Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From Donard Park car park, follow the Glen River path to Donard Bridge and take the forest road and Granite Trail south-east up through Donard Wood. The trail swings south-west to the old granite workings at Drinneevar on the open hillside, then turns west and comes back down through the wood beside the Glen River to Donard Bridge and the car park. The loop goes clockwise.
It is 5 km round with 258 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Moderate: forest roads and stony paths with steady climbs, and a narrow path on the open hillside. walkni describes its version of the trail as strenuous.
walkni warns that the trail includes quarries with loose spoil, old workings and unprotected drops, that the path on the open mountainside is very narrow and not waymarked, and that dogs must be kept on leads. Keep to the trail and keep children close near the quarries.
Donard car park is free, with a 12-hour limit (the council's list of non-charged car parks). walkni lists a wide range of eateries in Newcastle.
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
- OpenStreetMap records the Granite Trail as a National Trust circular walk from Donard Car Park, with dogs on leads.
- walkni's page for the Granite Trail says Drinneevar Quarry still shows remnants of the granite industry, and that the Bogie Line is a cleared forest strip on a steep incline up towards Millstone Quarry.
- walkni warns that the trail includes quarries with loose spoil, old workings and unprotected drops, and that the path on the open mountainside is very narrow and not waymarked.
- Millstone Mountain, 460 m, stands above the trail (OpenStreetMap).
Getting there
Start: Newcastle, Donard Park car park · Free parking. 54.20556, -5.89460
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Newcastle: 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.
