Barnes Top

About Barnes Top

Situated near the dramatic glacial breach of Barnes Gap, this heathery Sperrin summit offers a rugged, peat-scarred character. It provides a grounded, quiet walking experience with specific views across the Glenelly Valley toward the higher massifs of Sawel and Mullaghmore, making it a rewarding objective for those exploring the County Londonderry uplands.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Irish 'Bearnas', meaning 'a gap', referring to the nearby Barnes Gap, a significant glacial meltwater channel that carves through the local landscape.
• •From the summit, the distinctive profile of Mullaghmore is visible to the north, easily identified by the telecommunications mast that crowns its flat-topped peak.
• •The terrain is dominated by blanket bog and heather, characteristic of the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and requires careful navigation through frequent peat hags.
• •Navigating the summit plateau offers a masterclass in the many shades of brown, though the view south into the deep slot of the Gap provides a sharp contrast in scale.