Sawel, the highest of the Sperrins

From the lay-by on the Sperrin Road, a mapped path leads west over open moor, rising steadily to the broad top of Sawel. At 678 m it is the highest summit of the Sperrins and the highest point of both County Londonderry and County Tyrone, and the county boundary runs across it. Dart Mountain, 619 m, lies about 2 km to the south-west. The way back is the same path.

It is 4.7 km there and back with 346 m of ascent; allow about 2½ hours. The grade is Moderate: a short walk, but over wet, peaty moor with no waymarks, a steady climb of about 350 m and a summit with no shelter. We have set a floor of Moderate for that reason. Boots, a waterproof and a map and compass matter more than the distance suggests, and in mist the top is easy to lose.

Sawel has no waymarked route and no managing body we could find. Mountaineering Ireland says that access to Ireland's hills rests on landowners' goodwill and should not be taken for granted. Keep to the path, close gates, and keep dogs under close control near stock. The montane heath on the summit is wearing away under boots and grazing: keep to the line already worn.

The lay-by is a roadside pull-in on the Sperrin Road; no charge is stated or mapped. 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.