Mourne Mountains
In County Down, you'll find Northern Ireland’s largest mountain range, beloved of hillwalkers and rock climbers, and boasting some of the most dramatic scenery on the island of Ireland. The grandeur of the Mourne Mountains has inspired many, including Belfast-born author CS Lewis. Look closely, in fact, and you might see a striking resemblance to his famous fantasy land of Narnia.
These mountains are full of oddities. Take the Mourne Wall, for example – a 35km dry-stone wall crossing its summits; or the Cloughmore Stone, a 40 tonne boulder said to have been flung across nearby Carlingford Lough by a giant; or Tollymore Forest Park, whose exotic trees and gothic stone follies make it an ideal filming location for Game of Thrones®.
Drive the Mourne Coastal Route from Belfast to Newry for the ultimate Mournes tour or follow in the footsteps of 18th century smugglers on the "Brandy Path" – one of the many walking trails through the mountains.