Attractions and Places To See around Derrycloony - Top 8

Derrycloony is rich in natural beauty. You can visit Lough Antrawar, a lake nestled southeast of Slieve Beagh, known for its unique drainage system. Additionally, Derrycloony Lough itself is an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), recognized for its diverse aquatic plant life and rich biodiversity. You can find more information about its ecological significance at daera-ni.gov.uk.

Yes, a significant historical site is Knockmany Cairn, an ancient burial monument on the summit of Knockmany Hill. It's the remains of a Neolithic passage tomb featuring rare megalithic art. While you can view the decorated stones through entrance gates, access inside is not possible.

You can enjoy a stroll through Knockmany Forest, a towering woodland known for its beautiful seasonal colors and blooming bluebells. Another option is the Favour Royal Forest Track, which offers a peaceful route through predominantly coniferous plantations.

Yes, Knockmany Forest is considered family-friendly, offering beautiful woodland walks that can be enjoyed by all ages, especially during the bluebell season.

The area offers various cycling opportunities. You can explore routes like the Carleton Cycle Trail (Green), the Clogher loop, or the Ballysaggart Lough – Castle Caulfield Ruins loop. For more details and route options, refer to the Cycling around Derrycloony guide and the Road Cycling Routes around Derrycloony guide.

For those seeking a challenge, the Slieve Beagh Gravel Road offers a well-surfaced, compact gravel climb with gradients up to 26%, taking you along the edges of the Slieve Beagh ASSI.

The region's natural beauty, including forests and loughs, can be enjoyed throughout the year. Spring brings blooming bluebells in Knockmany Forest, while autumn offers vibrant foliage. For hiking, milder weather in late spring, summer, and early autumn is generally preferred, though winter walks can also be rewarding if properly equipped.

Lough Antrawar is situated in a wet and boggy area, especially on the slopes above the lough. It is highly recommended to wear good walking boots and carry a waterproof jacket for your visit to ensure comfort and safety.

Beyond Derrycloony, the broader County Tyrone is home to the Sperrins mountain range, which is recognized as an official Dark Skies location, offering stunning stargazing opportunities and extensive natural landscapes for exploration.

For Knockmany Cairn, there is a parking space available at the bottom of Knockmany Hill, from where you can begin your walk up to the monument.

Derrycloony Lough, as an ASSI, is home to rich biodiversity. Its open waters feature aquatic plants like white water-lily, yellow water-lily, and blunt-leaved pondweed. The fringes are dominated by common reed, water horsetail, bogbean, and water mint. Fen areas support sedges, rushes, mosses, and flowering plants such as wild angelica and marsh cinquefoil, along with a rich invertebrate assemblage including the rare beetle Laccornis oblongus.