Banagher Glen and Dam Walk
County Londonderry
Banagher Glen has been a National Nature Reserve since 1974 and protects one of the largest and oldest surviving areas of ancient oak and ash woodland in Ireland, on steep glen sides south of Dungiven, where dogs stay on the lead to protect the wildlife. The route follows a surfaced road from the car park up the glen beside the Altnaheglish River to Banagher Dam and the reservoir above it, climbing steadily through woodland where rowan, hazel, hawthorn and holly grow beneath the oak and ash canopy. The surface is sound throughout but includes some genuinely steep sections, and the going is loose and uneven in places rather than a smooth path, giving around 100 metres of climbing over the out-and-back route to the dam.
This dog friendly walk sits within a nature reserve and Special Area of Conservation, so dogs must be kept on a lead throughout to protect the ancient woodland's wildlife, which limits off-lead time here compared with ordinary forest walks. There is no livestock, and the mature tree cover gives good shade for warm days, with the river offering a look at the water even if access to it is limited by the steep glen sides. The car park gate operates on a seasonal basis, but the reserve is accessible year round if you park just outside the gate. There are no facilities on site beyond seasonal toilets, with refreshments and toilets available in Dungiven.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 3.1 km (1.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Reservoir
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Seasonal toilets at the car park; cafes and shops in Dungiven.
- Parking
- Free car park at Banagher Glen Nature Reserve, off Magheramore Road; gate operates seasonally, park outside it the rest of the year.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Banagher Glen and Dam Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in County LondonderryFrequently Asked Questions
Is Banagher Glen and Dam Walk dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The ancient woodland setting and climb up to Banagher Dam make for an interesting, varied walk, and there is no livestock to worry about. The score reflects the lead-at-all-times rule that comes with being a nature reserve and Special Area of Conservation, plus the steep, sometimes loose ground.
Can dogs be off lead at Banagher Glen and Dam Walk?
No, off-lead potential is low. As a National Nature Reserve and Special Area of Conservation protecting ancient woodland, Banagher Glen asks that dogs are kept under close control, effectively on a lead, throughout the site to protect its wildlife and habitat.
What should I know before visiting Banagher Glen and Dam Walk with my dog?
The surfaced road up the glen has some genuinely steep sections and loose, uneven ground, so it is more demanding than the distance suggests. Toilets at the car park operate seasonally, and there are no other facilities on site, though Dungiven has cafes and shops nearby. The car park gate itself is only open seasonally, but you can park just outside it and walk in year round.
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