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[velvetmonkey]

Hi there to all,

Just wanted to say hello from a new member to the forum.

After a few years of inactivity (and laziness!) this year my wife and I have decided to get more "outdoorsy".
Since then we have hiked several times in the Mournes as well as doing a fair bit of canoeing.
We have both been an a bushcraft course which we thoroughly enjoyed - to that end we would like to camp out in the Mournes before ther weather gets too cold and wet.
Do you have any suggestions on where we could camp?
Ideally it would be part of a hike from A to B, but for our first foray into the Mournes, I would prefer something relatively easy to get to (fitness is not what it should be).
Somewhere away from the midges would also be great!!

Any thoughts any of you may have would be greatly appreciated

[LandyLiam]

Stick to the high summits to avoid the midges  north tor of slieve bearnagh is my favourite camping spot so far.

[RedLeader]

Welcome!

Easy to get to is a bit subjective. Generally anywhere you go in the Mournes will have a bit of ascent, depends on how much you think is too much. Donard Wood is a great start. It's not too far but does have a bit of an ascent. The only spot I can think of that wouldn't include much ascent would be around the Trassey on the way to Hares Gap. There are some flatish places around there that we've seen tents. Hares Gap its-self is another good spot. You could hit the Trassey and if you were feeling energetic then plough on to Hares Gap and if not then just camp by the river. If you did make it to Hares Gap then for a 2nd days walking you're on the edge of the Brandy Pad and can basically go anywhere.

As ever, I'd recommend lightening the load over walking less. I always figure a lighter pack makes a longer distance easier for us unfit types!

[velvetmonkey]

Thanks for the replies....

I've been up the Trassey - turned right off the track and scrambled up the right hand side of Meelmore. For my inexperience, it was steep enough.
Got as far as the quarry just to the right of Hare's Gap.
Lunched there only to be eaten alive by midges.
Later that night thought I caught measles I was so bitten.
Suffice to say the next purchase was some insect repellant!

Some of the tors and summits intimidate me a bit, is there a "simpler" way of getting up them rather than a frontal assault?
 

[Dollywaggon]

Thanks for the replies....

I've been up the Trassey - turned right off the track and scrambled up the right hand side of Meelmore. For my inexperience, it was steep enough.
Got as far as the quarry just to the right of Hare's Gap.
Lunched there only to be eaten alive by midges.
Later that night thought I caught measles I was so bitten.
Suffice to say the next purchase was some insect repellant!

Some of the tors and summits intimidate me a bit, is there a "simpler" way of getting up them rather than a frontal assault?
 

Stick to the high summits to avoid the midges  north tor of slieve bearnagh is my favourite camping spot so far.

Hi there to all,

Just wanted to say hello from a new member to the forum.

After a few years of inactivity (and laziness!) this year my wife and I have decided to get more "outdoorsy".
Since then we have hiked several times in the Mournes as well as doing a fair bit of canoeing.
We have both been an a bushcraft course which we thoroughly enjoyed - to that end we would like to camp out in the Mournes before ther weather gets too cold and wet.
Do you have any suggestions on where we could camp?
Ideally it would be part of a hike from A to B, but for our first foray into the Mournes, I would prefer something relatively easy to get to (fitness is not what it should be).
Somewhere away from the midges would also be great!!

Any thoughts any of you may have would be greatly appreciated



Stick to the summits if you want to cook as well .  Smash & Smidges !!!! A required taste.  Bernagh from Hare's gap is probably the easiest apart from a helicopter  !!!!!

[Dollywaggon]

Welcome!

Easy to get to is a bit subjective. Generally anywhere you go in the Mournes will have a bit of ascent, depends on how much you think is too much. Donard Wood is a great start. It's not too far but does have a bit of an ascent. The only spot I can think of that wouldn't include much ascent would be around the Trassey on the way to Hares Gap. There are some flatish places around there that we've seen tents. Hares Gap its-self is another good spot. You could hit the Trassey and if you were feeling energetic then plough on to Hares Gap and if not then just camp by the river. If you did make it to Hares Gap then for a 2nd days walking you're on the edge of the Brandy Pad and can basically go anywhere.

As ever, I'd recommend lightening the load over walking less. I always figure a lighter pack makes a longer distance easier for us unfit types!

Get the bus to Ben Crom Res. and walk to the tent "site" at the junction with the Kilkeel river; level walk and all the midges you can eat !!!! (Last occupant left a lot of rubbish ; the same at Hare's gap ----mid-July )

[velvetmonkey]

Welcome!

