Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From Mount Crescent car park in Downpatrick, walk down to the Mound of Down, the ringfort beside the river, and take the riverside path north to Jane's Shore and the Old Belfast Road. Cross the Quoile at the bridge and follow the paths and lanes along the eastern shore of the Quoile Pondage, by the Old Ship and Quoile Castle, to the Quoile Countryside Centre. Return the same way.
It is 8.4 km there and back with 17 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy: a level path, with a short steep start down to the river and a little road.
Visit Mourne, Gullion and Strangford describes the council's Quoile River Walk, 5.5 miles from Down County Museum, as having off-road and road sections and several kissing gates, and tells walkers to cross the Belfast Road with extreme care near the St Patrick sculpture. The Quoile Countryside Centre has toilets and interpretation with opening hours that apply, and a free car park, so the walk can be shortened by starting there.
Mount Crescent car park is tagged free in OpenStreetMap with a 12-hour limit. There are toilets and cafés in Downpatrick.
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 council's Quoile River Walk is 5.5 miles from Down County Museum, with off-road and road sections and several kissing gates (Visit Mourne, Gullion and Strangford).
- The Mound of Down, also called Rathkeltair, is a ringfort in state care (OpenStreetMap).
- The Quoile Countryside Centre has toilets and interpretation, with opening hours that apply, and a free car park (Visit Mourne, Gullion and Strangford).
- The walk starts with a steep section down to the river and then follows a level path (Visit Mourne, Gullion and Strangford).
Getting there
Start: Mount Crescent car park, Downpatrick · Free parking. 54.32967, -5.71905
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Mount Crescent 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.
