Newry and Mourne walks

A woodland walk exploring Hawthorn Hill Nature Reserve within Slieve Gullion Forest Park. A magical living storybook is brought to life through a trail of intertwined fairy houses and arts features creating a childhood land with dragons, giants and fairies. The Giant’s Lair is inspired by legend and mythical folklore on over a mile of woodlands at Slieve Gullion Forest Park.

A mountain walk exploring the Slieve Gullion Special Area of Conservation and the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) using mountain paths, forest trails and country roads.

This walk begins in the Bloody Bridge car park (on the coast), follows the Bloody Bridge River and then the Mourne Wall to the summit of Slieve Donard (850m).

This fantastic circular walking route follows the Mourne Wall to the summit of Slieve Binnian (747m), traverses between the spectacular South and North Tors before descending along a track past the Blue Lough, Annalong Forest and back to the car park.

Circular route including views over the dam (Silent Valley Reservoir) into the mountains. Find out more about Silent Valley at the Interpretive Centre, which was the site of the original Police Station. A short walk to get some fresh air, a cup of coffee and the sound of birdsong.

A short walk to relax in nature and stretch your legs. This scenic trail passes through some steep upland habitat and park woodland.

A quiet walk by the reservoir. In summer the warmth of the sun's rays will warm you up throughout the walk.

For the most part it is easy walking with spectacular views over the coastal plain and the contrasting landscapes of the Annalong Valley. Everywhere stone walls enclosing small fields are a picturesque feature of Mourne farmland.

This is the 5th and final section of the Ring of Gullion Way. It takes you from Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre to Newry. Country lanes carry you on towards Camlough Mountain. The Slieve Gullion ring dyke has long been celebrated by geologists, and this two-day walking route allows you to explore the area’s unique natural history by foot. The route follows a mixture of footpaths and country lanes as it makes its way around the ring, passing numerous historical sites along the way.

This is the 4th section of the Ring of Gullion Way. It takes you from Forkill to Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre. A steep climb now takes you up the side of the highest mountain in County Armagh. The Slieve Gullion ring dyke has long been celebrated by geologists, and this two-day walking route allows you to explore the area’s unique natural history by foot. The route follows a mixture of footpaths and country lanes as it makes its way around the ring, passing numerous historical sites along the way.

This is the 2nd section of the Ring of Gullion Way. It takes you from Flagstaff to Marble Bridge. You now climb the slopes of Black Mountain, the second highest peak of the ring dyke. The Slieve Gullion ring dyke has long been celebrated by geologists, and this two-day walking route allows you to explore the area’s unique natural history by foot. The route follows a mixture of footpaths and country lanes as it makes its way around the ring, passing numerous historical sites along the way.

This circular route follows off-road trails, quiet country lanes and forest tracks from Newry around the volcanic landscape of the Ring of Gullion AONB. Along its route, ancient monuments and quiet villages can be discovered. The final section leads through the grounds of Derrymore House (owned and managed by the National Trust) near Bessbrook before reaching Newry.

This is the 1rst section of the Ring of Gullion Way. It takes you from Newry to Flagstaff. The Slieve Gullion ring dyke has long been celebrated by geologists, and this two-day walking route allows you to explore the area’s unique natural history by foot. The route begins by heading out of Newry and traversing the slopes of Fathom Mountain, the first hill encountered on the ring dyke. It follows a mixture of footpaths and country lanes as it makes its way around the ring, passing numerous historical sites along the way.

A strenuous linear walk linking the south Mournes to Newcastle via Slieve Binnian, Slievemalagan and the Glen River. Impressive views of Silent Valley Reservoir can be enjoyed from Slieve Binnian and of Ben Crom Reservoir from Slievelamagan, both of which supply Belfast with piped water.

This 4th section of the Mourne Way Trek, carries you across the edge of the Mourne Mountains to the sea at the opposite side of the range. Almost all of the distance is off-road, with forest trails and mountain paths predominating. A gradual descent along a forest track carries you easily to the finish above Carlingford Lough.

This 3rd section of the Mourne Way Trek is a challenging yet rewarding walk, some of which crosses open hill side with no waymarking so please ensure you are adequatley prepared.

A highly challenging route taking in 7 of the 10 highest mountains in the Mournes and Northern Ireland, by following the historic Mourne wall. ⚠️Group numbers of no higher than 12 should attempt this route in one go, due to erosion issues around the fragile Mourne wall.

Lough Shannagh walk leads up hill on the ‘Banns Road’, an off road farm track. The route circles Lough Shannagh (in an anti-clockwise direction) with a high point of 587m at Carn Mountain. It also follows and crosses the Mourne Wall on places. A track locally known as the Banns Road leads to the hills.

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.

A circular walk starting at Hanna’s Close Cottages following quiet country roads.

A circular walk starting at Hanna's Close Cottages following quiet country roads.

A short community trail through Glassdrummond Wood in the grounds of St Brigid’s Church.

A circular route in the central Mournes taking in sites such as Annalong Wood, Slievelamagan, Ben Crom Reservoir, Cove Mountain and Annalong Valley, with views over the Irish Sea and to the Isle of Man.

This walk provides an easy introduction to the Mountains of Mourne giving a mountain atmosphere whilst following gentle gradients and making use of distinct tracks and pathways.

Aughrim Hill, situated in the heartland of the Mourne mountains in County Down, will be transformed from a bare hillside with no tree cover to a habitat with over 110,000 native trees. In total the new woodland habitat stretches to 60 hectares. There are a few options for routes to choose from so you can see Co. Down from lots of different angles.

The route leaves from the car park at the Junction of Ballymoyer Road and Drumcrow Road. It initially follows the Creggan River and then winds it way through the mixed woodland of a fairy glen with deep mossy and ferned banks before returning back to the starting point.

At the start of this walk take time to visit the Annalong Cornmill (open during summer months) situated at the picturesque Annalong Harbour. This shoreline walk takes in magnificient views of the Mourne Mountains.