Craignamaddy

About Craignamaddy

Situated in the northern reaches of the Sperrin Mountains, this substantial Marilyn offers a wilder, more remote alternative to the nearby cliffs of Binevenagh. Its peat-covered slopes rise steadily to a summit that commands expansive views across the Foyle estuary towards the Inishowen Peninsula and the rugged coastline of County Londonderry.

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Did You Know?

• •The name derives from the Irish Creig na Madadh, translated as 'Rock of the Dogs', though in local context, this often referred to the foxes that frequented the craggy outcrops of the northern Sperrins.
• •Despite its modest absolute height, its status as a Marilyn is due to its significant topographic isolation from the higher Sperrin peaks to the south, separated by the low-lying Myroe levels.
• •The summit offers a clear perspective on the unique geography of Magilligan Foreland, a massive triangular raised beach that is one of the largest coastal accumulation features in the British Isles.
• •On a day of good visibility, walkers can look past the Derry coastline to see the distinctive silhouette of the Paps of Jura rising from the sea to the north.
• •The approach is characterized by quintessential Sperrin moorland; it is the sort of terrain where the 'path' is often more of a suggestion than a reality, and the local heather is exceptionally well-watered.