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The most famous of the mountains in the country
The Mountains of Mourne, near Newcastle, County Down
Asset | Opening time |
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Countryside | Dawn - Dusk |
Steep mountain route with steps and uneven paths. Toilet facilities in car park.
Parking for Slieve Donard in Donard Park, Newcastle and Mourne Coastal Path at Bloody Bridge on A2, 2 miles south of Newcastle
From Donard Park, follow the Glen River, walking through the trees to the foothills of the mountain
Ulsterbus No 20 between Belfast and Newcastle
The Mournes is a one pawprint rated place. Find out where you can walk your dog and the guidance to follow at different times of the year when walking near livestock and ground nesting birds.
The highest mountain range in Northern Ireland, which includes 12 peaks and stunning views.
This 1.6km linear trail, located close to Bloody Bridge, lets walkers get closer to the mostly inaccessible stretch of coastline.
Explore the highest, most dramatic mountain range in Northern Ireland. Head out for a walk, enjoy views of the valleys, lakes & rivers & spot seasonal wildlife.
Discover the abundance of wildlife on the Mournes, from birds such as ravens, red grouse and peregrine falcons to mammals including the Irish hares and even common lizards.
The last Saturday of each month, we are giving volunteers the opportunity to get involved with vital restoration projects of the Mournes.
The Mournes are visited by many tourists, hillwalkers, cyclists and rock climbers. The mountains are immortalised in a song written by Percy French in 1896, 'Mountains o'Mourne' and famously by Don McLean. They also influenced C.S. Lewis to write The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
The climb to Slieve Donard Summit can be strenuous but worth it for spectacular views; the Co. Down coast, Newcastle town, Murlough Dunes and on a clear day Scrabo Tower to the North and the Isle of Man to the East.
The Glen River Path leads up to the saddle, or col, between Donard and Commedagh and the Mourne Wall, a well known feature in the Mournes.
One of the last active granite quarries in the Mournes is Thomas's Quarry. It is from here the 47 tonne, 40 feet (12m) long Delamont Millennium stone was quarried, the highest modern standing stone in Northern Ireland.
Another place to explore is Bloody Bridge. The name refers to a massacre at the site during the 1641 rebellion; the bodies of slain prisoners were thrown over the bridge into the river, turning the water red.
Finally, take a wander along the Mourne Coast Path, which is hugely important for the access it affords visitors to an otherwise generally inaccessible coastline.
The paths run from the rocky coastline of Dundrum Bay to the lower slopes of the Mourne Mountains, linking ‘true’ mountain with open sea.
Slieve Donard is steeped in history with settlements dating back to 5,500 BC. Named after a hermit who lived on the summit, discover the history of Northern Ireland’s tallest mountain.
We’re carrying out conservation work at the Mournes Mountains in Northern Ireland to help the area recover from damage caused by wild fires and adapt to the effects of climate change. Find out how measures such as conservation grazing, wildlife surveys and new technology are protecting fragile habitats and supporting nature.
Find out how the paths at Slieve Donard are being repaired in the Mourne mountains and discover how the work is funded and how you can help.
Join us as a volunteer ranger in the Mournes mountains and help others enjoy their visit by helping to look after this nationally important place.
Enjoy access to more than 500 places with National Trust membership. Join today and help protect nature, beauty and history – for everyone, for ever.