The Mourne Mountains: Slieve Donard, the Mourne Wall & the Best Walks

The Mourne Mountains rise in the south of County Down, sweeping down to the sea at Newcastle, a compact range of granite peaks, reservoirs and forest. They include the highest mountain in Ulster, Slieve Donard, 850 metres high.

Why The Mourne Mountains Is Special

The Mournes are small enough to explore in a day yet as wild and beautiful as any mountains in Ireland, with granite tors, deep valleys and views across the sea to the Isle of Man.

They were made famous in song by Percy French, whose "Mountains of Mourne" sweep down to the sea, and the author C. S. Lewis is said to have pictured them when he imagined Narnia.

The History of The Mourne Mountains

Across the high ground runs the Mourne Wall, a dry-stone wall about 1.5 metres high that crosses fifteen of the summits. It was built between 1904 and 1922 to enclose the catchment of the Silent Valley and Ben Crom reservoirs and keep livestock away from the water supply.

The Silent Valley reservoir, in the heart of the mountains, still supplies water to Belfast and County Down, and its grounds are open to visitors.

Around the mountains, Tollymore and Castlewellan forest parks were laid out on the estates of great houses, with follies, bridges and arboretums.

What to See & the Best Walks at The Mourne Mountains

Climb Slieve Donard from Donard Park in Newcastle, following the Glen River path to the Mourne Wall and the summit. Walk in the Silent Valley and up to the Ben Crom reservoir.

Explore Tollymore Forest Park, with its stone bridges and the Shimna River, and walk round the lake at Castlewellan Forest Park.

Wildlife at The Mourne Mountains

Ravens and peregrines nest on the crags, and red grouse live on the heather moorland. In the forest parks look for red squirrels. Please keep dogs on leads near sheep.

Gardens, Countryside & Antiques near The Mourne Mountains

See the Mourne Mountains AONB and Castlewellan Forest Park listings. Families enjoy the Seaforde Tropical Butterfly House nearby.

To the north, Strangford Lough and its great houses are an easy drive; see our guide to Strangford Lough.

The Mourne Mountains Through the Seasons

Spring brings lambs and gorse in flower. Summer is the season for the high walks. Autumn colours the forest parks magnificently, and winter brings snow to the summits.

Getting to The Mourne Mountains

Buses run from Belfast to Newcastle, at the foot of Slieve Donard. There is parking at Donard Park, Tollymore and the Silent Valley.

The Mourne Mountains: Questions & Answers

What is the highest mountain in the Mournes?

Slieve Donard, 850 metres, the highest mountain in Ulster.

Why was the Mourne Wall built?

To enclose the catchment of the Silent Valley and Ben Crom reservoirs and keep livestock away from the water supply. It was built between 1904 and 1922.

Our Advice

Our advice: Climb Slieve Donard on a clear day from Newcastle, and save a gentler day for Tollymore and Castlewellan.