12k Run Desertmartin: Stunning Views from Slieve Gallion

Route Overview & Local Insights

Tackle the rugged beauty of the Sperrin Mountains with this exhilarating 12.0km out-and-back journey up Slieve Gallion. Starting from Iniscarn Road near Desertmartin, you'll climb 445m through the atmospheric Inniscarn Forest before reaching the exposed, heathery peaks of the NE Top and the main summit. While the route is roughly 90% paved or on firm forest tracks, the Category 4 hilliness rating and sections above 500m elevation make this a true test of mountain running endurance. Runners should expect sweeping panoramic views of Lough Neagh and even the Mourne Mountains on clear days, but be prepared for rapid weather shifts that can cloak the plateau in mist within minutes.

Slieve Gallion stands as an isolated eastern outpost of the Sperrins, steeped in local folklore and ancient history. In Irish tradition, the mountain is associated with the legendary giant Finn MacCool and several Bronze Age cairns that still dot the summit. Desertmartin itself serves as a quiet gatekeeper to these heights, offering a glimpse into the rural heart of Mid-Ulster. As you run, you're traversing a landscape that has shifted from prehistoric hunting grounds to industrial-era forestry, providing a sense of solitude and scale that is hard to find on more urban trails. It’s a favorite training ground for local fell runners looking for steep gradients and reliable footing.