Vinegar Hill Loop
This 7 mile walk provides a taster of what the Sperrins have to offer, rolling hills, lush green valleys and a snapshot of rural life.
County Tyrone
Distance 6.6 miles
OS Map OS Sheet 13
Terrain Gravel tracks and minor roads
Nearest Town Gortin
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference H552905
Route Type Hill
Start from Barnes Gap car park in Glenelly Valley clearly marked from Gortin and the B47. The car Park was once the site of The Barnes National School. Toilets available.
This route is fully marked with way marked posts and directional arrows. It follows the same line as the Craignamaddy Route for some time but leaves it just after Scotch Town cross roads.The route follows The Craignamaddy Route and The Ulster Way at a small stand of coniferous trees at Garvagh.
From the car park follow the finger post sign for the Craignamaddy Circuit across the road proceeding uphill to the top of the gap. Just over the brow of the hill a left turn leads to a gravel lane that contours Mullaghbolig.
Continue on this track and descend into the Owenkillew Valley past Vinegar Hill on your right hand side. Pass through a farmyard onto a tarred road. Turn right and continue straight through Scotch Town cross roads until the next turn right. The Craignamaddy route turns right up this lane but Vinegar Hill route continues on straight.
At the next cross roads follow two way marked posts and continue up hill through farm buildings on each side of the road. At the next junction continue straight on to Garvagh and a small stand of coniferous trees. Turn right and rejoin the Craignamaddy and Ulster Way routes along a gravel lane. This lane continues on to meet a tarred road, turn left and you are back at Barnes Gap. You can take the high road or the low road back to the car park.
The route jointly facilitated by Omagh and Strabane District Councils. For further information contact Omagh TIC Tel – 028 8224 7831 or Strabane TIC Tel – 028 7138 4444 or see links below.
Barnes Gap, Vinegar Hill
Barnes Gap car park is located at the junction of Landahussy Road and Mullaghbane Roads. These roads are accessible from the B47 Glenelly Road that links Plumbridge, Cranagh and Sperrin.
Car Park
Grade 5
- There may not be a formalised path, and variable, single file trails are to be expected.
- Gradients and cross slope could be expected to be steep and not limited.
- Obstacles and surface breaks of greater than 75mm measured across the line of the path to be expected.
- Overhanging branches are possible. Passing places and rest areas may not be formalised or provided.
Comments will be reviewed and those that cause offence will be removed. This is at the discretion of WalkNI.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the walking routes listed on WalkNI safely and easily.
If you have come across any problems whilst walking a route, please let us so we can pass on any issues to the appropriate management body responsible for maintaining the walk.
Walk Route
Vinegar Hill Loop
Beautiful, easy! Loved it!
Walked this loop with friends on Saturday, great tracks and well waymarked. Despite some low cloud and light rain the views and scenery were amazing and well worth the effort! A real hidden gem of the Sperrins as we didn’t encounter any other walkers. The webpage mentions a closure due to a landslide in August 2017 but we didn’t come across any issues. Really enjoyed our walk and plan to go back to tackle Craignamaddy. Loving The Sperrins!
Did this walk yesterday 16/08/2016, a beautiful day with wall to wall sunshine. This is a super walk with outstanding views, some of the best the Sperrins has to offer. With good underfoot conditions throughout this is a walk that can be enjoyed throughout the year in most weather conditions. Can be comfortably done in 3 1/2 hours, including a lunch break.