- Slieve Donard Summit Trail (via Glen River): challenging ascent (around 9 km return, 4–5 hours) from Donard Park in Newcastle to county Down’s highest peak at 850 metres. The route follows the scenic Glen River through pine forest, crosses the Mourne Wall, and rewards with panoramic views over the Irish Sea, Newcastle, and distant peaks – a classic Mourne experience steeped in legend and natural grandeur.
- Tollymore Forest Park River Trail: magical moderate loop (about 5–8 km, 2–3 hours, with options to extend) through ancient woodland along the Shimna River in Tollymore Forest Park near Bryansford. Highlights include cascading waterfalls, gothic stone bridges, the Hermitage folly, and stepping stones; a fairy-tale setting (famous as a Game of Thrones filming location) blending serene riverside paths with diverse flora and wildlife.
- Slieve Binnian Tor Circuit: strenuous yet spectacular loop (around 10–12 km, 4–6 hours) in the heart of the Mourne Mountains, climbing to the rocky summit (747 metres) crowned by dramatic granite tors. Starting from Carrick Little car park, it traverses open moorland with breathtaking views over Silent Valley Reservoir, Annalong Valley, and the Irish Sea – prized for its rugged beauty and iconic rock formations.
- Murlough National Nature Reserve Dune Trails: An easy to moderate network of boardwalk and sandy paths (3–6 km loops) through Ireland’s oldest dune system near Dundrum, with sweeping views of the Mourne Mountains and Dundrum Bay. Rich in wildlife (seals, butterflies, and birds), wildflowers, and golden beaches, it’s a peaceful coastal escape perfect for families and nature lovers.
- Bloody Bridge to Brandy Pad Trail: moderate upland route (around 8–10 km return or extendable) along the historic smugglers’ path from Bloody Bridge near Newcastle, tracing the Annalong River into the High Mournes. It offers dramatic rocky scenery, waterfalls, and views of Slieve Donard and Bearnagh, with links to the Mourne Wall – a rewarding mix of coastal start and wild mountain terrain.
Hiking
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Down:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells –Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – New – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers
Related posts:
FOOTSTEPPING – Saint Ciara of Tipperary: Places associated with the saint and her feast day (January 5)
‘In the BUSH that I love best’ – St Stephen’s day in Ireland and the wren boys
‘Belief in Santa Claus seems to be dying out’ – a letter from the children of Ireland of 1938
A solstice tale: How Newgrange became a rocks star (ahem) of archaeology
