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Mourne Mountains
Mourne Mountains

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Mourne Mountains

Let the Mourne Mountains inspire you

The mountains that inspired C.S. Lewis’ Narnia chronicles, Game of Thrones® filmmakers, poets and songwriters will not fail to inspire you too.

Go trekking or hiking, take the legendary Six Peak Challenge, a walking tour or a thrilling bike ride. Maybe you’d prefer to drive a golf ball or microlight across them! As surely as they sweep down to the sea, their beauty will sweep you away.

First, let’s get our bearings

Since you ask, these 50 million year-olds are in County Down in the southeast of Northern Ireland. They also go by a few names - Mourne Mountains, or the Mountains of Mourne, or simply the Mournes. But don’t worry, it’s the same place!

If you like your scenery spectacular, this Ice Age granite range is home to the highest mountain in Northern Ireland. The daddy of them all, Slieve Donard is 850m - or 2790 ft, if you like. (By the way, ‘slieve’ is an old Irish word ‘sliabh’ meaning mountain).

Thronies - you’re up first

You’ll be delighted to know you can walk through the stunning locations from the original pilot episode and later seasons.

From Season 1, see the entrance to Vaes Dothrak at Sandy Brae. While in nearby Tollymore Forest, you can relive Theon’s escape plans from Season 3. But there are loads more locations around for you to explore.

If you try the Game of Thrones® : Doors of Thrones experience, you’ll locate some of the 10 intricately crafted doors - carved from the trees of Kingsroad - each telling the story of an episode from Season 6. Or if you download the Game of Thrones® Filming Locations Northern Ireland app, you’ll find out what scenes were filmed nearby. Spoiler alert: you’ll love it.

Get ready for the Six Peak Challenge

Whether you’re looking for a family day out or your next hiking challenge, you’re in the perfect place. The Mournes are blindingly beautiful, so enjoy every moment. If you’re blessed with a clear day, the summits of any of its 15 peaks will reward you with unforgettable panoramas.

For the famous Six Peak Challenge you’ll need higher levels of fitness to last the three days. But the images from the tops of Slieve Donard, Commedagh, Bearnagh, Binnian, Meelmore and Meelbeg will be burned into your memory forever.

Calling all adrenalin junkies

You can turn your adventure-ometer up to ‘11’ in the Mournes. Pick your adrenalin fix - rock climbing, abseiling, mountain biking, kayaking, bouldering, coasteering – you name it and it’s doable. Just hook up with a local Adventure Provider first. Then, go and dive, jump or drop to your heart’s content in the most fun-filled mountain range around.

Lose and find yourself in Tollymore Forest Park

Whatever you’re into, Tollymore Forest Park delivers in spades. Take a gentle stroll, go on a family picnic by the River Shimna or go horse riding or nature trailing – it’s big enough for everyone. There’s even room for your Game of Thrones® fan to go location spotting. You’ll also see plenty of curiosities to keep your imagination fired. Or discover that oak wood from here was used in the RMS Titanic. Amazing what you’ll find when you lose yourself here!

Discover another enchanted forest

Castlewellan Forest Park is your cycling, walking or horse-riding path to enchantment. Or you could try to solve your way to the centre of one of the world's largest hedge mazes and ring the Peace Maze bell to let everyone know. We’ll even throw in a stunning castle, forest park, nature playzone and activity centre for you.

You won’t find better places to drive – or putt!

Those of you into golf will be in dreamland here. In the Mourne kingdom, you’ll find world-class courses, like Royal County Down or ‘Our Rory’s’ club in Holywood. Treat yourself to a round at the magnificent Ardglass links course or the parkland perfection of Warrenpoint. Or discover what ‘up and down’ really means on the undulating greens at Kilkeel. And with these views, you’ll find the 19th holes spectacular too.

You can really hear the silence in Silent Valley Mountain Park

As its name suggests, Silent Valley Mountain Park is where you can truly get away from it all. As you follow the waterside, breathe in the freshest of mountain air, soak up the tranquillity or be inspired to take a stunning photo. If silence really is golden, discover this 24-karat experience for yourselves.

Boardwalk – definitely not a bored walk

When you walk the unique boardwalks crossing Murlough Nature Reserve, you’re walking among ancient history. This fragile 6,000-year-old dune system backs on to a sensational beach at Murlough Bay. You’ll have the Mournes as your stunning backdrop as you stroll, go wildlife watching or just take in the crispest of sea air. And if that doesn’t whet your appetite for a spot of grub in nearby Dundrum, nothing will.

Microlight your way across the Mournes

If your adrenalin fix still hasn’t been sated, try soaring over the Mournes on a Microlight Flight. As you can imagine, the scenery below will take your breath away. And if that wasn’t mind-blowing enough, you can even take over the controls and become honorary pilot for a while.

Become a lord of the ring – the Ring of Gullion

Reconnect yourself with nature, history and mythology in the beautiful volcanic landscape of the Ring of Gullion. Here, you’ll find a walking route to suit your tastes with Slieve Gullion at its heart. You’ll even get to watch out for the elusive species of red squirrel at two hides on route.

You’re almost there

This land of make believe, stunning scenery and adrenalin-pumping outdoor pursuits is just under a 2-hour drive from Dublin. To save yourself some time, stop off in Carlingford and catch the 15-minute ferry to Greencastle. You’ll be in the heart of things in no time.

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Number of results: 67

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Mourne Trails & Ales Tour

Castlewellan

Address

Main Street, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9BU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Food & Drink Courses

Get a taste of the outdoors, local history and the finest craft brews.

