Banagher Glen
Short walk through the steep wooded Banagher Glen, one of the oldest ancient oak woodlands in Ireland to Altnaheglish Reservoir and Banagher Dam. Surfaced road from car park to dam with some very steep sections.
The gate to the car park is open from June
to September 9.00 am-9.00 pm at weekends. During July and August, it is open daily from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm. However, access to the reserve is
available all year round by parking just outside the reserve gate.
Banagher Nature Reserve is one of 50 similar reserves in Northern Ireland
County Londonderry
Distance 1.9 miles
OS Map Sheet 7 or Sperrins Activity Map
Terrain Surfaced road
Nearest Town Dungiven or Feeny
Route Shape Linear
Grid Reference C672048
Route Type Woodland
From car park pass through kissing gate and continue past old filter house. At fork in the road take a left and continue climbing along the surfaced road, crossing a number of bridges on the ascent until the dam comes into view. Retrace your steps to the start.
Ancient woodland, flora & fauna
The reserve lies 4 miles to the south of Dungiven and can be accessed by the narrow Magheramore Rd.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Dogs must be kept under close control
Seasonal toilets at car park. Refreshments + toilets in Dungiven.
Grade 4
- The path may not be hard and firm in all weathers with loose stones (not bigger than 10cm) with occasional tree roots and pot holes and will be at least 80cm wide for its entire length.
- The path gradients and cross slopes will be greater than 6°.
- Obstacles such as steps or stiles are to be expected and surface breaks may be larger 75mm in width.
- There will be a clear head height of greater than 2.10m for the entire length of the route.
- Passing places and rest areas may not be formalised or provided.
Comments will be reviewed and those that cause offence will be removed. This is at the discretion of WalkNI.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the walking routes listed on WalkNI safely and easily.
If you have come across any problems whilst walking a route, please let us so we can pass on any issues to the appropriate management body responsible for maintaining the walk.
Walk Route
Banagher Glen
I did this walk today. Such beautiful countryside, very enjoyable. I would love to have given it a 5* but couldn’t as we got lost due to no signage. I see some of the reviews stated the same since 2019!!!! Dear dear… a walk with this type of distance should have signage. They have red and green walks and signage only goes to dam. Will go back however. Lovely morning
Wow what a beautiful walk. Deep gorges, running rivers and copious wild flowers. I am a wheelchair user. I only managed half the walk. It is possible to come here but I would suggest only a power wheelchair or an electric scooter. It is a fair gradient in parts so someone pushing a manual wheelchair may be challenging unless you have popeye with you! There’s one kissing gate but I was able to reverse my scooter in with no problem and drive out the other side. I was told by another walker on the second half of the walk that I didn’t do, there are 2 cattle grids. One has a kissing gate beside it and the other doesn’t. This may be an issue if you are completely wheelchair bound.
Done this walk on Sunday with my wife Donna and our girls Erin and Kara, have to say we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery and breath taking views but the only downside is that there is no signs to keep you on the proper path to complete the whole walk without turning back.
We found that on our way back a lot of people asked us how far and how long it would take to reach the dam as there where no signs to let them know distance or direction.
But all in all it was a beautiful experience and we shall definitely return to complete the round trip.
Neville & Donna Maguire.