Hen, Cock and Pigeon Rock Trail

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A circular route in the western Mournes giving a taster of views that can be experienced in the region. The walker will ascend Hen, Cock and Pigeon Rock Mountains using open mountain terrain before descending through a valley to the starting car park.

Details

n°30751025
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–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 519 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 517 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 528 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 127 m
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Photos

Mountains
Mountains
Mountains
Mountains

Description of the walk

Start : The walk starts at the Sandbank Road Car Park (C321) (BT34 5XU).

(S/E) Leave Sandbank Car Park and cross the Sandbank Road to Hen track, directly opposite. Follow Hen track East up to the gate (around 600 m).

(1) After the stone wall, follow the well-worn track cross country (East) to ascend Hen Mountain (around 550 m).

From here there is no constructed path on the route until the Hen Track is rejoined later at the Rowan Tree River.

(2) At the summit, explore the impressive collection of tors popular with rock climbers. From the South tor, descend South-East before starting the steeper ascent up Cock Mountain.

(3) Ascend Cock Mountain from where there are impressive views of Spelga Dam Reservoir to the East. Descend Cock Mountain in a South-South Easterly direction to flatter ground which can be boggy, before ascending Pigeon Rock Mountain to meet Batts Wall at its summit. (2.3 Km or so)

(4) Follow Batts Wall initially in a South-Easterly direction and then in a South-Westerly direction to the col between Pigeon Rock Mountain and Slievemoughanmore, where you will meet the upper stretch of the Rowan Tree River.

(5) Follow the river right (North-West) to join Hen track (1) after 3.9 Km or so. Follow the track back to Sandbank Road Car Park. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 127 m - Sandbank Car Park
  2. 1 : km 0.64 - alt. 154 m - Well-worn track cross country (left)
  3. 2 : km 1.19 - alt. 297 m - Hen Mountain
  4. 3 : km 2.32 - alt. 472 m - Cock Mountain
  5. 4 : km 4.66 - alt. 528 m - Pigeon Rock Mountain
  6. 5 : km 5.78 - alt. 392 m - Rowan Tree River
  7. S/E : km 10.33 - alt. 127 m - Sandbank Car Park

Notes

Start : The walk starts at the Sandbank Road Car Park (C321) (BT34 5XU).

Driving to start : To get here follow the Kilkeel Road out of Hilltown for 2.9 Km, turn right at the Sandbank Road crossroads and continue for 1.4 Km, Hen car park is on the right-hand side.

Terrain : Loose surface tracks open mount

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : Picnic facilities available at Sandbank Road Car Park

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

Worth a visit

Hen Mountain, Cock Mountain, Pigeon Rock Mountain

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