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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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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)
Pisces II: Sea Angling & Sightseeing on Carlingford Lough

Kilkeel

Address

25 Ballynahatten Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4LG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4176 3669

peyton@pisces2.plus.com

Type

Type:

Sea Fishing

Daily trips departing from Greencastle and Carlingford on Pisces II, which is a modern, fully licensed vessel with capacity for twelve passengers.

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Kilkeel Harbour

Kilkeel

Address

The Nautilus Centre, Rooney Road, Kilkeel, Down, BT34 4AG

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4176 2525

kdakilkeel@hotmail.com

Type

Type:

Sea Fishing

Kilkeel Harbour was developed in the 1800s and is now home to Northern Irelands largest fishing fleet. In the ealy days schooners exported granite, potatoes and grain and imported coal, bricks etc.
It is also home to `Salt n Pepper' the resident…

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Trassey to Bloody Bridge

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A moderate linear walk giving a true taste of the Mournes

More Info
Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Bike Mourne

Address

Various Locations, Castlewellan/Rostrevor, County Down, BT319BU

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Cycling and Mountain Biking

Experience the Mournes by bike on road, track and trail with the guided and self-guided bike and electric bike tours or do it yourself with bike and electric bike hire. Explore the majestic mountains, dramatic coasts, stunning landscapes,…

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Facilities

Establishment Features
- Wi-fi available
Electric Mountain Biking on the Rostrevor Red Trail – Bike Mourne

Rostrevor

Address

Rostrevor Forest Park, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3AA

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Mountain Biking Trails

Experience the exhilaration of the Rostrevor Red Mountain Bike Trail by E-Bike with our Self-Guided Trail Package

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
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
Newcastle Beach

Newcastle

Address

Newcastle Promenade, Newcastle, County Down, BT33 0AA

Telephone
03301374046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Price
Free

Type

Type:

Beach

Sand & pebble beach located on the south down coast.

Price
Free

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- Parking (free)
Tollymore Forest Park - River Trail

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Having descended the Azalea Walk to the Shimna River, the trail turns upstream along the attractive tree lined river bank past the Hermitage to cross the river at Parnell's Bridge. The 10 metre cascade fall is most spectacular.

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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.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Mourne Coastal Route by E-Bike – Bike Mourne

Castlewellan

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Cycling Tour

The Mourne Coastal Route hosts some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery and what better way to experience it than from the socially acceptable, environmentally sustainable and endlessly exhilarating viewpoint provided by an electric bike!
This…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Bronte Homeland Walk

Banbridge

Address

Ballinaskeagh Rd, Banbridge, County Down, BT32 5DJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 406 20232

tic@banbridge.gov.uk

Type

Type:

Walking Route - Short (<5 miles)

Patrick Bronte, the father of the famous literary sisters, was born in this area on 17th March 1777. This 3 mile walk takes in public rights of way and roads in the lovely countryside between Loughbrickland and Rathfriland.

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Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
61 reviews
Fort Evergreen Pet & Play Farm

Warrenpoint

Address

29 Rath Road, Warrenpoint, County Down, BT34 3RX

Telephone
+44 (0) 7775 350 292

fortevergreentrips@gmail.com

Type

Type:

Open Farm

Our play farm offers a huge indoor soft play area with four dragon slides and a massive free-fall slide, Busy-Bee barrel train ride, zipline & outdoor adventure fort including slides, net bridges & climbing walls. Interact with our amazing animals…

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Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Parking (free)
Facilities

Catering
- Restaurant on Premises
Mourne Road Tours - Craft Brewery Tour

Castlewellan

Address

Drumee Gardens, Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9EJ

Telephone
+44 (0) 7368 529 714

info@mourne-road-tours.co.uk

Type

Type:

Brewery/Distillery Tour

Northern Ireland has become one of the most prominent players in the craft beer and gin boom across the world, and this exciting tour will take you to visit three of the region’s biggest players in the industry.

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Lough Shannagh

Address

Co Down

Telephone
+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

visitorservices@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

Lough Shannagh walk leads up hill on the 'Banns Road', an off road farm track. The route circles Lough Shannagh (in an anti-clockwise direction) with a high point of 587m at Carn Mountain. It also follows and crosses the Mourne Wall on places.

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Facilities

Provider Preferences
- Free (parking charges may apply)
Meelmore and Meelbeg

Address

Co Down

Type

Type:

Walking & Hiking

A moderate circular walk in the High Mournes, summiting two of the seven highest peaks in the region, Slieve Meelmore and Slieve Meelbeg.

More Info
Facilities

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

Annalong

Address

Carrick Little Car Park, 74 Oldtown Road, Annalong, County Down, BT34 4RW

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 3057 0220

info@mountainwaysireland.com

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

Visit this magical mountain top landscape which inspired CS Lewis to write The Chronicles of Narnia. Let Mountain Ways Ireland guide you up Slieve Binnian, the third highest of The Mourne peaks, but in our opinion the best.

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Nooks & Crannies of Legananny by E-Bike – Bike Mourne

Castlewellan

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 28 4377 0714

hello@bikemourne.com

Type

Type:

Cycling Tour

Experience Mourne by road with our self-guided tour of the Nooks & Crannies of Legananny by Electric Bike.

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- On site parking
Tripadvisor Traveller Rating
417 reviews
Castlewellan Forest Park

Castlewellan

Address

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

Telephone
+44 (0) 330 137 4046

castlewellanpark@nmandd.org

Type

Type:

Forest Parks

Castlewellan Forest Park boasts a stunning Victorian Castle, incredible panoramic views, scenic walking trails, 27 km of mountain bike trails, nature play perfect for the kids, an on-site multi-activity centre, hedge maze and equestrian centre.

Dates

From:

1 Nov 2025to28 Feb 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00

From:
25 Dec 2025
From:

1 Mar 2026to31 Mar 2026Open 09:00 - 18:00

From:

1 Apr 2026to30 Sept 2026Open 09:00 - 20:00

From:

1 Oct 2026to31 Oct 2026Open 09:00 - 18:00

More Info
Facilities

Parking & Transport
- Car parking
- On site 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)