Gortin to Moneyneany
The Sperrin Mountains form the largest area of upland in Northern Ireland. This 21-mile section of the Ulster Way journeys through the heart of the range, mainly following quiet roads and tracks. The highlight is the middle portion through the exceptionally scenic Glenelly Valley. From the head of the valley, walkers who wish to shorten the final road section to Moneyneany can use the public bus service along the B47.
| County | Distance | OS Map | Terrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrone | 23 miles (37.15 km) | Sheet 8 & 13 | Rural Roads and short sections of forest track. |
| Start Town / Village | Finish Town / Village | Grid References | Points of Interest |
| Gortin | Moneyneany | Starts at H492858 Ends at H751971 | Gortin, Barnes Gap, Glenelly, Draperstown Rural College, Moneyneany |
Getting to The Start
By Car
Gortin is accessed via the B48 from Omagh. On street parking is available in the quiet village of Gortin.
By Public Transport
Gortin is regularly served by Ulsterbus Service 92 from Omagh and during July and August by Sperrins Rambler Service 403 (operates all year round).
For timetable information please consult Translink website http://www.translink.co.uk/present/IndexOpSvc.asp#ULB
How to Walk the Route (Following a Clockwise Direction)
Please note that waymarking is only in place between Gortin and GR H704942
From the start in Gortin village, walk to the top of the main street and turn right onto the B48 Gortin-Plumbridge road. Follow this road for fifteen minutes to cross Trinamadan Bridge. On the other side of the bridge turn right onto Gorticashel Road, then quickly left onto the Trinamadan Road. Follow this road gently uphill onto the lower slopes of Slievemore. After forty minutes you come to a T-junction – turn right and continue along the Menadoo Road as it contours along the mountainside high above the Owenkillew valley.
After an hour Menadoo Road swings sharply to the right and begins to descend. Turn left here and follow a track as it continues along the contours of the valley. Keep straight ahead at two junctions and pass a deserted farm before reaching a surfaced road just south of Barnes Gap, thirty minutes after leaving Menadoo Road.
At the cross roads take the lower road to descend through the gapas views of Glenelly and the main summits of the Sperrin Mountains begin to open up in front of you. From the car park and amenity area follow the signs leading to the Corramore Road as it contours along the southern slopes of the Glenelly Valley all the way to the hamlet of Sperrin, two to two and a half hours from Barnes Gap.
Turn right onto the B47 and proceed carefully along it in the direction of Draperstown. After forty or fifty minutes you pass Goles Standing Stones on the left and then cross Goles Bridge. Stay on the B47 as you climb across the head of the Glenelly Valley and then descend steeply along the Glengomma valley. After an hour to an hour and a half, turn left onto a minor road and cross Glengomma Bridge. Turn left onto Bancran Road and follow it for approximately one hour to a junction with the B162. Turn left and proceed carefully into Moneyneany, thirty minutes from the junction.
Facilities Along the Route
Refreshments are available at the start and finish of the route in Gortin and Moneyneany. However this is a long route with no refreshment stops along the way – walkers should carry provisions accordingly.
There is a hostel at the start of the route in Gortin with a campsite 3 miles to south on B48.
The Rural College offers Bed and Breakfast accomodation in the Derrynoid Conference Centre just before Moneyneany.
There is no accommodation available along the route so walkers may have to arrange accommodation off the route in Omagh.
Linking to the Next Section
The next section is another Quality Section from Moneyneany to Dungiven so just continue walking.
