Flagstaff to Marble Bridge - Ring of Gullion Way

Start : Flagstaff view point car park, 98 Flagstaff Rd, Newry (BT35 8GP).

(S) From the car park, walk South to reach C219. Turn right (West-South-West) at Flagstaff T-junction with C219 and continue for 1 Km to a narrow lane on the left, signed to Clontygora Court Grave.

(1) Turn left (South-East) on this road. This neolithic tomb is located close to the bottom of the lane, and is well worth a visit. From here, continue uphill along the lane, climbing between high stone walls. The route takes you on a loop past numerous small farms before descending back to the larger road : Clontigora Hill.

(2) Turn right (West) here, then left some 275 m later.

This road climbs to the summit of 508m-high Black Mountain, and though you won’t be going all the way to the top, you will be gaining over 200m in altitude over the next 3 Km. The climb is sustained at first then eases slightly, with the surrounding peat moorland becoming wilder as you progress.

(3) After 1 Km, the route turns right, past a metal gate and onto a gravel track. You are now within the boundary of Ravensdale Forest. Continue straight ahead at the first track junction, ignoring the left-pointing yellow Tain Trail waymarker and descend into the trees, with great views where there are gaps in the vegetation.

(4) Keep left (West) at the next junction on Ferryhill Road (C219).

(5) Then after another 530 m veer left (South) again onto a smaller track. Descend steeply now through the trees,

(6) Approximately 2.7 Km later, where the track bends left, look out for a narrow footpath heading off to the right then left straight away. This muddy trail weaves between the trunks. This path brings you to a fantastic section high above a stream gorge.

(7) Bear right to cross the stream gorge and get to the other bank.

(8) When you get to the other bank, turn left, keep the stream gorge on your left-hand side and keep walking South-West for around 510 m.

(9) At a junction of trails turn right (North-West) and after about 150m, turn left and descend a set of steps which lead on to a delightful walk by the bank of the stream and Marble Bridge car park. (E)

Start : Flagstaff view point car park, 98 Flagstaff Rd, Newry (BT35 8GP).

Arrival : Marble Bridge car park, Ravensdale Forest recreation Area, L7092, Mountpleasant, Co. Louth

Parking :
Start : Flagstaff car park, 98 Flagstaff Rd, Newry (BT35 8GP).
End : Marble Bridge car park, Ravensdale Forest recreation Area, L7092, Mountpleasant, Co. Louth

Terrain : Tarmac, off road tracks, forests

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : No facilities available during this section.

Dog Policy : Dogs must be kept under close control

Note : If you wish, you can do several parts of this trek at once. Pay attention to the information given in each part like the duration and the elevation to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

Did You Know?
Clontygora Court Grave, which is visited on this section, is a fine example of a neolithic tomb. You can still see the massive boulders that once formed the entrance to a more extensive structure, used by an early farming community for collective burial. The site has been dated to between 4000 and 2500 BC.