Attractions and Places To See around Corratary - Top 14

Corratary is nestled within the Sperrin Mountains, offering diverse natural landscapes. You can visit Sawel Mountain Summit, the highest peak in the range, for expansive views. Another must-see is Barnes Gap, a breathtaking glacial overflow formation cutting through the southern Sperrin Mountains ridge.

Yes, Corratary is rich in ancient history. A prominent site is Beaghmore Stone Circles, a complex of early Bronze Age megalithic features, stone circles, and cairns dating back to 2900 - 2600 BC. You can also find Aghascrebagh Ogham Stone, a rare ogham stone in Ulster marked with an ancient form of the Irish language.

The Sperrin Mountains offer excellent hiking. The ascent to Sawel Mountain Summit is a popular intermediate route, providing uninterrupted views. While specific hiking routes are not detailed here, you can find various trails, including those for mountain biking and road cycling, in the guides for Road Cycling Routes around Corratary, MTB Trails around Corratary, and Cycling around Corratary.

For stunning panoramic views, head to Sawel Mountain Summit, the highest point in the Sperrins. From here, you can see across the countryside of County Londonderry and Tyrone. Barnes Gap also offers breathtaking vistas as you pass through this unique glacial formation.

Yes, Beaghmore Stone Circles is considered a family-friendly historical site where visitors of all ages can explore ancient megalithic features. The natural landscapes of the Sperrin Mountains also offer opportunities for family walks and outdoor exploration, though some trails may be more challenging.

The Sperrin Mountains, including the Corratary area, are best enjoyed during the warmer and drier months, typically from late spring to early autumn (May to September). This period offers more pleasant weather for hiking and exploring the natural and historical sites. However, the landscape can be beautiful in winter, though conditions will be wetter and colder, requiring appropriate gear.

Yes, you can visit Learmount Castle, a stunning Tudor-Gothic mansion built in the 1830s. Although now abandoned, its grandeur can still be imagined amidst the Learmont Park, which also offers gravel and mixed-terrain tracks for exploration.

Beyond exploring the attractions themselves, the Corratary area is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for road cycling, mountain biking, and general cycling. These guides offer routes of varying difficulty, allowing you to experience the scenic landscapes of the Sperrin Mountains.

While many trails in the Sperrin Mountains can be intermediate, there are options for easier exploration. For example, some sections around Beaghmore Stone Circles are relatively flat and accessible. For specific easy cycling routes, you can check the MTB Trails around Corratary guide, which lists an 'easy' rated route like the OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory – Red Trail.

Visitors particularly appreciate the stunning natural beauty and the sense of history. The uninterrupted views from Sawel Mountain Summit are a highlight, as is the unique geological formation of Barnes Gap. The ancient mystery and astronomical significance of Beaghmore Stone Circles also captivate many.

When visiting Sawel Mountain Summit, it's recommended to wear waterproof shoes or boots, as the ground can be wet even on dry days. The vegetation around the summit is montane heathland, featuring heather, bilberries, and cowberries. From the 678m summit, you'll be rewarded with extensive views across County Londonderry and Tyrone.

Beaghmore Stone Circles is a complex site with seven low stone circles, twelve cairns, and ten stone rows, totaling 1269 stones discovered under peat. The stones are relatively small, and the circles are distorted, suggesting a connection to ancient burial cairns and astronomical observations. It's a place to reflect on the ancient people who observed the same sky, sun, moon, and stars.