Learmount Forest

Learmount Forest covers just over 1340 hectares (over 3000 acres) of the foothills at the northern face of the Sperrin Mountains. Bought by the Forest Service at the end of the Second World War, it has over 15 different tree species planted, with some well over 100 years old.

This is due to the planting of selected trees by Henry Barre de la Poer Beresford, who came from Staffordshire as Landlord at the time of the Plantation of Derry by the London Companies. The imposing castle was built by him in 1830 as an extension of an older building erected by a Captain Montgomery around 1710. The castle was used by Ashleigh House Girls School (Belfast) during the war, and then by the Youth Hostel Association until later it was bought by the present private owner.

Roads and paths offer over 4km of trails that rise 200m up from the banks of the River Faughan to the slopes of Meeny Hill. A gentle circular route for cyclists runs between the Community Centre and the castle, whilst elsewhere cyclists are excluded from the waymarked walks that follow the banks of the Faughan. Parts may be considered steep, and as routes use working forest roads, stout footwear is advisable.

Faughan Walk

The River Faughan rises on the highest mountain in the Sperrins – Sawel Mountain – and then flows 46km to Lough Foyle, entering the forest under the Footstick bridge at Altinure. Near here you may be able to see the tracks of an otter in the sand of the river’s edge, and further downstream Dippers are common, along with the occasional Heron or Grey Wagtail – possibly even a Kingfisher. Above a Buzzard may alert you to its presence by its distinctive “mewing” call. Away from the river, the Badger, Fox, Stoat and Red Squirrel prefer a more secluded habitat – have a look under the conifers to try and find a cone that has been stripped of its bracts (the outside petal-like parts) by squirrels searching for the seeds inside.

Various supporters have produced 3 A4 leaflets which give more information covering the forest Trails, Flowers and Flowers, which can be downloaded and printed to take around the forest

The new wind farm can be seen to the south of the Baranilt Road leading to Loughermore Forest.
A number of the blocks are included in the North Sperrins Area of Outstanding Beauty.
From the higher points of the forest there are extensive views over Lough Foyle and the Donegal hills beyond.
In the forest as a whole there is not much organised recreation, from the car park on the Baranailt Road there is a small single-track walk along the water to the Slaghtmanus road. Along this route many insects and invertebrates can be seen plus various plants throughout the year.

The car park is at the community centre in Park. This is along the Learmount Road at the edge of the village.