Craignamaddy

About Craignamaddy

Rising above Gortin Glen Forest Park, this modest Sperrin summit offers a rugged character and wide vistas for its 382m height. The heathery slopes of this Marilyn provide a fine vantage point over the Strule Valley, looking directly across to the prominent communications masts on nearby Mullaghcarn.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Irish Creig na Madadh, meaning 'Rock of the Dogs'. In many local contexts, this was historically a euphemism for the wolves that once inhabited the remote uplands of the Sperrin Mountains.
• •Despite its relatively low elevation, the hill is classified as a Marilyn because it possesses over 150 metres of prominence, standing with a surprising degree of topographical independence from the surrounding ridges.
• •From the summit, walkers are rewarded with a clear perspective of the main Sperrin spine to the north, including the high points of Sawel and Meenard, as well as the deep-cut valleys of the Gortin area to the south.
• •The terrain is quintessentially Sperrin in nature, dominated by blanket bog and heather; it offers a much wilder, less-frequented experience than the managed trails found in the neighbouring forest park.
• •While the name suggests a rocky 'craig' of dogs, you are far more likely to find your boots sinking into a deep pocket of damp peat than encountering anything remotely solid or canine at the summit.