Easy to get to is a bit subjective. Generally anywhere you go in the Mournes will have a bit of ascent, depends on how much you think is too much. Donard Wood is a great start. It's not too far but does have a bit of an ascent. The only spot I can think of that wouldn't include much ascent would be around the Trassey on the way to Hares Gap. There are some flatish places around there that we've seen tents. Hares Gap its-self is another good spot. You could hit the Trassey and if you were feeling energetic then plough on to Hares Gap and if not then just camp by the river. If you did make it to Hares Gap then for a 2nd days walking you're on the edge of the Brandy Pad and can basically go anywhere.

As ever, I'd recommend lightening the load over walking less. I always figure a lighter pack makes a longer distance easier for us unfit types!

Get the bus to Ben Crom Res. and walk to the tent "site" at the junction with the Kilkeel river; level walk and all the midges you can eat !!!! (Last occupant left a lot of rubbish ; the same at Hare's gap ----mid-July )

No camping at the weekend, but did manage to walk up Binnian from the Carrick Little track, went down to Ben Crom and then back by the Blue Lough and along Annalong Wood.
Don't mind saying - I can't walk today

[velvetmonkey]

Thats a good dander I found the last bit on the way back seemed to take forever

Yeah, was told that the short sharp ascent was preferable to the long slow climb of approaching from the opposite side. Having done this, I could not have managed the ascent from the north end - too many false summits.
I'd recommend approaching from the south end.

When I was coming back down noticed a tent just at the edge of Annalong wood, and right beside the stream.
Looked like a cool place to camp.
Has anyone tried it?
Anyone

[RedLeader]

Annalong Wood is a great spot. There were some significant fires there this year so I'm not sure what state it's in. You can camp in the forest (up the Annalong Valley towards the end of the forest coming from Carrick Little Car Park) or at the edge of the forest. Lots of decent waking to be done around there too. Only problems is Carrick Little Car Park isn't a great place to leave a car overnight.

Thats a good dander I found the last bit on the way back seemed to take forever

Yeah, was told that the short sharp ascent was preferable to the long slow climb of approaching from the opposite side. Having done this, I could not have managed the ascent from the north end - too many false summits.
I'd recommend approaching from the south end.

When I was coming back down noticed a tent just at the edge of Annalong wood, and right beside the stream.
Looked like a cool place to camp.
Has anyone tried it?
Anyone

[kiltedrunner]

a +1 for Annalong. Not sure I'm talking about the same place as redleader but if you go to newcastle and follow the coast round you'll get to 'halfway house' a pub on the way to kilkeel. The turn to the right is a road called mill road, its about a mile and a half long and if you turn right at the top theres a small car park with a red gate about 50 yards on your left. Its the water peoples access route to all their stuff up there. The car gate is always closed but the pedestrian gate is great for easy (if a bit long) access to somewhere awesome to camp, plus a  lot of wee mountains to have a go at when your there. spent a lot of time up there, its hugely relaxing! Havent parked myself but it seems like a  good wee area out of the way.

Welcome and enjoy!

Pete

[Paul72]

theres a small car park with a red gate about 50 yards on your left. Its the water peoples access route to all their stuff up there. The car gate is always closed but the pedestrian gate is great for easy (if a bit long) access to somewhere awesome to camp, plus a  lot of wee mountains to have a go at when your there.

You've raised an interesting point here, I've only walked that route once when leaving Annalong Wood so is it okay for public access as long as you're walking?  I kinda felt when I was on the path that for some reason I shouldn't be there!

[LandyLiam]

thats a popular walking route, good for families with young kids with bikes or buggies to get into the mournes, there is a private house (maybe water service own it) which is currently for sale, new ni-wild HQ

[whoRya]

thats a popular walking route, good for families with young kids with bikes or buggies to get into the mournes, there is a private house (maybe water service own it) which is currently for sale, new ni-wild HQ

That will explain the blue recycling bin then.

[kiltedrunner]

I'm def up for sticking a deposit down :p. Or at  least squatting for a while! Yeah Ive seen loads of people down that road, surprised it isnt a main starting points for hikes. The mourne wall follows the mountains opposite the lake (rocky and chimney rock)  so im sure theres a good route in there somewhere. Annalong, follow the wall up Donard then back down to Newcastle for a maudes and coffee :p

[Rugged Track]

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