Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the car park in Kilbroney Park, the Cloughmore Trail climbs the forest paths and tracks up the hillside above Rostrevor to the Cloughmore Stone, known locally as the Big Stone, a boulder of granite left on the slope by the ice with Carlingford Lough below. The trail, also known as the Cloughmore Trail via Fiddler's Green, then loops east before dropping back through the forest to the park.
It is 4.2 km round with 268 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy: forest paths and tracks with a little road, and a steep climb of about 240 m to the stone. The published length is 4.0 to 4.2 km.
Kilbroney is a worked forest, so paths may be diverted or closed from time to time: follow the waymarkers and any signs.
The council charges for vehicles at Kilbroney Park, one of its four main parks, at the manned car park office (9am to 5pm daily); there is no charge to enter on foot or by bicycle.
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 Cloughmore Stone, known locally as the Big Stone, is a granite boulder left on the mountainside by the ice, high above Carlingford Lough.
- Kilbroney Park is run by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
- The forest is worked, so paths may be diverted or closed from time to time.
Getting there
Start: Kilbroney Park car park, Rostrevor · Pay and display. 54.09763, -6.18772
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Kilbroney Park 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.