Mourne Mountains

The Mourne Mountains are located in the south-east corner of Northern Ireland, approximately 50 kilometres south of Belfast. They are a granite mountain range containing Northern Ireland’s highest mountains. The UK government has classified the Mournes as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and there is a proposal that they become the first National Park in Northern Ireland.

The summits and the many dramatic rocky outcrops of the Mourne Mountains make them popular with walkers and rock climbers. Outdoor enthusiasts are well catered for as there is an extensive network of forest trails and mountain paths in the region. Slieve Donnard, the highest mountain in Northern Ireland (850m; 2,790ft), is a particularly popular destination.

The Mourne Mountains are home to many birds including ravens, peregrines, wrens, buzzards, wagtails and snipes. The main forms of vegetation are grasses and heathers.

Mourne Wall is a striking feature of the region. This drystone wall was built by the Water Board in the early twentieth century. It crosses fifteen summits and stretches for 35km (22 miles). The Mourne Way (referred to below) follows this wall.

The Mourne Mountains offer a number of day and multi-day walks and there are several tour operators offering a variety of walking trips.

The most well-known multi-day walk in the Mourne Mountains is the Mourne Way, a 42 kilometre trail through the foothills of the Mournes from Newcastle on the Irish Sea to Rostrevor on Carlingford Lough. The walk has been designed to provide wonderful mountain and coastal views while sticking to the foothills.

There are other day and multi-day walks in the Mourne Mountains and the walking tour operators have developed walking itineraries suited for all. We can help you choose a walk and an operator that best suits your needs.

The Mourne Way is just one of the walks in the Mourne Mountains we can tell you about, and help you to plan and complete.