Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: RedLeader on January 14, 2013

Title: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: RedLeader on January 14, 2013
On Sat (19th Jan 13) we're going to have a bit of a day walk to Pierce's Castle. It's a side of the Mournes I've never really been to so it seems prime for a bit of a wander.

As I'm not familiar with the area I'm open to suggestions but starting J2239925682 seems to be best. Everyone's welcome, it should be fairly child friendly as it should be mostly paths. Seems like a good excuse to test any kit you got for Xmas :)
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: Glenn B on January 14, 2013
Ahh darn that date I've a 50th birthday party to attend would have been up for this with the son. Nice to see a wee child friendly hike organised.
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: LennyJ1 on January 14, 2013
If I was not going to Dublin on sunday I would of came, sorry :'(
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: whoRya on January 14, 2013
Enjoy the walk, I was over there for the first time before Christmas.  Visibility was a bit intermittent but I was up on Pierce's Castle and it is a cracker spot.  There is lots of scope for variation to the route if someone wants to go bag Rocky Mountain, Tournamrock, Altataggart etc.
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: Rumblebum on January 14, 2013
Enjoy the walk, I was over there for the first time before Christmas.  Visibility was a bit intermittent but I was up on Pierce's Castle and it is a cracker spot.  There is lots of scope for variation to the route if someone wants to go bag Rocky Mountain, Tournamrock, Altataggart etc.
Stop making up hills!! ;D
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: whoRya on January 14, 2013
Next you'll be telling me you haven't heard of Slieve Big'un!
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: LandyLiam on January 14, 2013
don't forget to pack your sledges, just in case  ;)
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: Ed on January 14, 2013
Next you'll be telling me you haven't heard of Slieve Big'un!

Its one of my favourites but not quite as steep as SlieveWileBaste
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: NorthernSky on January 14, 2013
On Sat (19th Jan 13) we're going to have a bit of a day walk to Pierce's Castle. It's a side of the Mournes I've never really been to so it seems prime for a bit of a wander.

As I'm not familiar with the area I'm open to suggestions but starting J2239925682 seems to be best. Everyone's welcome, it should be fairly child friendly as it should be mostly paths. Seems like a good excuse to test any kit you got for Xmas :)

hi
where can i check where that references, or which end of the mournes is it?
start/end times?  :)
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: Mourneman on January 14, 2013
On Sat (19th Jan 13) we're going to have a bit of a day walk to Pierce's Castle. It's a side of the Mournes I've never really been to so it seems prime for a bit of a wander.

As I'm not familiar with the area I'm open to suggestions but starting J2239925682 seems to be best. Everyone's welcome, it should be fairly child friendly as it should be mostly paths. Seems like a good excuse to test any kit you got for Xmas :)

hi
where can i check where that references, or which end of the mournes is it?
start/end times?  :)

Letrim lodge carpark  :)
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: RedLeader on January 15, 2013
I'm guessing it's Leitrim Lodge car park but I've not been there before. Leaving late morning, mid day-ish, not sure of an exact time yet.

On Sat (19th Jan 13) we're going to have a bit of a day walk to Pierce's Castle. It's a side of the Mournes I've never really been to so it seems prime for a bit of a wander.

As I'm not familiar with the area I'm open to suggestions but starting J2239925682 seems to be best. Everyone's welcome, it should be fairly child friendly as it should be mostly paths. Seems like a good excuse to test any kit you got for Xmas :)

hi
where can i check where that references, or which end of the mournes is it?
start/end times?  :)
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: greensprite on January 15, 2013
Hello I just wondered if it would be manageable for a 3 year old.  Would the terrain be suitable for a buggy just in case?
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: RedLeader on January 15, 2013
I've never been before so I can't be sure. From the map it looks like it has a good path and my parents said they've had a buggy up it but by my calculations it seems pretty steep with 273m ascent.

(http://i.imgur.com/cStrs.jpg)

Hello I just wondered if it would be manageable for a 3 year old.  Would the terrain be suitable for a buggy just in case?
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: LandyLiam on January 15, 2013
Quote
Hello I just wondered if it would be manageable for a 3 year old.  Would the terrain be suitable for a buggy just in case?

been a while since i walked up there but from memory you've no chance with a buggy  :(

Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: Mourneman on January 15, 2013
The Letrim lodge trek is quite eroded with large cracks right across the track,the ascent up to pierces castle is easy,prams not so sure ???
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: LandyLiam on January 17, 2013
Well it looks like its going to be very wet or very white on saturday morning, if the snow hits it would be a lovely afternoon walk (windy though) but it may be difficult to get to that part of the mournes. Is there a plan B route?
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: RedLeader on January 17, 2013
Hadn't really thought about it. You coming out to play?

Well it looks like its going to be very wet or very white on saturday morning, if the snow hits it would be a lovely afternoon walk (windy though) but it may be difficult to get to that part of the mournes. Is there a plan B route?
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: LandyLiam on January 17, 2013
I know if i say yes something else will come up, so put me down as a maybe.
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: RedLeader on January 19, 2013
I think we're going to knock this on the head. Conditions do not seem favorable and we're having a few car issues.
Title: Re: Day Hike : Pierces Castle
Post by: LandyLiam on January 19, 2013
i knew it, i had the word yes in my post so i ended up spending the day trying to fix a broken boiler and getting nowhere so couldn't have made it out anyway  >:(