Loughnaolylean

Drive west from Omagh and the landscape gets properly wild. Loughnaolylean sits tucked into moorland that feels remote even though you're never far from civilization. It's a small upland lake - the sort of place where the water reflects grey sky and distant hills, and you can hear wind across the water without much else interrupting it.

What draws people here is simplicity. There's no visitor centre, no cafe, no marked trails - just the lake itself and the open ground around it. The appeal lies in the walking. The surrounding moorland offers decent circuits, and the water views shift as you move round. On a clear day you get proper perspective of the Sperrin Mountains. On a grey day, which is most days, it feels rather atmospheric.

This suits walkers and photographers more than families with young children. You're not coming for an hour - allow at least a half-day if you want to explore properly. There's a solitary quality that some will find restorative and others might find a bit bleak. It's not dramatic like alpine lakes, but that restraint is rather the point.

If you're staying at Gortin Glen Glamping - just 6 miles away - Loughnaolylean makes a natural morning or afternoon detour. The drive takes barely ten minutes. Combine it with exploring the Sperrins themselves, and you've got a solid day in the moorland. Worth the trip if you're after something quieter than the tourist circuit.