Slieve Gallion

Slieve Gallion is an outlying Sperrin summit that punches well above its 528-metre height for views, sitting on the southeastern edge of the range with a panorama that takes in Lough Neagh, the Sperrins proper, and on clear days the distant Mournes and Antrim hills. A narrow mountain road climbs most of the way up toward the communications masts, and the upper pull-ins and open moorland make an excellent, wide-open launch site with uninterrupted line of sight in every direction. The lower slopes are Forest Service Northern Ireland conifer plantation, so if you take off within the forest itself permission is technically required; the open summit ground and roadside pull-ins above the treeline are the simpler option. There is no airspace restriction here. Because it stands proud of the surrounding land, wind is almost always a factor, often strong and cold even in summer, so check your aircraft's limits. The reward is a sweeping, big-country shot of the Sperrins rolling away west and the mirror of Lough Neagh to the south. Sunrise and sunset both work well thanks to the open aspect. It is usually very quiet, with only a handful of walkers and the occasional mountain biker. Autumn heather and winter snow both transform the tops.