The Mountains of Mourne sit in the north of Ireland in County Down, just over the border past the town of Newry and just approx 1.5hrs drive from Dublin. The mountain range themselves offer incredible amounts of varied walks from picturesque rambles through beautiful valleys and forests to wild mountain tops, waterfalls and streams. The range is very compact with over 20 peaks to choose from on walking days and of course slieve Donard, Ulster’s highest point.
Day 1) Transfer from Dublin, Tollymore Park and Way Marked Trail.
Pickup in Dublin and transfer by bus to Northern Ireland and the Cottages, where we will be staying.
On arrival and after settling into our new accommodation we can take a short scenic walk through Tollymore Outdoor Park along a Way Marked trail towards the town of Newcastle.
Walk in Tollymore: We start our walk from the visitor centre and follow a way marked trail through some of the finest wooded are in northern Ireland. Passing through the Forest Plots, the Mountain Trail enters a beech woodland, which in the spring is covered in bluebells.
As we follow this trail further we pass by one of the oldest tree arboretums in Ireland dating back to 1752 with trees from all over the world including a Giant Redwood. We will make our way with very little ascent towards the boundary wall of the park and allowing for great views across some of the peaks of The Northern Mournes. AS we make our way east we will eventually see the coastal of Newcastle and we then start to make our descent towards it.
Walk: moderate Length 11 km, Duration: 3 hrs, Ascent: 150m, Terrain: forest tracks and laneways
Afterwards we can explore the town of Newcastle: – Here we can pick up some provisions for our stay at the cottages and enjoy one of the best sea food chowders in northern Ireland.
Afterwards we return to the cottages to refresh, enjoy dinner (we could cook in the cottage or visit a pub/restaurant in Newcastle).
Day 2) Walk on Slieve Donard – Hare’s Gap
Choice of Walk: Slieve Donard or the Brandy Pad (Old smugglers tail)
For todays walk there will be a choice of walk but we will be all starting out together from the cottages towards what is know as “the Hare’s Gap”.
Both walks bring us along the tressey track, an old miners trail into a beautiful valley between Sleive Bernagh and Slievenaclogh, its a very good trail following the Tresey River in a south east direction. The trail starts to ascent near its end to the height of approx 450m to a saddle between the two mountains and the Mournes Wall, for many this may be your first time seeing this impressive structure which was built in the early 1900s and takes in many of the peaks of this area. From here we follow the Brandy Pad trail with incredible views on a clear day of the valleys and surrounding mountainsides. Then we will come to what are the castle’s, these are huge Granite Tors which would remind you of giant castles. It is at this stage that we divide as a group those who wish to follow the wall to the summit of Slieve Donard and those who wish to descent from here and make their way back to Newcastle.
Brandy Pad Walk moderate/strenuous Length 11 km, Duration: 4 hrs, Ascent: 500m, Terrain: track, mountain track and forest trail.
Slieve Donard Walk Strenuous Length 13 km, Duration: 5.5 hrs, Ascent: 750m, Terrain: track, mountain track and forest trail.
After returning to Newcastle we can take a break in a nearby pub before making our way to the accommodation
There are many great bars to enjoy some live music in the town.
Day 3) Choice of Walk in the area and return to Dublin
After breakfast this morning and as there are so many walks in this area, we are spoilt for choice so before we make our way back there is time for another walk, but this can be decided on the weekend between the group and guide(s)
We plan on being back in Dublin for approx 4pm.
