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As Martin McGuigan steered the minibus through another flurry of rain he admitted that there could have been better weather for an ascent of Crockataggart. So we agreed a game plan — get there and then review our plans. You’ve got to be adaptable if your business is taking walkers for hikes in the back country of Co. Tyrone.

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The landlocked county at the hub of Northern Ireland gets lots of rain, especially up in the Sperrin Hills.

Martin, fiftysomething and with climbing in his DNA, told me: “I take groups of people all over this area, and enjoy every single outing. The Sperrins are not mighty mountains, but they have a kind of a wild magic to them.”

The few houses of Crockataggart were disintegrating, nature staking its claim in ferns and mosses. We ascended the mountain road, then on the saddle of Crockmore we swung west, a gentle climb to the summit of Crockbrack. And there a majestic view — surely a hundred miles stretching before us.

Start & finish OS map of Ireland 1:50,000 Discovery Series, Sheet 13

Walk (6 miles, easy grade) — follow Ulster Way sign to left — lane up slope of Crockmore. After summit swing right as a green road towards Crockbrack.

In about 400 yards, make for fence on your right. Follow over summit of Crockbrack and down to where side fence descends right.

Follow side fence into glen at Drumderg River to cross fence on Craigbane — stony lane beside fence. Ignoring track, continue down as stony surface gives way to tarmac — through gate by ruined house. Cross field to fence — left to descend, cross Drumderg River by steel bridge up track to Crockataggart.

More information www.sperrinstourism.com

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