Loughnaforanaght

The water at Loughnaforanaght sits perfectly still most mornings, reflecting the Sperrins like a dark mirror. It's a proper mountain lake - nothing fancy, no visitor centre or tea shop - just the kind of place you stumble upon and think, why aren't more people here?

There's a small car park at the end of a quiet country lane outside Omagh, and from there you can walk the shoreline or simply stand and soak it in. The lake's maybe half a mile across, ringed by conifer plantation that's gradually giving way to native woodland. On a clear day the view south towards the higher peaks is genuinely fine.

Walkers get the most from Loughnaforanaght. There's no formal circuit, but you can pick your way along the eastern shore without too much difficulty - allow an hour for a gentle ramble. Photographers come for the light, especially early morning or late afternoon when the water turns to burnished copper. Fishers know it well, though you'll need permission.

Families with young children might find it a bit unremarkable on a grey day - it's not the kind of place with slides or cafes. Teenagers who like landscape won't be bored.

Combine it with Gortin Glen Glamping just five miles away, which offers proper outdoor accommodation. The lake works well as a morning walk before heading into the Sperrins proper, or as a half-hour detour if you're based in that corner of Fermanagh. It costs nothing and rarely gets rammed.