The Mountains of Mourne

Itinerary for the Mountains of Mourne

Day 1: The Mournes, Rostrevor and walking on Slieve Martin.
Slieve Martin & Cloughmore Stone Walk – Moderate Walk – Distance approx 10Km, incline 250m, Time approx 3hrs.

We will meet up at the Molly Malone statue on Suffolk Street at 9:30am to make our way north to Rostrevor. This is one of the most picturesque towns in Northern Ireland, with forests and mountains rolling down into Carlingford Lough.

We will start our first of the weekend from Kilbroney Forest Park. This area was the inspiration for C.S. Lewis’s wonderful world of Narnia. There are many trails here to choose from that will bring you through this woodland and out towards the top of Slieve Martin. We will be taking a route that will bring us to Cloughmore (Large Stone). Legend has it that this large stone was thrown here by Fionn Mac Cumhaill across Carlongford Lough. As we make our towards the summit of Slieve Martin we will get above the tree line and see Cralingford Lough below us and views out across the Irish sea. We will make our way back on another route through Kilbroney wood.

After our walk we will make our way to the Green Holiday Cottages where we be staying for the next two night. We will have time to freshen up before making our way to Kilkeel for a bite to eat.

Day 2: Walk on Slieve Binnian and the Annalong Valley
Slieve Binnian Loop Walk – Moderate/ Strenuous Walk – Distance approx 10Km, Ascent: 580m, Time: 3-4hrs.

After a hearty breakfast we will make our way towards the Annalong Valley.I have walked in Mournes many times and this is still my favorite valley in the region. The Mountains of Mournes are a very closely knit collection of mountains with wonderful valleys, rivers, lakes and waterfalls between them.

Once we reach the car park, we start to follow an old stone lined wall which brings you straight into the start of the Annalong Valley. You will immediately find yourself surrounded by high peak Mountains. Slieve Binnian site our left as we enter the valley. “The only way is up” as the old song goes and we will start our ascent following alongside one of the very impressive walls that cover the Mournes. There will be plenty puffing and panting as we make our towards the summit but plenty of stops to enjoy the scenery surrounding us also. Once we reach the summit the views are spectacular

We can enjoy a lunch break here taking in the views across the Silent Valley below us and Slieve Donard to the north of us. We then make our way with the hard work done for the day behind us across the ridge, taking in the views as we go.

We will come back down on another trail that will bring us back into the Annalong Valley and take a right turn to bring back to our start.

After our walk we will make our way back to our accommodation to freshen up before going for a bite to eat.

Day 3: Visit the Silent Valley and return to Dublin.

Once we have had our breakfast and packed up our stuff we can make our way to the Silent Valley Mountain Park. The silent Valley reservoir was built in the early 1900s to capture water coming of the Mountains of Mourne, mainly for the linen industry and Belfast. It is still the main source of water for county Down and much of Belfast today.

We can enjoy a short walk here in this beautiful area surrounded by waterfalls and high ridges.

Then we make our way back to Dublin after a full weekend of walking, exploring and relaxing in one of Ireland’s Areas of outstanding beauty – The Mountains of Mourne.

We should be back to Dublin by 17:00.