Mourne Mountains – guided day hike
Slieve Donard And The Hare’s Gap – day hike (Strenuous)
The highest mountain in Northern Ireland, and if that’s not enough, the second highest too!
About the Mourne Mountains guided day hike
Please note this hike is graded as ‘Strenuous’ and requires a good level of fitness, it is not suitable for beginners.
An opportunity to climb the highest mountain in Northern Ireland, Slieve Donard (849 metres). We begin our hike at the Meelmore Lodge car park, (toilet facilities), and soon find ourselves following the Trassey river into the mountains. A steady climb brings us to the Hare’s Gap where we follow the Mourne Wall over Slievenagogh and Slieve Commedagh, the second highest mountain in this range. From here the views over the reservoirs of the Silent valley to the south and to Tollymore forest and Newcastle to the north are magnificent.
We descend again before a final re-ascent to the summit of Slieve Donard, from the large Bronze Age cairn at the summit there are lovely views over Newcastle and the Irish Sea. Making our way down the southern flank on the mountain we make our return by the Brandy Pad, a well-made path famous for being an old smugglers route inland.
Please ensure you wear good mountain footwear as this route is rocky and slippery in places. You may be turned away by the guide if you arrive in runners.
| MEETING POINT | Meelmore Lodge car park, Trassey Road, 10.30 am | ||||
| RETURN TIME | Approx. 5.30pm | ||||
| EQUIPMENT | Good waterproof boots and waterproof clothing are essential – walking trousers are advised or comfortable athletic clothing, (no jeans please); spare warm layer; hat and gloves; lunch and/or snacks; water or juice drink, (1.5 litres); small rucksack to carry it all in. | ||||
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OSNI Activity Map: The Mournes
Find a date below and use the form to book
Below you’ll find dates for this hike for the next 4 months, for more events and further dates for this event view the full calendar.
FULL CALENDAR OF EVENTS TO BOOKING FORM
january 2022
No hikes or courses
february 2022
No hikes or courses
march 2022
No hikes or courses
april 2022
