Colmcille Climbers

Co. Derry/Londonderry. Map OSNI Sheet 7 & 8, or Sperrins Activity Map 1:25,000

The Ride

This is a popular route, almost entirely off road, taking in the beautiful Altnaheglish Glen, Banagher reservoir, with a lovely non technical descent to finish. Terrific, the gem of the Sperrins for those not looking for anything too challenging!

Terrain, initially tarmac, then good forestry tracks.  One short optional technical climb and descent.

Time 1.75-2 hours.  Distance 20km

Approach

From Dungiven, take the Feeney road, and follow the signage left to Banagher, parking at Gr ........  There is space for 3 or 4 cars here. 

Route

Beyond the gate, a private water service road leads delightfully alongside a stream for about a mile to the bottom of Banagher Glen.   Continue past the old waterworks buildings, carparks etc following the signage to the dam.  Climbing gradually on tarmac, with the river initially  on your left, and after about 20 minutes you reach the dam.   Just beyond, the gravel track descends and runs along the lakeside, through a gate, above the serpentine shores of the stunningly beautiful Banagher  reservoir. 

At the far end of the lake, turn right at Gr 709 027, following the stony track downhill, across a stream, and right, climbing gradually for just under a kilometre, turning left at Gr 703 030.  Continue to climb, then left along the forest edge over the top of Altnaheglish hill, descending to a T junction.  Turn left and follow the track down to a concrete bridge, marked 'Ford' on the map Gr 699 013.  After crossing the Crooked Burn, turn right and follow the track in a NW direction, recrossing the stream, to a junction at Gr 676 034.  Ignore the right turn, and continue straight, on a more minor track, through a gate with a 'road closed' sign on it.

This continues gradually, and delightfully through mature woodland,  downhill on a narrowing path, to another gate.  Either continue straight on (ignoring another right turn) or take a steep narrow path uphill on the left, just beyond the gate (more challenging); both of which will lead back to the car parks at the bottom of the glen.  Return to the car by the water service road.