Sperrin Mountains National Landscape – Open Uplands, Peatlands, and Northern Ireland’s Quiet Interior

Broad Hills, Ancient Landscapes, and Underrated Space

Sperrin Mountains National Landscape lies in the heart of Northern Ireland, spanning large upland areas of County Tyrone and County Londonderry. Often overlooked in favour of the coast or more famous mountain regions, the Sperrins protect one of the most extensive and least developed upland landscapes on the island — defined by broad hills, peat-covered plateaux, and a strong sense of interior space.

Walking journeys here are shaped by openness and subtlety rather than drama. Rounded summits rise gradually from wide glens, creating routes defined by distance, weather, and navigation rather than steep ascent or technical terrain. Movement is steady and continuous, unfolding across empty hills where the scale of land matters more than individual peaks.

The character of the Sperrins is expansive and understated. Long ridgelines, gentle watersheds, and high moorland create walking that feels calm but exposed, particularly in poor weather. The absence of sharp relief allows wide views in clear conditions, reinforcing a strong sense of space and orientation.

Peatland dominates much of the landscape. Blanket bog, pools, and saturated ground shape both movement and rhythm, demanding careful footwork and route choice. These uplands are ecologically rich, storing water and carbon while reinforcing the Sperrins’ identity as a living, working landscape rather than a recreational playground.

Water plays a quiet organising role. Rivers rise in the hills and flow outward through long glens, carving natural corridors that guide walking routes between upland and lowland. Valleys such as Glenelly provide structure and shelter, linking remote ground with small settlements at the margins.

Human history is woven deeply into the land. Ancient sites, including stone circles and ritual landscapes, sit alongside traces of farming and long-established movement routes. Places like Beaghmore reflect the Sperrins’ long relationship between people, land, and belief, adding cultural depth to walking journeys across the hills.

Despite their scale, the Sperrins remain lightly visited. There are few honeypot locations and little concentrated infrastructure, allowing walkers to experience the uplands without crowds or compression. This lack of pressure gives the landscape a rare sense of continuity and quiet.

Weather remains a defining factor. Wind, cloud, and rain move freely across the hills, shaping visibility and progress. Conditions can change quickly, reinforcing the need for preparation and judgement, even on ground that appears gentle.

Lower ground offers contrast. Valley floors, riverside paths, and minor roads provide softer routes and linking sections, allowing journeys that mix open upland with settled landscapes. This transition between hill and glen gives the Sperrins a balanced, unforced rhythm.

Accommodation and services sit mainly around the edges of the uplands, encouraging deliberate entry into the hills rather than casual access. For walkers seeking space, silence, and one of Northern Ireland’s most understated upland landscapes, the Sperrin Mountains National Landscape offers an experience defined by scale, peat, and quiet continuity.

Where to Walk and Explore

Open Moorland and High Ridges

‍Broad upland terrain with rounded hills, long views, and subtle contours.

Peatlands and Watersheds

‍Blanket bog and waterlogged ground shaping both movement and ecology.

Glens and River Valleys

‍Natural corridors linking upland routes with lower, sheltered landscapes.

Historic and Ritual Landscapes

‍Walking routes passing ancient sites embedded within the hills.

Adventure Highlights

• One of Northern Ireland’s largest upland landscapes
• Broad hills and long, steady walking routes
• Extensive peatland and blanket bog systems
• Strong sense of quiet and remoteness
• Deep cultural and archaeological layers
• Lightly visited and largely undeveloped