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On the way up Dart Mountain.

 

At 619m, Dart Mountain is one of the higher Sperrin Mountains, lying on the border between counties Tyrone and Derry.  I had looked down on it in the past from its higher neighbour Sawel, to the east.  I would have continued on to Dart from Sawel if the weather hadn’t changed by the time I reached the summit of Sawel, and the poor visibility had meant a lack of views.  This time, I decided to approach from the west instead, from the Park/Tamnagh Road as it makes its way over the pass between Dart and Mullaghclogha.  This meant I would be able to take in the neighbouring peaks of Learmount Mountain and Learmount Mountain South Top.

 

I stopped on the way up the Tamnagh Road to the high point of the pass, to take in the views of Dart from the Southwest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parking at the top of the pass, Dart was now to my east, and I set off up across the open hillside, immediately getting great views to Mullaghclogha in the west.

 

 

 

 

 

A look up to the summit.

 

 

 

Sawel, on the far side of the saddle connecting it to Dart.

 

It was perfect weather for walking, cool despite the bright sunshine, and actually pretty cold when stopped.

 

 

The Sperrins are generally a rounded, grassy range, but Dart does have some rocky, more rugged outcrops, particularly on its northern side.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still a few patches of snow up here.

 

Mullaghclogha.

 

Looking south towards the Glenelly Valley.

 

 

 

 

I arrived at the summit, with a fence running across it marking the boundary between Tyrone and Derry, and the summit cairn  standing on the Derry side.  There were signs on the respective sides showing the county symbols; the red hand of Tyrone and the oak leaf of Derry.

 

The red hand of Tyrone, with the summit cairn on the other side of the fence in Co. Derry.

 

The oak leaf symbol of Derry.

 

 

 

The summit cairn, with Sawel mountain in the background.

 

I took a moment to wander around the summit taking in the views over the rest of the Sperrins, and much of counties Tyrone and Derry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time to make my way back down to the pass where I had started.  I would then head up the the slope on the opposite, west side of the road, to Learmount, and Learmount South Top.

 

 

 

Just beyond the snow dotted minor summit of Dart, is the long saddle with Learmount Mountain at the northern end, and Learmount Mountain South Top at the other.  They would be by next targets for the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benbradagh’s distinctive summit just peeping into the frame in the distant centre.

 

Binevenagh’s table top shape on the horizon.

 

 

 

Almost back down at the road, looking back up at Dart’s summit.

 

Dart had been a very enjoyable walk, with great views, and helped by the beautiful weather.  Next stop, Learmount Mountain S Top.