Lough Bradan to Gortin
This section boasts some of the most extensive views on the entire Ulster Way as it journeys from the westernmost reaches of County Tyrone into the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains. At 37 miles it will be too long for most walkers to contemplate tackling in a single day, but it can be broken down into several more manageable stages, each with its own individual character and scenery.
| County | Distance | OS Map | Terrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyrone | 37 miles (59 km) | Sheet 12 & 13 | Forest tracks, rural roads and waymarked open mountain |
| Start Town / Village | Finish Town / Village | Grid References | Points of Interest |
| Lough Bradan (Ederney) | Gortin | Starts at H214717 Ends at H492858 | Lough Bradan, Bolaght Mountain, Bessy Bell, Gortin Not directly on route – Pettigo, Ederney, Ulster American Folk Park |
Getting to The Start
By Car
The start at Lough Bradan is best accessed along the B72 to the north of the village of Ederney. There is however no official car parking – please park your car with respect to other road users and landowners.
By Public Transport
It is unfortunately not possible to access the start of this Quality Section by public transport. Ederney is the closest village to the start of the walk served by bus; it is a further 5 mile walk north along the B72 to the start of the walk. Ederney is served by buses from Enniskillen and Pettigo.
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 there is currently no waymarking in place along some sections of this route between the entrance to Lough Bradan Forest (H214717) and Castlecraig (H260759) and also Gortin Glen Forest Park from H467793 and H494842. It is hoped that the signage will be completed as soon as possible.
Start at the entrance to Lough Bradan Forest and follow a wide forest track into the trees. Use waymarks to navigate through several junctions until you reach the northern boundary of the forest after approximately two hours. The track continues for a short way across the bog to Lough Lee and Lough Hill Wind Farm.
Look out for waymarkers on the right leading northeast across Bolaght Mountain. There is no formal path here and the ground is uneven and often wet; it is important to follow the waymarkers carefully on this section. From the top of Bolaght Mountain there are incredibly far-reaching views encompassing most of counties Donegal and Tyrone. Descend across bogland onto an old turbary track to reach a tarred road, thirty minutes from Lough Lee.
Descend along this road through hedgerows of hawthorn and fuchsia to a junction. Turn right and continue along a minor road, enjoying fine views throughout. Turn left after approximately forty-five minutes and descend through a crossroads to the B50 Drumquin-Castlederg road. Turn right and proceed carefully along this road for fifteen minutes to a left turn. Turn left again shortly afterwards, and then follow a straight road for forty-five minutes, climbing up through the village of Drumlegagh to a crossroads.
Turn right and then left before descending into the southern reaches of the Baronscourt Estate. Pass a pretty church and continue along a minor road through forest and up onto the B84 Drumquin-Newtownstewart road. After a couple of hundred metres, turn right and then left into Upper Cloonty Wood. Climb steadily along a forest track through several junctions and into Manus Wood. Turn right onto a road for a short distance and then left onto another forest track leading into Cashty Wood. After fifteen minutes turn right at a crossroads and climb steeply for thirty or forty minutes, passing a wind farm, on the way to the triangulation pillar on the summit of Bessy Bell.
From the pillar cross the stile some 200 metres to the west and continue descending in a southeasterly direction, keeping to the right of a fence. Cross a stile and walk beneath the turbines of Beltany Windfarm. Pick up a track and go down through fields using a series of stiles. At the bottom turn right along a track and follow this down to a deserted farmhouse where the road becomes surfaced. Now descend steeply for a few minutes to the Castletown Road. Turn right and walk along the road for fifteen minutes before turning left down a very steep and narrow lane. Cross the A5 with care and follow another lane down to a bridge over the River Strule.
Once over the bridge, continue up a lane to join a minor road after five minutes. Turn right and follow a series of quiet country roads for the next hour and a half to the B48 Omagh-Gortin road. Turn left and walk along the B48 for a short distance before turning right onto a minor road that leads steeply uphill towards Glengawna and Gortin Glen Forest Park. After twenty minutes the road becomes a forest track. Keep left at track junctions and continue to climb. Fifty minutes from the start of the forest track it levels out, follow a smaller trail to the left through more forest before reaching a more significant forest trail and follow it down through the parking area of the forest park to the B48. Turn left and walk downhill along the road for a short distance before turning right onto Lisnaharney Road. Follow this for a few minutes and then turn right onto a forestry track. Follow the track uphill and over the shoulder of Crockanard before descending to the B48 once more. Cross the road and turn right onto Lenamore Road, passing Boorin National Nature Reserve and the conspicuous twin lakes of New Lough and Oak Lough. After climbing steadily for twenty minutes the road begins to descend steeply, with fine views of the Sperrin Mountains. At the bottom of the road turn left onto the B46 and walk west for ten minutes along the road into the village of Gortin.
Facilities Along the Route
Refreshments are available at the finish of the route in Gortin. However this is a long route with no refreshment stops along the way – walkers should carry provisions accordingly.
Kesh offers the widest range of accommodation near the start of this section.
There is also no accommodation along this section of the route so walkers should arrange collection for accommodation off-route in Drumquin or Omagh.
There is a hostel at the finsih of the section in Gortin with a campsite 3 miles to south on B48.
Linking to the Next Section
The next section is Quality Section - Gortin to Moneyneany which starts where this section ends so contuniung your quality walking experience could not be easier.
