Best Of The North East mournes
A 13 mile route with around 1300m of elevation and takes in some of the best parts of the Eastern Mournes
Start Location: Donard Park, Newcastle, Northern Ireland
Difficulty: Medium - Hard
Length: 13-15miles (depending on route choices along the way)
Starting off in Newcastle this route climbs into Donard forest before crossing over to Tollymore. If the ground is wet, there’s an optional alternative route through a housing estate from Donard Wood (see if you can find it). Once in Tollymore choose your route to the other side, there are a lot of options, my route takes the most direct path but misses some of the best parts of the forest.
Exit Tollymore on the western side and join the Trassey track into the mountains. Follow the track to Hares Gap OR take the bypass after the ford for nicer views but muddier feet.
Climb up from Slievenaglogh to the summit of Slieve Commedagh. Keep an eye out for Paddy’s Pipe, a delicious freshwater spring on the way up (it’s on Google maps).
From Commedagh follow the wall down to the saddle, down the steps and back to Newcastle via the Glen River Path for a well earned shop at the chippy (Gravy Chip Reccomended)
