Days Out NI
Nature & wildlife Plumbridge

Mullaghbane Sperrins Biodiversity Trail

A free upland bog walk in the Sperrins where curlews call and Irish hares run.

4 photos
OpenOpen access all year. Spring and summer (…
FreeNo ticket needed
PlumbridgeNature & wildlife
Get directionsOfficial website
3 hoursHow long
FreeEntry
Best for older…Best for
On leadsDogs
NearbyParking

Mullaghbane Sperrins Biodiversity Trail — A free upland bog walk in the Sperrins where curlews call and Irish hares run.

  • What you'll see: Curlew, golden plover, snipe, hen harrier, red grouse and Irish hares; cotton-grass, sphagnum moss and sundews on the bog.
  • Season: Open access all year. Spring and summer (roughly April to July) are best for nesting birds, cotton-grass and clear walking conditions.
  • Dogs: Dogs allowed on the open hill but this is ground-nesting bird and sheep country, so keep them on a lead, especially March to July.
  • Parking: Use the marked Glenelly Valley car parks such as Barnes Gap, at the junction of Landahussy and Mullaghbane Roads off the B47, signposted from Plumbridge. Park considerately and don't block farm gates.
  • Food: None on site. Bring a packed lunch and a flask; nearest shops and cafés are in Plumbridge.
  • Toilets: No toilets on site. Go before you leave Plumbridge.
Plan your visit

Wildlife the whole family can spot

This is upland blanket bog and heath, so the wildlife is the show. Listen for the curlew's eerie bubbling call and the piping of golden plover, and scan the sky for hen harriers gliding low over the heather. Red grouse and snipe nest in the bog, and Irish hares lope across the open ground. Down at your feet, summer brings white tufts of cotton-grass, spongy sphagnum moss and sticky red sundews that trap insects. Give the kids binoculars and a tick-list and the walk turns into a hunt.

Free Open all year Curlew and golden plover Irish hares Sperrins AONB Dark skies
Good to know before you go:

The Sperrins host guided walks and seasonal events through the year, including the Sperrins and Killeter Walking Festival with bog and valley routes near Plumbridge. Guided wildlife and peatland walks pop up in spring and summer when the birds are nesting. Check before you travel, as upland weather changes fast.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🔭BinocularsHalf the fun is spotting the birds, seals or deer before they spot you.
  • 👟Walking shoes or welliesPaths can be soft, grassy or muddy after rain — comfy waterproof feet win.
  • 🧥A coatOut in the open the weather changes fast; dress for it and enjoy the fresh air.
  • 💧Water and a snackReserves are quiet places — few have a café, so pack a little something.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free.
Opening / season
Open access all year. Spring and summer (roughly April to July) are best for nesting birds, cotton-grass and clear walking conditions.
Best for ages
Best for older children and families who enjoy walking and wildlife spotting. Not suited to toddlers or buggies.
What you'll see
Curlew, golden plover, snipe, hen harrier, red grouse and Irish hares; cotton-grass, sphagnum moss and sundews on the bog.
Food
None on site. Bring a packed lunch and a flask; nearest shops and cafés are in Plumbridge.
Toilets
No toilets on site. Go before you leave Plumbridge.
Parking
Use the marked Glenelly Valley car parks such as Barnes Gap, at the junction of Landahussy and Mullaghbane Roads off the B47, signposted from Plumbridge. Park considerately and don't block farm gates.
Dogs
Dogs allowed on the open hill but this is ground-nesting bird and sheep country, so keep them on a lead, especially March to July.
Accessibility
Rough, wet and uneven upland terrain with no surfaced paths. Not wheelchair or buggy accessible. Wear walking boots.
How long to allow
1 to 3 hours on the hill, or a half to full day combined with the Glenelly Valley drive and a nearby forest park.
Address
Mullaghbane Road / Barnes Gap area, Glenelly Valley, near Plumbridge, Co. Tyrone, BT79. Sperrins AONB.
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free.
What will we see?
Curlew, golden plover, snipe, hen harrier, red grouse and Irish hares; cotton-grass, sphagnum moss and sundews on the bog.
When is the best time to go?
Open access all year. Spring and summer (roughly April to July) are best for nesting birds, cotton-grass and clear walking conditions.
Can I bring the dog?
Dogs allowed on the open hill but this is ground-nesting bird and sheep country, so keep them on a lead, especially March to July.
Where do I park?
Use the marked Glenelly Valley car parks such as Barnes Gap, at the junction of Landahussy and Mullaghbane Roads off the B47, signposted from Plumbridge. Park considerately and don't block farm gates.
Getting there

Mullaghbane Sperrins Biodiversity Trail is at Mullaghbane Road / Barnes Gap area, Glenelly Valley, near Plumbridge, Co. Tyrone, BT79. Sperrins AONB.. Use the marked Glenelly Valley car parks such as Barnes Gap, at the junction of Landahussy and Mullaghbane Roads off the B47, signposted from Plumbridge. Park considerately and don't block farm gates. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

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The story

About the place

The Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers a glaciated sweep of hills holding a large proportion of the UK's internationally important blanket bog. The high ground above the Glenelly Valley, between Plumbridge and Draperstown, is classic upland bog and heath, with heather, bilberry, cowberry and rare montane plants. The nearby north slope of Mullaghclogha is the only place in Ireland where wild cloudberry grows.

These peatlands are a stronghold for vulnerable upland birds. Curlew, golden plover, snipe, hen harrier and red grouse all depend on the open moor, alongside Irish hares and large heath butterflies. Conservation bodies including Ulster Wildlife survey and restore Sperrins peatland to help these species recover, which is why intact bog like this matters so much.

Sphagnum moss is the engine of it all, slowly building the peat that locks away carbon and feeds the bog's cotton-grass and sundews. It's a quiet, weather-beaten place, but on the right day it gives families a real taste of wild Northern Ireland for nothing more than the cost of fuel and a flask.