Silent Valley Challenge Trail - Kikeel

Start : The route begins in the Silent Valley Mountain Park main car park reached through the gates on the Head Road on the south side of the Mournes. (BT34 4PU)
Stone way-markers are in place to help guide you. Follow the blue arrows for the Challenge Trail.

(S/E) From the main car park, follow the sign for the Nature Trail until you reach a fork. Take the trail to the right-hand side (North-East), crossing the bridge over the Kilkeel River.

When you come to a sign for Watertown, take the steps up onto the road and turn left, continuing until you reach a junction. At this point you can see the concrete footings of some of the Watertown Houses (this temporary settlement was constructed in 1923 to accommodate the dam builders).

(1) Follow the stone way-markers North which lead you initially to the left and then right, as you climb the slope up to the Mourne Wall. (A)

(2) After 930m or so, the Challenge Trail veers off to the right (South-East) in the direction of the Silent Valley reservoir. Enjoy the views across the dam from the viewpoint area. Follow the trail, making your way downhill again towards the reservoir embankment where your turn right (South).

(3) Then, the way-markers guide you through the woodland area to the left (South-East), past Sally Lough on your left-hand side, and back to the main car park after crossing the Kilkeel River again. (S/E)

Start : The route begins in the Silent Valley Mountain Park main car park reached through the gates on the Head Road on the south side of the Mournes. (BT34 4PU)
Stone way-markers are in place to help guide you. Follow the blue arrows for the Challenge Trail.

Driving to start: The Silent Valley is sign posted for drivers travelling south from Newcastle and north from Kilkeel.

Parking : Silent Valley Mountain Park, Head Rd, Ballymartin, Newry (BT34 4PU). There is an entrance fee.

Terrain : Easy well laid paths. Parkland & Grassland

Public Transport : During the summer months, Translink operates the Mourne Rambler Service- a circular route that stops at the gates of the Silent Valley. More information can be found on the Translink website.

Facilities : Toilets and refreshments are available during summer months and public holidays at Silent Valley restaurant and information centre or in nearby Kilkeel. Disabled parking and toilets.

Dog Policy : Must be kept on a lead.

Report a problem on this walk here.

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

Silent Valley Reservoir

(A) The Mourne Wall was constructed to enclose a catchment area of the Silent Valley Reservoir in the Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland. The 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) high stone wall, which was built to keep livestock from contaminating water supplies, took almost twenty years to complete (1904 to 1922). The project was overseen by the Belfast City and District Water Commissioners.

Quarry Viewpoint : Cornish workers came here to prospect for silver and lead. Their singing and laughter may be the reason why the Silent Valley was formerly known as ‘Happy Valley’. A great place to see the heather bloom or glimpse birdlife such as ravens, wheatears, skylarks and if you’re lucky, peregrine falcons.

Rest at the Shelter Seats by Sally Lough which replicate those used by the stone cutters to protect them from the bitter wind and rain.

Watertown Site : A temporary village known as ‘Watertown’ was constructed to house the 2000 strong workforce. At its peak it had a shop, cinema, hospital and dance hall as well as the first street lights in the island of Ireland.

Pugmill Clay was ground up here to remove stones to ensure it was watertight to build the dam embankment wall.