Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Hiking, Walking, Running, Orienteering and Geocaching => Topic started by: RedLeader on June 01, 2009

Title: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: RedLeader on June 01, 2009
I'd like to get some more time in the Mournes but I like to stick more to recognised trails as opposed to off piste. Has anyone any good recommendations for easy or moderate walks?
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: 666_pack on June 03, 2009
Slieve Beg And The Devils Coachroad.

 (http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/4136572.jpg)

                                                                                                                                                                  To get a true sense of the diversity on offer in the Mournes here is a great days walk.Starting at Carrick little car park follow the trail at the far right hand side of car park until you reach the style. In front off you you’ll see a photo of the view ahead, Slieve Binnian to your left and Annalong wood to your right. Follow the right hand trail which runs parallel with the wood until you get to the end; now follow the trail to the right this will offer a spectacular view of the Annalong valley, Slieve Donard, Commedagh and the Brandy pad. But its Slieve Beg that were after for it is here that you’ll find the Devils coach road.

            One of the best and most impressive of the Mourne crags, Slieve Beg lies in a commanding position at the head of the Annalong Valley. The most obvious feature is the huge central gully - the Devil's Coach Road. To the left is the Main Face, south-east facing and characterised by a series of corners, and to the left again are two large south-facing areas separated by a steep grassy section, with the far left edge being Satan's Buttress. To the right of the Devil's Coach Road are more broken crags.
   
             On a good day the trail to the Slieve Beg will take approx 1 hour maybe longer depending on fitness as you walk you’ll pass Lamagn, and the lower slopes of Cove but soon that Crag looms on the horizon. Once you stand toe to toe with a few hundred meters of near vertical scree it seems like an impossible task but with a little patience and a few hairy moments you think it’s all over but when the scree clears there is a great little scramble to the finish.
   
          To make your way down follow the trail to the summit of Cove and from here you have the option to either follow head back down of Cove to the trail and back to Annalong or head on to the summit of Lamagan

   If you do want to take on the Devils Coach Road a few word of caution.
Firstly, don’t try this alone as MG1 can confirm he had to pull me out off a few holes and secondly this scramble can be treacherous when wet so take due care.


 (http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/6584002.jpg)

        



   Hope you enjoy. ;D

   Happy Trails


(Not My Photos)
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: 666_pack on June 04, 2009
Slieve Donard

(http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/4266361.jpg)







Here is a brief outline of the traditional route up Northern Irelands highest peak
(http://www.sacredsteps.co.uk/don1.jpg)
Starting at Donard park Follow the trail up parallel with the Glen River as it cascades down through the wood, don’t spend too much time watching where you walk or you’ll miss a really magical place as you make your way up you will cross a few bridges the last of which will open up a view of the journey ahead.

(http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/4680635.jpg)

Cross the style and on you right will be the Ice house(seen in the bottom right) and ahead the Glen river valley. From here it a straight forward yomp until the trail cross the river. This next section will test your thigh muscles as you head up the “stairs” to meet the Mourne Wall and the saddle between Donard and Commedagh a good spot the recharge, rehydrate and review your hobby choices(why do I do this to myself). Once mental prepared it a case of one foot in front of the other along the Mourne Wall to the summit and yes it is as steep as it looks.
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_WQ28wQ4VgHY/R5R0PUfnxbI/AAAAAAAADBc/HIpMgj1ElZ8/s576/08%2001%2019%20002.jpg)
On a clear day you can see the Isle of Mann they say on a bad day you could be on the moon but it’s always worth the effort.
(http://www.sixgolds.com/stmsaddl.gif)
Please take all the usual precautions for any day on the hill.

Happy trails
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: RedLeader on June 05, 2009
This is excellent - I'll sticky it.

Just one thing - on the way up from Carrick Little Car Park is Binnian not on the left and Annalong Wood on the right or have I become confused (again. it happens alot :D)
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: 666_pack on June 05, 2009
well spotted I'll change it.
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: 666_pack on June 05, 2009
I'll get a few more up today, possible Bernagh and a full brandy pad thru hike.
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: MG1 on June 05, 2009
The Devils Coach road is well worth it. Its one one the best trips in the Mournes but don't try it alone or in wet weather it will become very dangerous. Any one interested in free climbing its also good there a few gullies that are doable. Donard is also good the walk to the ice house is great but the trail from there to the saddle is soul destroying especially on the way back down. Donard has to be done cause its the highest but other than that its pretty boring.

