Glenshane Pass to Sperrins Summit — Tyrone and Derry Upland Road via Mullaghash
Bog roads and big sky above forgotten Sperrins.
The Sperrin Mountains in Northern Ireland don’t get the same press as the Mournes or the Antrim coast, and that’s exactly why you want to be up here. The track from Glenshane Pass climbing west toward Mullaghash and the Tyrone border crosses some of the most untouched blanket bog in the British Isles — miles of amber heather, cotton grass, and peat hags with no one else around. The road itself is a mix of narrow tarmac ribbons degenerating into rough unclassified Council-maintained boreens, and the summits give you views south into Tyrone and north all the way to Lough Foyle on a clear day. Sawel Mountain at 678 metres is the high point of the Sperrins, and the approach tracks off the main road toward it are genuinely boggy challenges after autumn rain.
Moderate difficulty overall, but individual spur tracks can get properly soft and sticky — a 4WD with decent ground clearance handles the main route, but the off-piste spurs toward the summit approaches want a lifted rig and recovery kit. No permit needed on public roads; the upland boreens can be driven under Right of Way but treat the peat with respect. Best months are May through September. Maghera or Dungiven for fuel. Water crossings are minor fords — nothing serious in summer. What you get is genuine solitude and big open sky in a landscape that feels genuinely ancient.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 19 mi / 30.6 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2224 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Maghera, Northern Ireland |
| Land manager | Mid Ulster District Council / Private Landowners |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a standard Defender or lifted 4Runner handle this trail, or do I need something more serious?
A stock high-clearance 4WD is the minimum — a Defender 110, 4Runner, or similar will handle it fine in dry conditions. Lifted rigs aren't necessary, but low-range is useful on the steeper bog sections where the surface gets soft and rutted.
What's the trail like in winter — can you drive it October through April?
Winter access is genuinely risky here. The high bog road becomes waterlogged and can swallow vehicles that look fine on the surface, and snowfall above 1,500 ft closes it without warning. Stick to May–September unless you know the Sperrins well and have recovery gear sorted.
Are there any permits, fees, or landowner permissions needed to drive this route?
No formal permit or fee is required, but sections cross private farmland under informal access arrangements. Leave gates as you find them, don't camp on enclosed land without asking, and treat it like you'd want someone treating your property — that's what keeps it open.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually be prepared for?
The bog road stretches between Mullaghash and the Tyrone uplands are where it gets honest — soft peat tracks that can be axle-deep in wet conditions, with limited room to turn around. After rain, what looks like a firm track can give way fast; have a traction board and tow strap rigged before you get into it, not after.
Is there anywhere to refuel or get water along the 19 miles — how self-sufficient do I need to be?
There are no fuel stops or services on the route itself — fill up in Maghera before you leave. Cell service is patchy across the Sperrins, so don't rely on it for navigation or emergency contact; carry a physical OS map and let someone know your plan before you head out.
Trail track
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