Hikes in Northern Ireland

The Mourne Mountains,also called the Mournes or Mountains of Mourne, are a granite mountain range in County Down in the south-east of Northern Ireland.They include the highest mountains in Northern Ireland, the highest of which is Slieve Donard at 850 m (2,790 ft).The Mournes are designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it has been proposed to make the area Northern Ireland’s first national park.The area is partly owned by the National Trust and sees many visitors every year.
The Mourne Wall crosses fifteen of the summits and was built to enclose the catchment basin of the Silent Valley and Ben Crom reservoirs.

Walking in the Mournes:

Over 525 hectares to explore
The Mournes have been voted one of Ireland’s favourite walking destinations and it’s easy to see why.The network of paths and tracks that cross over this mountain range are not all for the faint-hearted, but the views of the valleys, lakes, rivers and reservoirs make it well worth the climb.
12 peaks to reach
Hugging the County Down coastline, the Mournes structure is made up of 12 peaks that extend into an area only 15 miles by 8 miles (24 x 13 kilometres), each mountain rising above 600m with the highest being Slieve Donard which towers above 852 metres.
For experienced walkers
This area is particularly steep in points and should only be attempted by experienced walkers. The climb to the summit is strenuous but worth it for the spectacular view over the County Down coast
An easier walk
Alternatively, the Glen river path leads up to the saddle (or col) between Donard and Commedagh, and the Mourne Wall which is a well-known feature in the Mournes.
If you’re looking for a sea breeze, you can also take a wander along the Mournes coast path. The paths run from the rocky coastline of Dundrum Bay to the lower slopes of the Mourne Mountains, linking ‘true’ mountain with open sea.