Sawel Mountain from Sperrin Road
County Tyrone
Sawel Mountain is the highest point of the Sperrins at 678 metres, straddling the Tyrone and Londonderry border above the Glenelly Valley, a tough climb that will test a fit dog as much as you. This 5km there-and-back route starts from a small lay-by on the Sperrin Road and climbs directly beside a fence line that runs to the summit, since there is no waymarked path. The first stretch is the hardest, a steep pull over ground that is often wet and boggy underfoot, before the angle eases on the broad grassy shoulder that leads to the trig point. There is 361 metres of climbing in total, and on a clear day the summit gives a wide panorama over the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and down into the valleys of Tyrone and Londonderry.
This is a dog friendly walk for a fit dog that does not mind rough ground, though there is little shelter and no shade once you leave the valley floor. Sheep graze the open hillside, so dogs should be kept on a lead or under very close control throughout, and the absence of any marked path means it is easy for a dog to wander out of sight in low cloud. There is no water source to rely on, so bring enough for both of you, and no facilities of any kind on the mountain. Parking is limited to the informal lay-by, which holds about three cars, and the nearest villages with cafes and pubs are Plumbridge and Draperstown.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 2 hr 10 min
- Walk Type
- Peak, Moorland
- Route Type
- Out and Back
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- None on route; cafes and pubs in Plumbridge and Draperstown.
- Parking
- Informal lay-by on the Sperrin Road, free, space for about three cars.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Sawel Mountain from Sperrin Road, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sawel Mountain from Sperrin Road dog friendly?
Sawel Mountain earns a 7/10 for dog friendliness, and it's a great choice for fit, adventurous dogs who don't mind rough, boggy terrain. The 5km there-and-back route to the highest summit in the Sperrins is a genuine challenge, so it's best suited to dogs that are used to hill walking rather than a casual outing.
Can dogs be off lead at Sawel Mountain from Sperrin Road?
Dogs should be kept on a lead or under very close control for the whole route, as sheep graze the open hillside throughout. It's also worth bearing in mind that there's no waymarked path and visibility can drop quickly in low cloud, making it easy for a dog to wander out of sight if not kept close.
What should I know before visiting Sawel Mountain from Sperrin Road with my dog?
There are no facilities of any kind on the mountain and no reliable water source, so bring enough water for both of you before you set off. The ground is often wet and boggy, especially on the steep lower section, and there's little shelter or shade once you leave the valley — the parking is also limited to an informal lay-by with space for around three cars, so an early start is a good idea.
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