Davagh Forest: the Solar Walk to Beaghmore Stone Circles

From the car park at the OM Dark Sky Park in Davagh Forest, the Solar Walk starts behind the observatory, runs through the forest and over Davagh Water, then follows a boardwalk across peat bog and a shared road to the Beaghmore Stone Circles. The circles, rows of stones and cairns stand on open moor; the walk turns around among them and returns the same way.

It is 7.6 km there and back with 53 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy: a gently rolling path, boardwalk and a short stretch of road. Tourism NI rates the Solar Walk as suitable for users of moderate ability and says small sections have loose gravel. Markers along the way carry QR codes for an augmented-reality guide to the solar system.

Davagh Forest holds the only Dark Sky Park in Northern Ireland. Beaghmore has seven circles, ten rows of stones and twelve cairns, found during peat cutting in the late 1930s; Visit Mid Ulster lists its parking and access as free. The forest road and the Beaghmore end are shared with traffic, so keep to the verge. Parts of the forest can be restricted from time to time because of forest operations, says nidirect: pay attention to signs.

Davagh Parking is tagged as free in OpenStreetMap and no official charge was found. No bus, café or shop is reached on this walk.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.