Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From Carrick Little car park, a track heads north towards the mountains and a stile takes the path across the Mourne Wall. The path then follows the valley of the Annalong River up past the edge of Annalong Wood to the Blue Lough, a small lake in a hollow under Slieve Lamagan and Slieve Binnian. The way back is the same path.
It is 8.0 km out and back with 193 m of ascent; allow about 2½ hours. The grade is Easy: a path with a gentle climb throughout, wet in places, and some lane near the start. Mist makes the upper valley hard to navigate: carry a map.
There is no public right of way: walkers cross private grazing land by the landowners' goodwill. Keep to the path, leave gates as you find them and keep dogs on leads.
The main Carrick Little car park is free and holds about a dozen cars; when it is full, private car parks up the lane and on Oldtown Road charge about £3 a day. The Mourne Rambler bus stops at Carrick Little in July and August only.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- The Blue Lough lies in a hollow below Slieve Lamagan and Slieve Binnian.
- The path crosses the Mourne Wall, built between 1904 and 1922 round the Silent Valley catchment, by a stile near the start.
- The Mourne Rambler bus serves Carrick Little only in July and August.
Getting there
Start: Carrick Little car park, near Annalong · Free parking. 54.12879, -5.94335
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Carrick Little car park: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.