22 Mountain Peaks to Explore in Ulster

Checkout places to visit in Ulster

Ulster

Ulster is one of the four traditional Irish provinces, in the north of Ireland. It is made up of nine counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland; the remaining three are in the Republic of Ireland. It is full of places to explore. Here is the Ultimate Ulster bucket list of things you must do here before you die.

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Mountain Peaks to Explore in Ulster

Belmore Mountain

Belmore Mountain is a hill in the townland of Gortgall, western County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. It is the second highest point in Fermanagh, the highest being at Cuilcagh on the Northern Ireland–Republic of Ireland border in the south of the county. The mountain also gives its name to an Irish earldom. Somerset Lowry-Corry, 4th Earl Belmore, served from 1868 to 1872 as the 14th Governor of New South Wales.

Ben Crom

Ben Crom is a 526 metres mountain in the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is situated beside Ben Crom Reservoir, which is upstream from Silent Valley Reservoir. The mountain is composed of granite. An exposed area on the south west of the mountain shows where the Eocene aplitic granite meets the laccolith top of the older Mesozoic granite ring dike. The summit of the mountain features granite crags which are crossed by basic and feldspar porphyry dikes.

Bluestack

Bluestack Mountains, also called the Croaghgorms, are the major mountain range in the south of County Donegal, Ireland. They provide a barrier between the south of the county, such as Donegal Town and Ballyshannon, and the towns to the north and west such as Dungloe and Letterkenny. The road between the two parts of the county goes through the Barnesmore Gap. It is one of the iconic attraction in this area and also offers beautiful views too.

Cliffs of Magho Viewpoint

The Cliffs of Magho are a 9-kilometre-long limestone escarpment located in the townland of Magho, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. The NNW-facing cliffs overlook the western reaches of Lower Lough Erne and define the northern edge of Lough Navar Forest, a major plantation managed by the Forest Service of Northern Ireland. A popular viewpoint atop the cliffs is accessed by a forest drive. The cliffs are a proposed Area of Special Scientific Interest.

Cuilcagh

Cuilcagh is a mountain on the border between County Fermanagh and County Cavan. With a height of 665 metres it is the highest point in both counties. It is also the 170th highest peak on the island of Ireland, and Ireland's only cross-border county top. Water from the southern slope flows underground until it emerges some miles away in the Shannon Pot, the traditional source of the River Shannon. The area is sometimes referred to as the Cuilcagh Mountains

Cuilcagh

A beautiful mountain on the border between County Fermanagh With a height of 665 metres. It is also the 170th highest peak on the island of Ireland, and Ireland's only cross-border county top. The Cuilcagh area supports a rich assemblage of upland insects, and is one of the most important sites in Ireland for these species.

Cuilcagh Mountain Park & Cuilcagh BoardWalk

Cuilcagh Mountain Park takes in 2500 hectares on the northern slopes of Cuilcagh Mountain, at the heart of the UNESCO Global Geopark. The route meanders through one of the largest expanses of blanket bog in Northern Ireland, traversing over tracks, boardwalk and staircase. A steep climb is required to reach the viewing platform on Cuilcagh Mountain which provides breath taking views of the surrounding low lands.

Errigal

Errigal is a 751-metre mountain near Gweedore in County Donegal, Ireland. It is the tallest peak of the Derryveagh Mountains and the tallest peak in County Donegal. Errigal is also the most southern and the highest of the mountain chain called the "Seven Sisters" by locals. Errigal is known for the pinkish glow of its quartzite in the setting sun. It is a good trekking destination and also there are so many things to explore here.

Muckish

A beautiful mountain which forms the backdrop to the village of Dunfanaghy and the surrounding area. It's distinctive flat topped shape gave it its name - an Mhucais, meaning "the pig's back".Muckish is also the most northern and second highest of the mountain chain called the "Seven Sisters" by locals. The Seven Sisters are Muckish, Crocknalaragagh, Aghla Beg, Ardloughnabrackbaddy, Aghla More, Mackoght, and Errigal.

