Mullaghcarn is an isolated peak north of Omagh on the B48 to Gortin situated in the popular Gortin Glen Forest Park. A number of signed walks are available in the Park. The summit itself has a number of masts and a trig pillar - however, its prominence means that the views from the top are stunning. The last Sunday in July is designated Cairn Sunday and the old tradition of climbing the hill on that day has been recently revived.

One of the upsides (or downsides) of masts, is that they are normally serviced by roads, and Mullaghcarn is no exception. The service road leaves the B48 at H494 830 A and winds its steady way to the top, a distance of about 3km. Just over an hour should see you up and down.

There are other routes however, and the hill can be reached from the north, beginning at parking near Oak Lough, on the road heading east from the B48 at H494 842 B. There are a number of parking places along this road. A further route is available from the north east beginning in the townland of Lenagh. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/371/comment/5130/

Being a Tyrone man I have visited the Gortin Glens forest park many times but it was only yesterday (28/6/08) that I got round to climbing the mountain that I can see from my window, Mullaghcarn. I took the B48 out of Omagh towards Gortin and a few miles after the village of Gortnagarn I turned into the Forest park which is clearly signposted. I drove on in until I came to the car park but I continued straight through the carpark and out past the two cabins passing a few camping sites until I came to a T junction. I turned right for the 5 mile scenic route. After 2 or 3 miles up, passing a few picnic areas I dropped down into a sort of valley and when I looked at the OS map I realised that Pollen Burn ran down the centre of it. I drove another 150 metres up to the corner and parked the car here beside a small picnic area which is sheltered under the trees. It was here that I started my walk, around the iron gate and up a mucky lane which is nearly overgrown with weeds. I stayed on the lane until I went around a second gate and out onto a tarred road. I turned right up the hill into the shaddow of the trees for around 300 metres and then I rounded another corner were the road begins a steep climb up to a cattle grid were the top finally comes into view at the edge of the trees. From here you just follow the road up to the top to the masts. Over to the back is the trig point but before you get there there is a wet patch and you have to tred through using stones and planks of wood. From the top you can enjoy stunning views of the Sperrin Mountains and out as far as the eye can see to Monaghan and beyond. You should really consider going up on a clear day if you want to experince the true beauty of the scenery. I decended via the same route and continued on down the scenic route back out onto the Gortin Rd. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/371/comment/3196/

I looked at the map for this one and tried to pick a route that would traverse the entire mountain. This was somewhat hit and miss but was an enjoyable day in the hills.From Gortin take B48 for Gortin Glen and turn off left on road signposted to Gortin Lakes. This is an fine area of glacial deposits and lakes with plenty of carparks. I parked at top of hill (505842 C) with good views over Owenkillew River valley. Walk further along road and turn right onto track with steep banks which soon peters out onto pristine moorland. This is deep and tussocky ground which is bloody hard on the legs and lasts for 1/2 an hour, as aim for and follow ridge. Drop down slightly to edge of forest above little lough at head of altavakan Burn and then climb again on slightly easier ground - the sheep have been here and following thier faint tracks is like heaven after the previous slog. Pass little lough nestled among steep ground at the head of Magheraboy Burn and cross fence to join road with short steep climb to summit area aftre 1.5 hours. There are a number of rather unsightly communication masts here which were rattling in the strong wind. The small summit cairn and trig point are reached by a gravel path just off to the west. Good views from here to north and west to southern hills of Glenelly Valley and the higher Sperrins just to the north. Pass the masts and drop down SW along fenceline,passing a wet area to reach S summit which is just a little lower (see pic which is looking back to summit). Continue to descend SW along top of forest before a rise to the top of Slieveard (419m) with views over Omagh town. Drop further to enter edge of forest with easy walking among mature pine trees. Reach an area of recent clearfell not on map and descend downhill NE aiming for junction of Glengawna Burn and stream at edge of clearfell (482794 D). Cross Burn to green grass on other side and follow to forest track, turn left and take second right to join Ulster Way. This uses a variety of tracks and paths through Gortin Forest Park, including a good section along Pollen Burn as bridges criss cross its lenght and then part of a nature trail. The Ulster Way then parallels the B48 before joining it. When reach turn to Gortin Lakes follow back to car. 5.5 hours in all. An information board for Cairn Sunday Walks (last Sunday in July)offers three walks. The easiest is a 3.5 km walk along tarmac road to summit. From the NE the approach is through Glenmacoffer along Magheraboy Burn and the third is from the west near Glencolpy Bridge.This is walking on varied terrain and can be as long or as short as you want. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/371/comment/1220/

On Wednesday 3rd September a group of 9 walkers climbed Mullaghcarn. The walk had a place-names theme and was part of the programme of the Peadar Joe Haughey Summer School, taking place over 3 days. After torrential rain on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, the skies cleared and the views were remarkably good. We began our walk from the board marking the start of the Cairn Sunday route situated in Lenagh townland, on the NE side of the mountain. Cairn Sunday is the last Sunday in July, and the old tradition of climbing Mullaghcarn on this day has recently been revived. The first hour of walking was through deep heather, but once we reached the ridge, there was a small but clear path which speeded our progress to the summit. From here we were able to see not only the Sperrins, but also Lough Neagh, Lough Erne, Errigal, Muckish, Slieve Donard and Ben Wiskin, which means our view more or less covered the whole width of the country. We made much faster progress on the descent, coming down the forest road on the NW side through the forest, meeting the main road at the pass between Gortin and Omagh (255m spot height). From here we were given a lift back to the cars at the starting point. The whole walk took 3½ hrs, though a good ½hr of this was taken up with stops for place-name discussion on the way up. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/371/comment/3293/

This photo by Denise Jacques shows the summit cairn which gives Mullach Cairn / Mullaghcarn its name and which is the objective of the Cairn Sunday walk on the last Sunday of July. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/371/comment/3294/

I had a great day out on Mullaghcarn today, as it was chosen by Simoburn, as his final summit in an amazing completion of all the Vandeleur-Lynams and Arderins in one year. A group of MountainViews users, along with some of Simon's friends and relatives, turned up to accompany him on his walk to mark the achievement, and it was a privilege to do so. The mountain itself is not difficult, with a road all the way to the mast-crowned top, and was specifically chosen by Simon so that non-hill walkers would be able to come along. Well worth the climb on any occasion though, as the views are great, and we were lucky enough to get a winter wonderland and some dramatic clouds at the summit. Its the first time I have been presented with a beaker of champagne at the summit too, something to be recommended I feel!

The photo shows some of the group making their way to the cloudy top with Simon. Congratulations to you Simon for a great feat. I took plenty of photos, and I'll post a link here on MV, to a blog entry, when I get them all sorted. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/371/comment/17773/