Blue Lough - Annalong

Start : The Carrick Little car park, at the junction of the Head Road and Oldtown Road near Annalong.

(S/E) Start at Carrick Little car park. A track leading from the car park North into the mountains provides a pleasant start to the Blue Lough walk.

(1) After around 1.3 Km, a stile crosses the Mourne Wall as it descents from Slieve Binnian to the West and continues East towards Long Seefin. The route to the Blue Lough crosses the wall at right angles.

(2) Then it continues along a level track to reach and follow the edge of Annalong Wood.

(3) The path continues along old quarry tracks in open heathland. Much of the route was originally paved with granite slabs and there is evidence of stone working along the way. There are two main track junctions between this point and the Blue Lough, the route bears left at both.

(4) This pleasant spot where the path crosses the small fast stream which exits the Blue Lough. (A) The Blue Lough provides a fine place to picnic. A short walk (600m) further along the track to the col or saddle between Slieve Binnian and Slieve Lamagan will provide a bird’s eye view of Ben Crom Dam and the mountain from which it takes its name.

(5) The return route is the same as the outward journey, so return your step to the starting point. (S/E)

Start : The Carrick Little car park is at the junction of the Head Road and Oldtown Road near Annalong.

Terrain : Gentle hill walking

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : Picnic area, café, campsite and camping pods

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

Mourne Wall connects the summits of 15 mountains.

(A) This spot provides an opportunity to appreciate the view North East to Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest mountain. The rocky slopes of Slieve Lamagan rise close by to the north and Slieve Binnian lies to the Southwest. Percy Bysshe the small outcrop of rock close to the path was named after a poet.