Sliabh Beagh

Slieve Beagh is a mountainous area straddling the border between County Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland and County Fermanagh and County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. A point just east of its summit is the highest point in Monaghan; however the true summit is on the Fermanagh-Tyrone border. The point where the three counties meet, is referred to as the "Three County Hollow". The area is mainly blanket bog, with many small lakes and streams throughout.

Slieve Bearnagh

Slieve Bearnagh is one of the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Northern Ireland. It has a height of 739 metres. Its summit is crowned by two tors with a gap between them, giving it a distinctive shape. The Mourne Wall crosses the summit of Slieve Bearnagh east to west. Paths lead to the cols on either side of the mountain, namely Pollaphuca to the west and Hare's Gap to the east. From the latter, one can also descend southwards to the head of the Ben Crom reservoir.

Slieve Binnian

It is the third highest mountain in Northern Ireland at 747 metres. The summit is broad and flat with rocky tors at the north and south ends, with the Back Castles, impressive towers of granite, in between. To the south-west is Wee Binnian. It lies to the east of the Silent Valley Reservoir and the west of the Annalong Valley. The Mourne Wall also crosses over Slieve Binnian. A good trekking destination and also it offers nice views too.

Slieve Commedagh

Slieve Commedagh is a 767 m mountain in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the second-highest of the Mourne Mountains, after Slieve Donard. It lies to the northwest of Slieve Donard, and the two are linked by a col. The Mourne Wall passes east-west over the mountaintop, and there is a small one-room tower at the summit. There is also the remains of an ancient burial cairn on the summit. On its southern side is a group of granite tors known as 'the Castles.

Slieve Croob

This is the highest peak in the Dromara hills, a range of mountains forming the foothills of the high Mournes. It is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is the source of the River Lagan. There is a small road to the summit, where there is an ancient burial cairn and several transmitter stations with radio masts. It has wide views over all of County Down and further afield. The Dromara Hills also includes Slievenisky, Cratlieve, Slievegarran and Slievenaboley.

Slieve Donard

Slieve Donard is the highest mountain in Northern Ireland and the wider province of Ulster, with a height of 850 metres. The highest of the Mourne Mountains, it is near the town of Newcastle on the eastern coast of County Down, overlooking the Irish Sea. It is also the highest mountain in the northern half of Ireland, and 7th highest on the island.

Slieve Meelbeg

This is a mountain located in the Mourne Mountains. It is a popular hiking destination and is 5.5 miles east of the village of Hilltown. It also offers beautiful views from here.

Slieve Meelmore

Slieve Meelmore is a mountain located in the Mourne Mountains. It is a popular hiking destination and is just under 6 mile east of the village of Hilltown. The mountain stands at a height of 680 m and is the 7th highest mountain in Northern Ireland, it is located in the West Mournes with Slieve Meelbeg to the south and Slieve Bearnagh to the east. The Mourne Wall passes over its summit.

Slieve Muck

Slieve Muck is one of the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Northern Ireland. It has a height of 670.4 metres. It has three summits which are composed of Silurian shale covering the underlying granite. The shale forms an escarpment near the eastern side of the summits. The western slope is grassy and has a number of small streams flowing into the Deer's Meadow below. A good trekking destination and also there are so many things to see and do.

Slieve Rushen

Slieve Rushen is a mountain which straddles the border between County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland and County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. The mountain is made up of grey limestone with a cap of sandstone and shales and is extensively quarried by local companies. The surface is mostly covered with peat, pine forests and grazing fields. A good greenish trekking destination and also it offers good views too.

Slieve Snaght

Slieve Snaght is a mountain in the middle of the Inishowen peninsula of County Donegal, Ireland. It is situated in the middle of Inishowen and is the peninsulas highest mountain at a height of 615 metres. The mountain is said to be so named because snow lies on its summit until late May. There is a tradition of pilgrimage to the top of Slieve Snaght at Lughnasa, and a holy well near the summit, called Tobar na Súl , is said to cure blindness.

Map of Mountain Peaks to explore in Ulster