The Mourne Mountains are a beautiful granite mountain range located in the south-east of Northern Ireland. They form the highest and most dramatic mountain range in Northern Ireland offering breathtaking views of the Irish Sea. The Mourne Mountains highest peak is Slieve Donard, reaching heights of 850 metres, an incredible hike I highly recommend!

The mountains can be divided into two distinctive areas: the Eastern, or “High Mournes” and the Western or “Low Mournes”. The Mourne Mountains area is home to many flora and fauna, as well as forests and nature reserves, making it perfect for hiking and exploring in the beautiful countryside.

The Mourne Wall

The Mourne Mountains are also home to the famous Mourne Wall which crosses fifteen summits. An impressive 22 miles in length, it runs over the summit of the highest peak: the Slieve Donard. It’s main purpose was originally to keep cattle and sheep out of the water catchment area of the Silent Valley reservoir, but has since become a useful guide for hikers and an impressive sight to visit. Completed in 1922, the wall took over 18 years to finish with many skilled local tradesmen employed seasonally to build it. The wall still stands up to 8ft high and 3ft wide today.

My Top Trails in Mourne Mountains

Slieve Binian from Carricklittle

This route is the most direct route to the top of Slieve Binnian my favourite hike in the mourne mountains! It begins in the Carricklittle car park. This is at the junction of the Head Road and Oldtown Road. The route is tiring, though the views are phenomenal . This route should take about 2 hours to get to the top.

From the car park go up the track which runs north before it curves west to join the Mourne Wall at a gate and stile. Cross over the stile and continue straight with the Mourne wall on your left and a fence on the right. The track then curves right to follow the south western edge of the forest. Leave the track and go directly along the side of the wall. It runs fairly straight for half a mile up a steady slope.

The wall begins to veer left while the slope steepens, ending finally against the summit tor of Slieve Binnian. Unfortunately the Summit cannot easily be gained from this point. Move right along the base of the tor and make your way up steep grass and heather slopes to a gap. Turn left here and climb a rock step. Cross the rock slabs with care to get to the final step up to the summit. You will find an old metal fence post at the top.

⚠️Take extra care at the last part of this climb as weather conditions like strong winds will make this route particularly hazardous.

Slieve Donard from Newcastle

I think this is the most popular walk in the Mournes. In fact, it’s been so popular that considerable erosion has become evident in recent years, causing the need for renovation work on the path. It is the normal and most direct route up Slieve Donard. It should take around 2 ½ hours at a decent walking pace to get to the top.

Start in the Donard car park in Newcastle and follow the path at the back of the park which leads into the trees. Follow the path up the left bank of the Glen River where you will come across a bridge. Cross this bridge and turn right to ascent the left bank of the river, with waterfalls on the right. Here you will come to a second bridge. Cross this and continue again on the left bank past more waterfalls to a third and final bridge. Do not cross this bridge, but continue up a rocky track to a gate which gives access to the open mountainside.

Continue straight ahead with the Glen River on the left and forest on the right. Near the head of the valley, turn left to cross the river. The trail then curves right on to the flat saddle between Slieve Donard and Slieve Commedagh. Walk in a southerly direction to intercept the Mourne Wall. Turn left along the wall to head for the top of Donard.

The final part of the hike climbs beside the wall directly up to the summit of Slieve Donard. This part is especially tough as it is a continuous slope for 1000 feet, but increasingly impressive views over the Mourne countryside make the slog a little easier to bear. Trust me it’s so worth it!

Trassey to Bloody Bridge

This route is a moderate linear walk for those of you who would prefer a less challenging walk. It links the Trassey Track and the Bloody Bridge. You can see sights such as the Mourne Wall, the Castles, Slieve Commedagh and Slieve Donard on this walk.

To begin, turn left out of Trassey car park. You will see double gates and a stone stile to mark the start of the Trassey Track. Continue straight ahead up this quarry track and pass through another 2 sets of double gates. The path becomes steeper and steeper as it follows the river. Continue up the Trassey Track towards Hare's Gap . Cross over the Mourne Wall using the stile and veer left, onto a well-worn track called the Brandy Pad. Continue along this track for 3 km where you will pass three large mountains: Slievenaglogh, Slieve Corragh and Slieve Commedagh, ( the second highest peak in the Mournes). You will come to some stone steps which lead up to the col between Slieve Beg and Slieve Commedagh. Veer left to pass underneath the craggy outcrops of the Castles which will be on your left.

Continue on the main path which follows around the base of Slieve Donard to meet the wall at the Bog of Donard. Cross over the Mourne Wall and keep on the track which follows down the Bloody Bridge River. When you come to a quarry, cross over the Bloody Bridge River and continue along the well-worn quarry track. Follow the track to the left towards the Bloody Bridge River . I suggest you cross the river using the conveniently located boulders as stepping stones.

Follow this river downstream, crossing a wooden footbridge over the Glenfofanny River. Keep following the river towards the coast and turn left when you come to the Ballagh Road. The Bloody Bridge car park will be 20m away on the opposite side of the road.

💚 As with any natural area please follow the principles of Leave No Trace, respecting the environment and wildlife.