Slievemore

Slievemore rises 678 metres above the Sperrins, and on a clear day the walk up rewards you with views that stretch across half of Ulster. The mountain sits above Cookstown, making it an obvious target for anyone staying in the area, though most visitors seem to miss it entirely.

The ascent itself isn't technical - it's moorland walking, which means bog and tussock grass rather than scrambling. The main route takes around two hours up and back depending on fitness, and it's genuinely popular with locals who know what they're doing. You'll pass through heather and rough grassland that shifts colour through the seasons. In autumn particularly, it's rather good.

Walkers get the most from Slievemore. Families with young children might find the bog a bit relentless - it's muddy and energy-sapping rather than dangerous, but toddlers will struggle. History buffs won't find much up there, though the Sperrins themselves have Iron Age forts dotted about if you know where to look.

The weather matters enormously. I've been up when visibility stretched for miles, and I've been up when you couldn't see fifty metres. Pick a decent forecast and you'll understand why people bother. If you're staying at Sperrinview Glamping nearby, this is a proper half-day out rather than a detour.

No facilities on the mountain itself, so bring water and snacks. Free to access, naturally - it's a fell.