Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the Blue Quarry (Ott) car park on the Slievenaman Road, take the Ott Track south-east towards Ott Mountain, then a path north-east up to the Mourne Wall near Slieve Loughshannagh. Follow the wall over Loughshannagh and Slieve Meelbeg, down to the col and up the last climb to the stone shelter on Slieve Meelmore. From the top a path leads north-west down the hillside to the Lower Trassey Track, which runs west to Fofanny Dam, where the Slievenaman Road leads south back to the car park. The loop goes anticlockwise.
It is 8.2 km round with 622 m of ascent; allow about 4½ hours. The grade is Moderate: a long steady climb on a track and paths to the wall, a ridge beside the wall with steep, rough climbs to Meelbeg and Meelmore, and a descent over rough hillside; about 1.4 km at the end is on the public road.
The Mourne Heritage Trust says that with the wall as a handrail on the higher ground navigation is straightforward, but a compass is needed in bad weather for the descent off Meelmore. The ridge is exposed and often in cloud, so carry a map (OS Sheet 29) and do not go on in poor visibility.
The Blue Quarry (Ott) car park is tagged free in OpenStreetMap and holds 13 cars, and the Trust's page lists a car park and picnic facilities at Ott.
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 Mourne Heritage Trust describes a moderate circuit of the High Mournes that climbs to the Mourne Wall and follows it over Slieve Loughshannagh, Slieve Meelbeg and Slieve Meelmore.
- The Trust's route comes down by the river, joins the Ulster Way past Fofanny Dam and returns along the Slievenaman Road.
- OpenStreetMap, from Mountain Views data, gives Slieve Meelbeg as 702 m, Slieve Loughshannagh as 617 m and Slieve Meelmore as 687 m (survey point 681 m).
- The Trust says that with the Mourne Wall as a handrail on the higher parts navigation is straightforward, but a compass is needed in bad weather for the descent off Slieve Meelmore.
Summits on the way
- Slieve Loughshannagh 617 m
- Slieve Meelbeg 702 m
- Slieve Meelmore 687 m
Getting there
Start: Blue Quarry (Ott) car park, Slievenaman Road · Free parking. 54.18377, -6.04012
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Blue Quarry (Ott) car park: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
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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.