The delicate montane and dry heath, blanket bog, and specialised species which thrive there are part of why the mountains have been designated as a Special Area of Conservation.
Although the Mournes have always been popular with walkers, in recent years the visitor numbers have been increasing. As this has happened, the delicate ecosystem of the Mournes has started to show signs of wear and tear and that’s where the Mourne Rangers come in. As part of the plan to create a sustainable path on Slieve Donard, we started a two year project in 2018 which has now been extended thanks to funding from DAERA. The rangers have been working to repair ‘braided’ tracks, where walkers have created multiple routes and re-landscaping some of the areas around the upland paths to ensure protection of the surrounding environment.