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Cranfield Alpacas Experience

Kilkeel

Address

35-37 Cranfield Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4LJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7568 537 779

enquiries@cranfieldalpacas.com

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Feel the stresses and strains of daily life vanish in the presence of beautiful animals and majestic scenery of the Mourne Mountains.

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Men of the Mournes

Warrenpoint

Address

56 Burren Road, Warrenpoint, County Down, BT34 3SA

Telephone
+44 (0) 7974768831

peter@walkthemournes.com

Type

Type:

Historical Tours

Join expert mountain guide Peter Rafferty as he stretches your imagination - and your legs - as you discover the sights and sounds of this special mountain range.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
226 reviews
Kilbroney Park

Rostrevor

Address

Kilbroney Park, Shore Road, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3AA

Telephone
+44(0)33 0137 4046

kilbroney.park@nmandd.org
Gradings
- Three Star Quality Assurance
Type

Type:

Forest Parks

Kilbroney Park on the northern shore of Carlingford Lough is a wonderful escape for all the family no matter their different ages and stages.
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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
- Parking (charge) - Parking Charges apply
Mourne Mountain Adventures

Kilkeel

Address

Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4XY

Telephone
+44 (0) 07873 904 206

MourneMountainAdventures@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Experience the beauty and adventure that hides over every peak and rolling hill in the Mournes with one of Mourne Mountain Adventures’ guided hikes. We provide you with the perfect way to gain an in-depth insight into the region’s incredible flora…

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
120 reviews
Cranfield West Beach

Kilkeel

Address

Cranfield, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4LN

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

info@visitmournemountains.co.uk

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Beach

Cranfield West offers a gently sloping, mainly sandy beach located at the entrance to Carlingford Lough, an area designated as being of Special Scientific Interest.

Price
Free

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
261 reviews
Life Adventure Centre

Castlewellan

Address

The Forest Park, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9BU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 437 70714

iwant@onegreatadventure.com

Type

Type:

Activity Centre

Epic adventures are on offer all year round at Life Adventure Centre. Their extensive range of activities include mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, wet bouldering, rock climbing, sit on top kayaking, coasteering, electric biking and open…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
Trassey to Bloody Bridge

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A moderate linear walk giving a true taste of the Mournes

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Clanrye River

Newry

Address

C/O Newry Visitor Information Centre, Begenal's Castle, Newry, County Down, BT34 2BY

Telephone
+44 (0)28 3083 3077

newryvic@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Coarse Fishing

The Clanrye River is a medium sized river (12 miles, 5-20m) with good brown trout fishing. Pike and small minnow frequent the waters and in the summer months you will find a run of sea trout.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Slieve Donard from Bloody Bridge

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

This walk begins in the Bloody Bridge car park (on the coast), follows the Bloody Bridge River and then follows the Mourne Wall to the summit of Slieve Donard (850m).

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Slieve Binnian

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Fantastic circular route in the High Mournes

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Lough Shannagh - The Heart of the Mournes - Mountain Ways Ireland

Kilkeel

Address

The Game Keeper Lodge, 270 Moyad Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4SU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3057 0220

info@mountainwaysireland.com

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Trek to the heart of The Mournes as we trace the fascinating story of Granite.We'll demonstrate this ancient art and also visit the largest and most beautiful natural mountain lake with views far below into the stunning Mountain reservoirs.

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The GI Trail

Kilkeel

Address

The Nautilus Centre, Kilkeel, Co Down, BT34 4AX

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4176 2525

gitrail.ni@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

The GI Trail, a Heritage Lottery Funded project aims to map out all the sites at which the American GIs were based in Northern Ireland during The Second World War.

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Spelga Dam

Hilltown

Address

Kilkeel Road, Hilltown, County Down, BT34 5XL

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Lake / Reservoir

Spelga Dam Reservoir sits in the heart of the Mourne Mountains, located approximately 10 miles outside of Newcastle, County Down. A man-made reservoir built in the 1950s by the Belfast engineering firm, R Ferguson and Son. It supplies water to…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
154 reviews
Silent Valley Mountain Park

Kilkeel

Address

Head Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4HU

Telephone
+44 (0)345 7440 088

waterline@niwater.com

Type

Type:

Lake / Reservoir

The Silent Valley Reservoir was built to gather water from the Mourne Mountains and is the main water supply source for most of County Down and a large part of Belfast. The famous Mourne Wall was constructed to enclose the reservoir's catchment area.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
Fairy Glen - linear walk

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

The Fairy Glen in Rostrevor provides a pleasant venue for a short stroll. From the centre of Rostrevor village, go down Bridge Street. The Fairy Glen is on the left immediately after the bridge beside the entrance to Kilbroney Park.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Central Mournes

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A circular route in the central Mournes taking in sites such as Annalong Wood, Slievelamagan, Ben Crom Reservoir, Cove Mountain and Annalong Valley, with views over the Irish Sea and to the Isle of Man.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
815 reviews
Tollymore Forest Park

Newcastle

Address

Bryansford Road, Tollymore Park, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0PR

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4372 2428

customer.forestservice@daera-ni.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

Covering an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne mountains, Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle. It's open to the public all year.

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking - There is a charge for parking in Tollymore Forest Park.
Slieve Donard (via Glen River)

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Slieve Donard at 850m (2,789 ft) is the highest of the Mourne Mtns. The views from the summit are extensive and on a clear day the Isle of Man, Wicklow, Donegal, Wales and Scotland may be seen, as well as the long stretch of Newcastle Beach.

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Mourne Mountain Holidays

Address

45 Newtown Road, ROSTREVOR, Co Down, BT34 3BZ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7754709111

booking@mournemountainholidays.com

Type

Type:

Mountain Bike Operators

Mourne Mountain Holidays provides mountain bike guiding and lessons in the Mournes.

More Info