Walking the Mourne Way

Set off on your adventure from Newcastle Visitors Centre and head for Tollymore Forest Park. This 630-hectare site sits at the foot of the Mourne Mountains with marked trails taking in woodland, mountain peaks and the Shimna River. It’s a pretty magical place packed with monuments, follies and stone bridges – so magical that it featured as the Haunted Forest in HBO’s hit series Game of Thrones®. Don’t worry though, you’ll find no White Walkers hiking along the trail! But if you want to explore key filming locations from the show while you’re here, then the Tollymore Forest Trek is for you.

As you journey through the forest, you’ll pass Slieve Commedagh and the Spinkwee River which leads to the 10-metre high Cascade Falls. The section ends at a track junction at the bottom of the Spinkwee River.

Get set to swap leafy forest trails for the rugged terrain of the Mournes. Hikers leave behind the Spinkwee for the Shimna River, crossed by stepping stones if the water allows safe passage. You can also cross by footbridge, following rapids upstream. The track leads you to the King’s Grave – a 3,000-year-old Bronze Age burial site – and further on to the Trassey Track. As one of the busiest routes in the Mournes, you’re sure to bump into a fellow walker or two. Follow the route south and you’ll emerge to open terrain, taking in the mighty Mournes. Further on, use the stone wall as your guide to reach the Happy Valley, nestled between the foothills of Slieve Meelmore and Slieve Meelbeg.

This next section leads to Fofanny Reservoir across a metal footbridge, through pine trees and out to the Blue Quarry car park. This is where things get steep! For an easier journey, take the alternative route along the road to reach the pass. If you’re an experienced hiker and the weather is on your side, follow the official route to Spelga Pass. This unmarked climb crosses the 500-metre-high summit of Butter Mountain and the views of the Mournes at the top are breathtaking. The navigational descent follows the ridge along a fence past the summit of Spaltha. Take care as the way down is steep. You'll find a stone wall that guides you back to the road down to the Spelga Pass.

The adventure continues as you journey through three mountain valleys to Leitrim Lodge. Upland tracks lead to Northern Ireland’s longest river, the River Bann, and past the peaks of Slievenamiskan and Hen Mountain, following on to a mountain track known as the New Bog Road. Get set for a steady climb along the Rocky River valley with lovely views of granite tors – the track leads towards Pigeon Rock Mountain. On your descent you’ll cross the Rocky River only to climb again, heading for the ridge between Rocky Mountain and Tornamrock, over raised boglands and down to the track junction at Leitrim Lodge.

This part of the route trades mountain views for forest trails as you pass the foothills of Altataggart Mountain into a landscape dotted with Scots pine trees onto the lower slopes of Tievedockaragh and downwards over a stile into the grounds of Rostrevor Forest. The rugged terrain of the Mournes blends into rolling countryside before leading into a passage of pine trees and on to the Yellow Water Picnic Area. Take the time to relax, unwind and refuel with some pre-packed snacks here in this tranquil spot.

The end is in sight – and what a sight it is! This last portion of the trail follows over the Yellow Water River through pine trees where you will catch glimpses of Kilbroney River valley, the charming town of Rostrevor and the serene backdrop of Carlingford Lough. Follow the signed track onwards on a steady descent through the trees and past the camping grounds where a stone bridge leads through to the main car park for Kilbroney Forest Park – the end of the Mourne Way.