Altnapaste [Allt na Peiste]

A rounded, heathery Marilyn that offers a quiet summit experience defined by trackless peat hags and an immense sense of solitude. While modest in height at 364 metres, the climb rewards with a specific, sweeping perspective over the Foyle basin and the wilder fringes of the Sperrin range.

• •The name originates from the Gaelic 'Allt na Péiste', translating to 'Stream of the Serpent' or 'Monster'. This likely refers to local folklore regarding a legendary creature inhabiting the pools of the watercourse on its slopes.
• •Though categorized in some records alongside Lakeland hills, Altnapaste is actually a Marilyn located in the Sperrin Mountains of Northern Ireland, situated on the wild borderlands between County Tyrone and County Londonderry.
• •The ascent is typically a pathless trek over saturated peat moorland and is most frequently bagged as a detour from the higher neighbouring peak of Mullaghclogher to the southwest.
• •On a clear day, the summit offers a commanding view of Sawel Mountain, the highest peak in the Sperrins, which dominates the skyline to the east across the Glenelly Valley.
• •The 'monster' mentioned in the name is likely the only creature that truly enjoys the knee-deep peat hags encountered on the approach during a wet afternoon.