Walking Weekend Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th October 2024
Enjoy a challenging walk in Banagher Glen and forest on the Saturday, followed by a challenging walk over Mullaghaneany, the Borough’s highest point, on the Sunday. Each walk to accommodate max of 20 participants with light refreshments included. - Derry City & Strabane District Council Walking Weekend Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd March 2025
Themed walk per day; 2 moderate walks Saturday (Sperrins) and Sunday (Killeter) 30 people per walk. Featuring a local community celebration at each event. - Fermanagh & Omagh District Council Walking Weekend on Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd March 2025
1 moderate and 1 challenging walk for max of 30 people per walk on both Saturday and Sunday
Cllr Sean Clarke, Chair of The Sperrins Partnership said:
“We are delighted to announce the return of Sperrins Walking. Over the past three year’s, all 4 Councils, that make up the Sperrins Partnership, have watched the programme grow and develop in popularity with walkers of all abilities. Once again, they’ve all come together to deliver a range of walks to enjoy throughout the beautiful Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) while also promoting health, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. With stunning scenery and expert and experience guides these walks are not to be missed.”
Lorcan McBride, Sperrins Walking guide, added:
“With our expert walking guides on hand, the walks will delight and engage everyone who takes part in the experience. This year’s programme, once again, features walks suited to those with moderate ability to those who like a walking challenge. The walks will traverse across the Sperrins uncovering the majestic landscape, the unique environment and the rich history and heritage of the area. "
For further information on the Sperrins Walking programme and to book your place visit https://farandwild.org/land/ or https://sperrinspartnershipproject.com/sperrins-walking/ #SperrinsWalking.
Mid Ulster District Council
Dates: 28/29 Sept 2024
28th September: Neo- Lithic- Ism (8km) This Moderate Walk takes on the world view of the late Stone Age or Neolithic people who arrived predominantly into Ireland via the north of the island approximately 10-5,000 years ago. (Moderate)
Wonders of the Bog (12km) Moneyneaney is a place ‘in the middle’, which many visitors to the Sperrins pass through on the road east or west. (Challenging)
29th September: Spirit of the Lough (8km) Connected by a narrow goose-neck of the River Bann to the larger Lough Neagh, Lough Beg is home to historic Church Island, nestled in the natural migratory habitat of a diversity of waterfowl. (Moderate)
Book here: https://farandwild.org/mid-ulster/
Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council
Dates: 12/13 Oct 2024
12 October: ‘The Eco in Altnaheglish’ (10km) is a Moderate looped walk starting at top of the Glen and completing an entire circuit via Altnaheglish. The walk looks at the evidence of the natural eco-system at work within a water catchment area which houses both conifer and broadleaf woodland. It asks how the ‘sense of place’ will change with function, or how an ecosystem is used, and how to restore the original function of an ecosystem to support life. (Moderate)
13 October: ‘The Gift of the Uplands’ (12km) is a Challenging looped walk on Mullaghneaney. It starts on the Glendora Road and takes a looped route on forest trail and over open hillside (off-trail). The walk looks at how upland areas support life in the valleys below, being rainfall catchments and the home of a variety of plant and animal species necessary for keeping nature in balance. This walk is for competent hikers with prior experience of walking upland routes. (Challenging)
Book here: https://farandwild.org/causeway-coast-walking-fest-24/
Derry City & Strabane District Council
Dates: 1/2 March 2025
Themed walk per day; 2 moderate walks Saturday (Sperrins) and Sunday (Killeter) 30 people per walk. Featuring a local community celebration at each event.
Book here: https://farandwild.org
Fermanagh Omagh District Council
Dates: 22/23 March 2025
1 moderate and 1 challenging walk for max of 30 people per walk on both Saturday and Sunday.
Book here: https://farandwild.org