Slieve Binnian - Annalong

Start : The Carrick Little car park at the junction of the Head Road and Oldtown Road near Annalong. (BT34 4RW)

(S/E) From the Carrick Little car park, follow a clear, stony track North that rises gently between the fields. Note the boulder walls alongside, and the high mountains around the distant head of Annalong Valley.

(1) After 1 Km or so, cross a stone step stile beside an iron gate.

(2) Then walk 300m, turn left to follow the Mourne Wall uphill (North-West). The wall rises steeply on the rugged slopes of Slieve Binnian, but it is an obvious line to follow almost all the way to the summit. There is a break when the wall runs into a bare face of granite, and before this point you should drift to the right and aim for a notch in the top of the mountain. Going all the way to the summit at 2449ft (747m) involves using your hands and taking care on the rock.

The reward is an exceedingly fine panorama of the surrounding mountain. In clear weather it’s possible to see the Isle of Man out to sea and the Wicklow Mountains beyond Dublin.

(3) Pick your way carefully North around the base of the Summit Tor and continue walking along the ridge of the Mountain. You cross a broken wall and follow a clear path past the Back Castles.

These are a handful of wrinkly little tors that you don’t have to grapple with. Simply enjoy the views as you walk past them. The North Tor is a monstrous outcrop of granite towards the end of the crest, and the path passes it on the left side. The ground slopes away more steeply as the path wanders through the heather, past boulders and outcrops of granite on the way down to a prominent gap – the col between Slieve Lamagan and Slieve Binnian.

(4) At the col turn right and follow a clear path downhill (South-East).

(5) This passes close to the Blue Lough on your left-hand side.

(6) After 540m, keep right at junctions with other paths, you’ll be led down to a clear track passing a corner of Annalong Wood.

(7) Simply follow the track alongside the Forest fence and return to the iron gate in the Mourne Wall at the waypoint (2).

(1) Keep walking South-East and cross the wall using the stile and follow the track back to Carrick Little car park. (S/E)

Start : The Carrick Little car park is at the junction of the Head Road and Oldtown Road near Annalong. The Mourne Rambler bus departs from Newcastle Bus station on a regular basis during the summer months (see link below).

Parking : Carrick Little (Slieve Binnian) Car Park, 74 Oldtown Rd, Annalong, Newry BT34 4RW

Terrain : Track and mountain terrain

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : Toilets and refreshments available in nearby Annalong Village.

Dog Policy : Dogs must be kept on leads

Note : Please be aware – although, there are numerous walking routes in the Mournes, the majority of these popular walks are not formally designated public rights of way. Most routes have developed over time due to traditional use. Below 600 feet (180m) most land is privately owned and is farmed or grazed. Many of the traditional access routes cross this land or pass along farm lanes and quarry tracks.

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

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.