MG1
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: Hound of Ulster on July 03, 2009
What about Binnian itself.

Great climb fantastic views especially the reservoir below ant the Tors remind me of Easter Island and the faces carved in rock, don't ask me why, it just does.
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: MG1 on July 03, 2009
Binnian is great but i've only done it bad weather so haven't seen the views.Also have only done it from Carricklittle would love to try coming up the other side. You could spend a lot of time exploring and climbing those tors ;D
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: 666_pack on July 03, 2009
been up there twice with MG1 both times weather was against us so I can't comment on the view(all I've ever seen form binnian is clouds >:()
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: Hound of Ulster on August 07, 2009
Slieve Donard and Commedagh seem like a good choice this weekend since you'll be well up the route anyway for the forum meet.

Can even walk round and climb Bernagh if you want as well ;D

Hound
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: Kirth on January 25, 2010
I'll get a few more up today, possible Bernagh and a full brandy pad thru hike.

Would you have a route of the Brandy Pad?  Wouldn't mind seeing it.
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: Craigy123 on October 25, 2011
Check out my every trail account. Got a few routes recorded on it. Look for craziasylum.
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: Mourneman on October 25, 2011
Of all the treks i've done in the Mourne's one stand out more than any other,Carricklittle -Donard carkpark.From Carricklittle you follow the wall to Binnians summit then down pass Buzzard's roost to the col,then up Lamagan,Cove,Beg,up through the castles onto Commedagh down Shan slieve & into donard wood,then down to the carpark.Ps that caving sounds nice,you on fb?
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: Daithi2004 on October 25, 2011
The best one i can think of is Starting at Trassey Car Park, walk up the Trassey track to The Hare's Gap and up onto Bearnagh. Then come back down the same way.

You could, if you are up to it, go on to Slieve Mealmore and Mealbeg, then down the shoulder of the last Meelbeg. You will come to the Ulster Way and walk back to Trassey Car Park.
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: zootnanook on April 09, 2012
What would you all recommend for a first timer going up Slieve Donard, leaving from Donard Park carpark or leaving from the Bloody Bridge route? :-\
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: Mourneman on April 09, 2012
Firstly do you intend to walk alone or with company,remember to bring a coat,wear boots for ankle support  bring yourself food & water .the main route is pretty easy,but the saddle is tough enough.more over check the weather ,take your time & enjoy your day
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: LandyLiam on April 09, 2012
I've always wondered which is easier, the route from Donard park would be more sheltered on a windy day.

Here's a couple of useful links

http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=344  Glen River route

http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=464  Bloody Bridge route
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: suspectmonkey on April 10, 2012
Currently there are trail repairs be carried out on the Glen River trail from the Ice House onwards.  Bit of a temporary eyesore, but I walked the new path a couple of weeks ago and was impressed!

The section above the Ice House has always been badly eroded and involved a bit of tumbling around over boulders (unless you are Liam, then you just skip over them ;)).  The new trail is much better.  They've cleared many of the rocks and blocked off the badly eroded impromptu trails that had sprung up.  Best of all the trails are hard packed earth rather than the granite 'crazy paving' you see further up that I'm definitely not a fan of!

Anyway, so far so good with the new trail repairs.  If you don't mind the minor disruption of the work carried out, or the associated equipment, its worth checking out!
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: BrianT on April 10, 2012
I would agree with your obsevations on the path above the Ice House.It seems to be turning out a lot less intrusive than most of the past attemp ;)ts-it looks like they are learning as they go along. ;)
Title: Re: Recommended Mournes Trails
Post by: zootnanook on April 11, 2012
Had a really great day today, decided on the Bloody Bridge route after reading all the replies and checking out all the links. Everyone seems so friendly and always ready to help with advice and hints on the way up. Fantastic sence of achievement when you get to the top, can't wait to do it again !