Overview
The thing that sets Benbradagh apart from its neighbours sits just below the summit: the concrete shell of a Cold War listening post, where the US Navy ran a communications base until the early 1970s. Its Irish name, Binn Bhradach, means “treacherous peak” – not, as often repeated, “thief’s peak”. At 465 metres this is the second-most northerly summit in the Sperrin Mountains, rising steeply just outside Dungiven in County Londonderry, inside the Sperrins Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s a short climb for a big reward: on a clear day the view runs from the Sperrin range across the glens of the Roe Valley and reaches the Mourne Mountains on the far horizon. It’s also a popular launch for paragliders, so you may share the top with a few canopies.
History
The hill’s profile is punctuated by the eerie remnants of a Cold War past. Between the 1940s and early 1970s, Benbradagh served as a United States Navy communications base supporting the North Atlantic fleet. The Americans built extensive underground stores for high explosives, a strategic move that sparked controversy in the early 1980s when Irish military intelligence raised concerns about potential nuclear weapons storage – a claim the British government firmly denied.
Today, the base has returned to the elements. Walkers will spot the derelict concrete structure near the summit, now claimed by nature with a tree growing directly through its walls. The contrast between the harsh concrete of the former installation and the soft, rolling contours of the Sperrins creates a unique atmosphere, serving as a silent monument to the hill’s strategic history.
The walk
This is a short hill climb, not a long mountain day. The usual start is from American Road, reached off the B64 north of Dungiven, where there’s free parking at the trailhead. The “American Road” itself is a legacy of the base – a made track that carries you a good part of the way up before the ground turns to open mountain.
Don’t be lulled by the short distance. Benbradagh is open, rough hillside: boggy in stretches, uneven underfoot, and slick after rain, and it isn’t formally waymarked. In cloud the summit is featureless and easy to get wrong, so carry the OSNI Sperrins map and a compass and know how to use them – a phone with a GPX track is a useful backup, not a substitute. On the way up you pass the derelict US installation at Evishagaran before the final pull to the cairn.
What to See & Do
Benbradagh’s exposed, wind-swept summit is a recognised launch point for paragliders and hang-gliders. Even if you aren’t flying yourself, it’s a fine thing to watch the coloured canopies catch the thermals over the Sperrins.
The climb up the road is a serious test for cyclists, too: Benbradagh hosted the 2022 Ulster Hill Climb Championships, a 2.06 km race up gradients touching 29%. The summit cairn is a fine spot to pause with a packed lunch, well away from the busier tourist trails of the North.
Practical Information
Parking & Access
Free parking is available at the trailhead on American Road. An alternative start exists from Curragh Road in Dungiven, following Chapel Road to the hill. Both approaches lead to the same gate-lined route.
Facilities & Transport
There are no facilities on the hill. Visitors should plan to use the cafés, shops, and public toilets in Dungiven town centre before setting out. Translink bus services run through Dungiven; check the Translink journey planner for the latest timetables if travelling by public transport.
What to Pack
Given the lack of cover on the summit, weather can change rapidly. Waterproof layers, warm clothing, and a head torch are recommended, especially for those starting early or finishing late. Since there are no shops or water sources on the hill, carrying sufficient food and water from Dungiven is essential.
Dogs & safety
Sheep graze the open hill year-round, so keep dogs on a lead and under close control. Visibility can drop sharply in heavy rain or mist, and the summit gives you little to steer by, so map, compass and the skill to use them are non-negotiable.
Seasonality
The route is open year-round, but the ground is at its wettest and most challenging in late autumn and winter. For the best visibility and stable air for gliding, aim for late spring through early autumn.
Nearby Attractions
- Dungiven: The nearby village is the place to stop for coffee, local crafts and public toilets before or after the hill.
- Dungiven Priory: The ruins of an Augustinian priory on the edge of the town, with a notable medieval effigy tomb.
- Banagher Glen: A wooded nature reserve and reservoir walk a short drive away, sheltered when the tops are exposed.
- Roe Valley Country Park: River gorge, old linen-mill ruins and riverside trails on the far side of Dungiven towards Limavady.
- Glenshane Pass: A scenic mountain pass with viewpoints and picnic spots, an easy detour on the way to or from the hill.
Pack sturdy boots for the boggy ground and save the climb for a clear day – the whole point is the view, and in cloud there’s little up top but wet concrete and harder navigation.