Evishanoran Mountain

The walk up Evishanoran Mountain from Cookstown takes you through proper hill country, the kind of landscape that reminds you why people bother with Northern Ireland at all. It's not a massive peak - you're looking at around 1,400 feet - but the views across the Sperrins are worth the leg work, especially on a clear day when you can see for miles across Mid Ulster.

The ascent is straightforward enough for anyone with reasonable fitness. Most walkers allow two to three hours return, depending on which route you take from the lower slopes. The terrain is typical moorland - a bit boggy in places, so decent boots matter. On a grey day it feels properly wild; on a good one it's genuinely lovely.

This works brilliantly if you're based near Cookstown and fancy a proper walk without needing a full day's expedition. It's the kind of thing that appeals to hikers and families with older kids rather than casual strollers - the weather can turn quickly up there, and you'll want to be prepared. If you're staying at Sperrinview Glamping just down the road, it's an obvious choice for a morning or afternoon out.

There's no visitor infrastructure on the mountain itself - just the hill, the moorland, and the views. That's rather the point. Bring a map, check the forecast, and go on a day when visibility is decent. It's free and straightforward, which is exactly how it should be.