Ballygroll Prehistoric Complex
On the slope of the hill are scattered at least 12 small round cairns and 6 stone circles. Now under state care, there are paths to the main monuments, wedge-tombs and a court-tomb with a V-shaped forecourt.
County Londonderry
Distance 0.3 miles
OS Map 7
Terrain Farm track / heather moorland
Nearest Town Claudy
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference C526138
Route Type Parkland & Grassland
Route Description
Proceed along the farm lane. Paths lead around the main monuments. Return via the farm lane.
Point of Interest
Cairns, stone circles, tombs
Getting to the start
Signposted from Ervey Rd, accessed off A6. Approachable via a farm lane.
Public transport
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
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Walk Route
Ballygroll Prehistoric Complex
This route is easy to find due to the signage along the road just where the farm track begins. The track is now tarmac and in great condition just be sure to close the gate behind you.
Near the end of the track there is room to park a couple of cars but be sure to leave room for the farmer to pass by. There’s a kissing gate at the entrance; this is the only identification that you are at the right spot. Unfortunately after the the path is mostly overgrown and difficult to see/follow. Some spots are easier than others but in the main I recommend you take and use walking poles to find places to step.
We did find some cairns and what appeared to be a tomb but these too were covered in vegetation and difficult to see properly.
At best this site has good views of the Sperrins and surrounding countryside but as for the prehistoric interest, this is left to your imagination and awe of the activity back in the day.
This site is very unimpressive. It is completely overgrown with heather, moss and whin bushes. None of the above tombs are in anyway visible – I may have identified one or two upright stones. There is also no signage giving information. The walk up to it is a farm track hemmed in by a fence on either side. There are plenty of other places to visit nearby that I would recommend over this one.