Spelga Pass to Yellow Water Picnic Area - Mourne Way Trek

Start : Spelga Pass (Kilkeel Road (B27) near to the Spelga Reservoir)
The Mourne Way route is always well signed

To reach the start from Spelga Dam / Reservoir car park, (BT34 5XL) walk safely along Kilkeel Road (B27) North-East for around 800 m.

(S) Cross the road (B27) at Spelga Pass and pass through two metal gates on your left if you came from the car park or straight ahead if you walk the whole way. Now descend across a footbridge that spans the nascent River Bann.

(1) Turn right (North-West) on the opposite bank and contour around the base of Slievenamiskan.

(2) After 800 m or so, the route then turns right (North-West) and descends across a hollow, heading towards a stone wall that runs around the base of Hen Mountain.

(3) 2.1 Km or so later, when you meet the wall, turn left (South) and contour beneath the northern slopes of the mountain.

The path is sometimes wet underfoot, but brings you to the firm surface of a mountain track known as the New Bog Road (or Hen Track). Follow the track for 2 Km, climbing gradually along the Rocky River valley. At first there are good views of the granite tors that decorate the summit of Hen Mountain – a popular rock climbing venue – then the feeling of isolation increases as you continue into the upper part of the valley.

Follow the track towards Pigeon Rock Mountain.

(4) Turn right and cross a ford over the Rowan Tree River. Turn right again (North-West) on the opposite bank and descend over rough ground to a footbridge across the Rocky River.

(5) Cross the Rocky River. Now begin to climb West up an open mountain slope, heading for the col between Rocky Mountain and Tornamrock. A faint path indicates the route across the sometimes wet ground (raised bog). The path consolidates at the col, and a steady descent brings you to a track at the base of the valley.

(6) At the track junction near Leitrim Lodge, turn left and begin to contour southwest along the base of Altataggart Mountain. You are now within the old Batt’s Estate and tall scots pine trees lie scattered across the hillside, providing a welcome vertical dimension after the previously bare slopes.

The track soon veers right at a forestry plantation, but you should keep straight ahead along a rough footpath that follows along the edge of the trees.

(7) Pass around the plantation and continue back out into the open. The trail climbs briefly onto the lower slopes of Tievedockaragh, then descends to a stile.

(8) Cross this and join the firmer terrain of a gravel forest track. You are now inside the grounds of Rostrevor Forest, though most of the initial trees have been felled and the slopes remain relatively open for at least a kilometre. Across the valley to your right, a cluster of outlying hills mark the gradual demise of the Mourne Mountains as the peaks merge back into the rolling countryside.

Before long the track plunges into thickly-planted pine trees and you arrive at a T-junction with another track. This marks the access point for Yellow Water Picnic Area, and the end of the section. (E)

Start : Spelga Pass (Kilkeel Road (B27) near to the Spelga Reservoir)

To reach the start from Spelga Dam / Reservoir car park, (BT34 5XL) walk safely along Kilkeel Road (B27) North-East for around 800 m.

Arrival : Yellow Water Picnic Site, Newtown Rd, Rostrevor, Newry (BT34 3BY)

Parking : Car park available at the Spelga Reservoir (BT34 5XL), and at the Picnic area at the arrival.

Terrain : Mixed mountain terrain

Note : The Mourne Way route is always well signed

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : Crotlieve Barn, Co Down, 72 Newtown Rd, Rostrevor, Newry (BT34 3DD) (B&B)

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

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

Did You Know?
Spelga Pass starts by crossing the nascent River Bann. Rising just 12km from Northern Ireland’s southeast coast, this river eventually flows into the sea near Coleraine, at the opposite end of the province. Passing first through Spelga Reservoir and then through Lough Neagh, its 129km journey makes it the longest river in Northern Ireland.

The name Altataggart translates from the Gaelic as ‘Hill of the Priest’. It refers to the fact that this mountain was a site of clandestine religious worship during the period of penal law in the 18th century. The mass rock is located part-way up the mountain, just above the present-day forest.