Happy Hiking - Hill Skills Day - 23rd August - Tyrone | Gortin Glen Forest Park
Cultural Experiences
Mountaineering Ireland’s Happy Hiking Hills Skills Programme returns in Summer 2025 for its fourth year. These Hill Skills Days are a great opportunity for anyone new to the hills or those who want to learn the basics of navigation to join a qualified instructor for a full day's training and to gain useful information and skills that will help keep you safe on the hills.
This programme is subsidised by Mountaineering Ireland. The registration fee for each Hill Skills Day is €20. This programme is for adults only, and both members and non-members of Mountaineering Ireland are welcome.
This Hill Skills day has been organised in collaboration with the
Sperrins Outdoor Partnership
and will be based in
Tyrone
and will start at the covered
picnic area
in
Gortin Glen Forest Park's main carpark (
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vmj7B7Bc6agkWKVs5
).
The walk route will include different sections of the forest and the open land near the summit of Mullaghcarn, weather permitting.
Throughout the day you will learn about movement skills, basic navigation, map reading, equipment, and safety considerations.
What gear do I need?
Hiking boots / walking shoes with woolly or synthetic socks (not cotton)
Comfortable clothing, e.g. leggings / tracksuit bottoms, breathable T-Shirt and fleece & an extra warm layer (try to avoid cotton)
Small backpack
Waterproof jacket and pants
Hat and gloves
An extra warm layer or two in your backpack
Water (minimum 1.5 litres), lunch and snacks
Sunscreen, personal medicine (e.g. inhaler, EpiPen, etc.)
OSNI, Harvey or EastWest map of the area and a compass if you have one – maps and compasses may be supplied by the instructor. (The map for this area is OSNI 1:50000 Discoverer Series Sheet 13 "The Sperrins ")
Mobile phone (fully charged)
Refund policy
: refunds will be granted if requested at least 7 days before the event. For cancellations within 7 days of the event, your ticket will refunded if the spot is taken by someone else. Please email
christina@mountaineering.ie
if you can no longer attend.
Please note: this programme is not suitable for those who have already participated in a Mountain Skills course, it is targeted at novices and should not be used as a Mountain Skills refresher.
Disclaimer: Mountaineering Ireland recognises that climbing, hillwalking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.
Information Source: Mountaineering Ireland | eventbrite