Granite Trail (Bogie Line & Drinneevar Loop)

Covering a relatively short distance from coast to open moorland, the Granite Trail offers the opportunity to see artifacts from the once thriving granite industry of Mourne. Differing natural habitats can be enjoyed as you walk through coniferous forest and mature woodland beside mountain streams and rivers. Start Point: J381296 Finish Point: J381296 Route: There are 3 component parts to this trail, providing the walker with a range of possible options or combinations.  • Bogie Line • Drinneevar Loop • Donard Loop Starting from NEWCASTLE HARBOUR (Bogie Line & Drinneevar Loop) Walk up to the main Newcastle – Kilkeel road (beside the Harbour Inn). Cross the road with care and continue up Bogie Hill and up onto King Street. A “Granite Trail” sign marks the direction to the start of the old BOGIE LINE, a cleared strip of forest on a 1 in 3 incline up towards Millstone Quarry. At the top of Donard Wood, cross the stile to access the DRINNEEVAR LOOP.  Follow the narrow path to your left hand side which takes you to a 2nd stile over a dry stone wall.  Cross the stile and continue along the path which leads upwards into the hillside. You will then descend briefly before taking the linear path to your right hand side, which leads up to Drinneevar Quarry (accessed through a gateway in the wall).  Here you can see remnants of the Granite Industry, including stones that have been cut using the plug and feathers technique.  Retrace your steps back along the linear route until you come to a 3rd stile which takes you back onto a forest road.  Follow the road until you reach a fork in the road. Take the left hand road and continue until you reach the BOGIE LINE. Turn right to descend onto Bogie Hill and the main A2 road.  NB – the trail on the open mountainside is very narrow and is not waymarked, in order to minimise visual disruption.  WARNING - The trail includes quarries with loose spoil, old workings and unprotected drops.  It is recommended that visitors keep to the trail. Distance: 3 miles Terrain: Steep inclines, forest tracks Point of interest: Harbour and Town, Natural Habitat Facilities: Wide range of eateries to suit all tastes in Newcastle. Publication: The Granite Trail, Newcastle, Co. Down Publication availability: You can pick up a copy of this at Newcastle Tourist Information Centre. Tel: 028 4372 2222. Alternatively, it is available to download on this page. Nearest town: Newcastle OS map: Sheet 29 Accessible terrain: Steep ascents and descents, concrete paths & steps, off road paths on open hillside and through forest. The path is uneven in places with roots, rocks etc. May be slippery.

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