Mourne Mountains

The Mournes have the highest peaks in Northern Ireland and the whole Irish province of Ulster, with Slieve Donard being its tallest at 2,790 ft (850 m). However, many frequent hikers of the Mournes will profess that the walk up to Slieve Donard's peak itself is not the best walk in the whole Range, with many of the other trails offering better views and more varied terrain & scenery.

History

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

There are two larger towns in the Mournes. These are Newcastle, once a busy seaside resort town, which lies on the foot of Slieve Donard in the north-east of the Mournes and the town of Rostrevor, smaller and nestled away in the south-west offering better access to the western Mournes.
Just out of the park to the west is the town of Newry.

By car

The easiest way to access the Mournes is by Car. There are various treks starting from many different carparks dotted across the whole Range, where the carpark at the foot of Slieve Donard in Newcastle would likely be the most frequented.

By bus

Buses to Newcastle are not cheap but are available from all across Northern Ireland. At most, depending upon where you're travelling from, you may have to connect in some city once. Typically, from Belfast, a bus to Newcastle costs around £15 for a return ticket.
Once you've arrived in Newcastle, it is then possible to use the dedicated Mourne Rambler bus-service which drives around the Mournes operating a pickup-setdown service whereby you may flag down the bus anywhere on its route and jump off anywhere you wish, not necessarily at any bus stops.

No fees to enter or stay in the area.

• Mourne WallA 35-km (22-mile) dry-stone wall that crosses fifteen summits.

• Slieve Donard850-metre-high mountain.

The Mournes are a popular for hikers and climbers.

• Herrons Country Fried Chicken

  phone: +44 28 4176 5895
  address: 26 Newcastle St, Kilkeel

• The Rostrevor Inn

  phone: +44 28 4173 9911
  address: 33-35 Bridge Street, Rostrevor

• The Downshire Arms Hilltown

  phone: +44 28 4063 8899
  address: Main Street, Hilltown

Lodging

• The Mourne Lodge

  phone: +44 28 4176 5859
  address: Bog Road, Atticall

Camping

• Kilbroney Caravan Park

  phone: +44 28 4173 8134
  address: Shore Road, Rostrevor

Backcountry

• Newcastle (Down)
• Newry