SLIEVE BEARNAGH County Down
The rugged granite landscape of the Mountains of Mourne will take your breath away
The Mountains of Mourne loom large behind the County Down resort town of Newcastle. The beaches and dunes here are superb for walking, but Newcastle’s jewel in the crown sits further inland; a fulfilling circuit of two of the Mournes’ most notable summits, Slieve Bearnagh (739m) and Slieve Meelmore (682m).
Hanging over the beautiful Happy Valley, Slieve Meelmore – Irish for ‘big bare mountain’ – lives up to its name. It’s a naked, whale-backed wonder of a peak, offering remarkable views right across Ulster to the distant Sperrin Mountains, way beyond the glistening inland waters of Lough Neagh. Its neighbouring summit Slieve Bearnagh (‘gapped mountain’) is arguably more spectacular still – truly one of Ireland’s natural wonders.
RESPECT THE RIDGE
This 11.3km (seven-mile) route may not be the most demanding, technically, but with steady climbs, steep pitches, scrambles and ridges, it’s a hard day’s walking. And one that should not be taken lightly; all mountains demand respect.
1. THE MOURNE WAY
Starting at the car park at Trassey, the waymarked Mourne Way (and Ulster Way) heads south, clipping through woodlands before turning south-west along a boundary wall.
2. THE MOURNE WALL
In just over 1.6km (one mile), meet the path rising from Happy Valley
“CS LEWIS IS SAID TO HAVE BASED NARNIA ON THE MIGHTY MOURNES”
and head left uphill. A steady climb takes you to the deep col between Slieve Meelbeg and Slieve Meelmore. This airy gap is crossed by a most unlikely feature, Mourne Wall, built 100 years ago, partly as a job-creation task to employ local craftsmen. The dry-stone boundary undulates across the peaks and vales of these lonely mountains, marking the watershed that fills the secluded reservoirs below. The Wall is now a constant companion and guide.
3. SLIEVE MEELMORE
Turn left alongside the wall on a well-formed path that curves north to the squat observation tower on Slieve Meelmore.
4. SLIEVE BEARNAGH
Turn right on the wall-side path to Slieve Bearnagh. The twin tops rise as astonishing granite tors and bluffs, parts of a huge, eroded volcanic dome. Belfast-born CS Lewis is said to have based Narnia on the mighty Mournes, and it’s easy to see why.
5. HARE’S GAP
Stick with the wall, dropping steeply down steps to Hare’s Gap. Turn left and return to the car park on the Trassey Track.