Further Afield

HEADING SOUTH

Thirteen kilometres southeast of the city on the road to Dungiven lie the 18 hectares of Ness Wood in the Burntollet Valley. This is open to the public all-year round. The wood is enchanting, with picturesque nature trails, picnic sites and footbridges. It contains Northern Ireland’s highest waterfall, Ness Fall (from which the wood gets its name – an eas – the waterfall), where the Burntollet River plunges 9m into a deep pool. A narrow gorge above the fall is known as Shane’s Leap, named after an 18th-century highwayman who leapt across the chasm to escape his pursuers.

To the north of the Ness, at Ballygroll, there are stone walls reported to be the remains of a stone-age settlement. Nearby Mullaboy churchyard has an ancient stone cross. A mile from the Ness is Loughermore Forest which has some interesting walks amidst wild mountain scenery.

Further south, near Claudy, is Cumber House Riverside Park, a 22-hectare picnic area and nature reserve on the banks of the River Faughan.

At the head of the Faughan Valley lies Learmount Forest where a caravan park is located. This delightful forest nestles in the shadow of the nearby Sperrin Mountains which are interspersed with streams, forests and glens. The highest peak is Sawel at 672m.



HEADING EAST

To the north-east of Derry, in the direction of Limavady, is an area of flat land reclaimed from the Foyle centuries ago and now dotted with small townships and villages.

Benone Beach lies further north. This is said to be Ireland’s longest and most beautiful beach, especially the famous sweeping 10km-stretch facing the Atlantic. At Magilligan Point is a large Martello Tower dating back to the Napoleonic era. This tower and a similar one on the opposite side of the Foyle at Greencastle were built to defend the entrance to the Foyle against French incursion. To the east, on a prominent cliff top, is another famous circular landmark – Mussenden Temple. This is an exact copy of the Roman Temple of Vespa and was built by Frederick Augustus Hervey, a wealthy Bishop of Derry and also Earl of Bristol. The view from Gortmore picnic area atop nearby Benevenagh Mountain is breathtaking on a clear day.



ROE VALLEY COUNTRY PARK

Near Limavady is the Roe Valley Country Park where the River Roe flows through the many gorges in the valley. The disused electric plant and old mills which once lined the river have been restored to their former glory and there is a museum in a converted weaving shed. Camping and caravan facilities are also provided. T: 7772 2074.



COUNTY ANTRIM

Further east takes you to the beautiful Antrim Coast with the world famous Giant’s Causeway, the 14th-century Dunluce Castle and the popular seaside towns of Portrush and Portstewart. Also in this area is the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and the world’s oldest distillery at Bushmills which produces Irish whiskey.