Overview
Davagh Forest does two things well, and neither is obvious from the car park: a 16km red mountain-bike trail with rock-slab drops that riders remember, and a night sky dark enough to be certified as one of only two International Dark Sky Parks on the island of Ireland. It sits about six miles north-west of Cookstown in the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains, roughly 1,500 hectares of upland conifer with a colour-coded trail network, a riverside walking circuit and the OM observatory. Access to the trails, car parks and forest is free.
If you’re here to ride and it’s your first visit, the 7.5km blue is the sweet spot – enough single-track to be fun without the red’s committing drops. If you’re here for the stars, do not just turn up after dark: the observatory’s night events need booking in advance.
History and development
Davagh’s recreational trails grew out of a targeted investment by the former Cookstown District Council to build a purpose-made mountain-bike system; the forest is now managed jointly by the Forest Service and Mid Ulster District Council, who also run the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory. The dark-sky accreditation – the 78th in the world and one of only two on the island of Ireland – recognises the site’s exceptionally low light pollution. The park opened in 2020.
Mountain biking
The trail network is colour-coded and maintained as part of the MountainBikeNI system. The main trailhead (with an alternative lay-by opposite the quarry) has changing facilities, a bike wash, toilets, and a small hire kiosk run by Outdoor Concepts (NI) Ltd.
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | 3 km (1.9 mi) | Easy | Wide forest roads, gentle climbs, crossing Davagh Water – ideal for families and beginners |
| Blue | 7.5 km (4.7 mi) | Moderate | Twisting single-track, fast-flowing sections, technical rocky bits – good for riders building confidence |
| Red | 16 km (10 mi) | Hard | Rock-slab drops, berms and long climbs across upland forest |
| Skills Park | – | Varied | Boardwalk, climbing switch-back, log rides, rock rolls – each feature graded on a panel |
| Pump Track | Loop | Easy-moderate | Rollers and berms for weight-distribution practice |
Riders can book lessons, guided rides or group sessions through Outdoor Concepts. The hire kiosk may sell snacks and basic bike supplies when it’s staffed, but there’s no dedicated shop, so bring what you need.
Walking routes
Davagh Water Circular Walk
The flagship walk starts at the upper car park, follows black way-marker arrows alongside Davagh Water, crosses a footbridge, and returns via a surfaced forest road. The route is flat to gently rolling and wheelchair-friendly.
Lough Fea Riverside Loop
Reached from the B162 car park near Lough Fea, this second circular trail skirts the lake and passes several fishing stands. The path is well marked and suits a casual stroll.
Satellite Blocks
Davagh takes in two satellite blocks – Broughderg and Lough Fea – which merge with the main Mid Ulster-managed area at Lough Fea on the Cookstown-to-Draperstown road. Both hold forest roads, some tarmac-surfaced, popular with horse-riders, and the Broughderg block adds quiet walking near the fast-flowing Broughderg River.
Dark sky and observatory
At the heart of the forest is the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory. Visitors can:
- Use a 14-inch LX600 Meade telescope in a retractable-roof observatory for guided stargazing.
- Explore holographic installations and VR displays covering the solar system, star formation and the aurora.
- Attend astronomy evenings, stargazing workshops, school programmes and outdoor film screenings.
- Follow the OM Solar Walk, a 3.4km marked trail linking the observatory to the nearby Beaghmore Stone Circles.
The park is open through the year, but opening times vary and night-time events sell out, so pre-booking is essential – check the OM Dark Sky Park website before you travel.
Stars and Stones Experience
A signature evening programme pairs stargazing with local archaeology. The evening runs at the foothills of the Sperrins, with a storyteller on the origins of the Beaghmore Stone Circles, a guided walk to the circles under dark skies, telescope time for constellation-spotting and an outdoor film. Numbers are kept small to protect the dark-sky environment, and booking is required.
Nature and wildlife
The forest is dominated by conifer planting, mainly Sitka spruce, under a dense evergreen canopy, with ferns, mosses and lichens filling the understorey in spring and summer. Sika deer are the wildlife you’re most likely to catch sight of, usually at dawn or dusk on the quieter forest roads.
Facilities and practical information
- Parking – Free parking at the main trailhead car park (Davagh Road, Cookstown BT79 8JH) and a lay-by opposite the quarry; both include accessible bays. A further car park off the B162 serves Lough Fea.
- Toilets – Standard, wheelchair-friendly and Changing Places facilities.
- Play area – A small children’s play park near the trailhead.
- Bike hire and wash – Operated by Outdoor Concepts; the bike-wash is open when the kiosk is staffed (typically summer weekdays).
- Picnic area – Tables and benches beside the car park.
- Accessibility – The circular walk and main car park are wheelchair-friendly; most single-track routes are for able-bodied cyclists.
- Visitor information – Trail maps are on-site and downloadable from the Discover Northern Ireland listing or the MountainBikeNI website.
Getting there
- By car – Signposted off the A505 Cookstown-to-Omagh road at the Dunnamore turn-off; follow signs for Davagh Road to the trailhead. The lay-by opposite the quarry gives a shorter approach to the main car park.
- From Lough Fea – Turn off the B162 (Cookstown to Draperstown road) and follow signs to the Lough Fea car park.
- Public transport – The nearest Translink buses stop in Cookstown; you’ll need a taxi or short drive from there.
Safety and etiquette
- Watch for temporary closures during forestry operations; timber-harvesting can shut sections of forest road.
- Keep dogs on a lead on the walking routes.
- Respect dark-sky rules: keep bright lights off after sunset and stay on marked paths.
- Sperrin weather turns quickly – bring waterproofs and sturdy footwear.
Seasonal highlights
- Stargazing – Darkest on clear, moonless nights, especially in autumn and winter.
- Cycling – Long summer daylight suits the red loop.
- Family walks – The green loop and the Lough Fea Riverside Loop work year-round.
Nearby attractions
- Beaghmore Stone Circles – 1.4 miles away, a spread of Neolithic circles, rows and cairns aligned to the sky.
- Giants of the Sperrins sculpture trail – outdoor artworks set across the Sperrin landscape.
- Bessy Bell – a scenic summit walk on the Sperrin ridge, a short drive from the forest.
Check the moon calendar before planning a night visit: a new moon gives the clearest view of the Milky Way, and telescope sessions fill fast on peak autumn weekends.