Mourne Mountains

Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (1966), Not A National Park. Slieve Donard, 850 M, Is The Highest Point In Northern Ireland; A 35 Km Dry Stone Wall Built In 1904 22 To Enclose A Reservoir Catchment Crosses 15 Summits. · Newcastle, Northern Ireland

The Mournes are a compact range of granite mountains in County Down, rising almost straight from the sea at Newcastle. They are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, not a national park, though they are often described as one. Slieve Donard, at 850 m, is the highest point in Northern Ireland, and a dry-stone wall about 35 km long, built between 1904 and 1922 to enclose the Silent Valley reservoir catchment, runs over many summits and is the range's trademark. The walking is rewarding and the scenery rounder and gentler than the Highlands, but do not underestimate it: the Glen River path to Donard is steep, mist comes in fast and the high ground has few landmarks. It suits keen walkers, families using the lower forests and anyone who wants mountains and a beach in one day. Weekends and bank holidays are busy on the Donard route, and the car parks fill, so go early. Newcastle itself is a plain seaside town, pleasant rather than special.

Granite mountains in County Down rising directly from the sea at the seaside town of Newcastle, with Slieve Donard (850 m) above it, the Mourne Wall running over the summits and Tollymore and Silent Valley nearby, Newcastle, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

The mountains are open at all times and the hills are free to walk, with no fixed gates on most routes. Access over farm and reservoir land follows local paths and landowner agreements, so keep to marked routes. Silent Valley Mountain Park and the nearby forests have their own opening hours, which are longer in summer and shorter in winter, so confirm current times before driving. Cafes, shops and car parks in Newcastle keep seasonal hours. Daylight is short from November to February, and there is no lighting on any hill path.

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