Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the car park at Bloody Bridge, on the A2 about 2 miles south of Newcastle, the path climbs west up the valley beside the Bloody Bridge River to the Mourne Wall. There it turns north along the wall for the last climb to the summit of Slieve Donard at about 850 m. The way back is the same path.
It is 9.6 km out and back with 858 m of ascent; allow about 5¾ hours. The grade is Hard: this is a mountain walk, almost entirely on paths, with about 850 m of climbing, steps and rocky ground, and a long exposed ridge at the top with no shelter. Cloud and wind come quickly on the high Mournes: carry a map and compass, extra layers and plenty of water, and turn back in mist or strong wind. Allow a full day.
Most of the Mournes below about 180 m is private farmland and the paths cross it by the goodwill of the landowners: most popular Mourne routes are not formally public rights of way. Keep to the path, leave gates as you find them, keep dogs on leads near livestock and nesting birds, and take litter home.
The National Trust names Bloody Bridge as the parking for the Mourne Coastal Path, 2 miles south of Newcastle; it gives no charge.
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
- At about 850 m Slieve Donard is the highest mountain in Northern Ireland and in all of Ulster.
- The path climbs inland from the A2 up the valley of the Bloody Bridge River, then runs west to the Mourne Wall before the last climb to the top.
- The Mourne Wall, built between 1904 and 1922 round the Silent Valley catchment, crosses Donard's summit ridge.
Summits on the way
- Slieve Donard 850 m
Getting there
Start: Bloody Bridge car park, A2 south of Newcastle. 54.17423, -5.87387
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Bloody Bridge 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.
