Cycle NI - Your definitive guide to cycling in Northern Ireland

Gold Cycle Route

Explore the breathtaking Glenelly and Owenkillew Valleys as you cycle through the dramatic Barnes Gap and the wilds of Sawelabeg and Doraville.

County

Tyrone

Distance

31 Miles (50Km)

Nearest Town

Gortin

OS Map

Route Type

Mountain, Riverside

Route Shape

Circular

AONB

Sperrins

Grid Ref (Start)

H491858

Public Roads

On Public Road

Grid Ref (End)

H491858

Terrain

This route is over secondary B and C roads which are tarmac. This route also contains some steep climbs. There is also a section of this route which is traffic free.

Point of Interest

There is a Gold Mine in the Owenkillew Valley opposite the bridge at Glenlark. The Glenelly Valley is the longest valley in the Sperrins.

Route Description

Push off from the crossroads in the centre of the village, head north briefly before taking a right just over the bridge, up the Owenkillew Valley, twisting in tandem with the river. A tight patchwork of green fields spreads up the valley floor to the billowing hills above, streams and ditches gurgle back down under the bridges at your wheels. Continue up the valley past Glenhull village and soon you will encounter an ancient standing stone in the field to your right.

Time now to sit back in the saddle and prepare for the tough climb up Doraville with Sawel Mountain rising 700m straight ahead. With the hard work done it's time to relax going down through the beautiful Glenelly valley. Squeeze down through Barnes Gap where a short traffic-free section takes you back along the Owenkillew River. Enjoy the view whilst you make your way back to the village of Gortin as the grey stonewalls stretch a skeletal framework over the soft valley slopes.

Getting to the Start

From Omagh, take the Mountjoy Road, off McConnell Place. This roads turns in the Gortin Road (B48).

Traffic

This route is on secondry B & C roads in mainly rural areas. Traffic that may be encountered would include cars, vans, farm machinery, and rural buses.

Facilities

Cafe, Shop, Public House, and Public Toilets are all available in the village of Gortin. Gortin Accommodation Suite and Activity Centre which opens 9am - 5pm also has Disabled access toilets and Bike Hire, contact 028 8164 8346. On route there are also Public Houses at Glenhull and Scotch Town, and slightly off route there are Public Toilets, Telephone and Public House in the village of Cranagh.