{"id":25115,"date":"2023-03-30T07:13:48","date_gmt":"2023-03-30T05:13:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=141695"},"modified":"2023-03-30T07:35:58","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T05:35:58","slug":"walk-slieve-donard-county-down","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/walk-slieve-donard-county-down\/","title":{"rendered":"Walk: Slieve Donard, County Down\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

This out-and-back and back route climbs through woodland, beside streams and over stone slabs to the summit of Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland’s highest point <\/p>

By Helen Fairbairn\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 30 March 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

At 850m, the summit of Slieve Donard is the highest point in Northern Ireland. It is also a supreme viewpoint on a clear day, with the Isle of Man, Wales and Scotland all visible on the skyline.<\/p>\n

Much of its charm stems from its location; the Irish Sea hugs the mountain\u2019s eastern base, while the charismatic peaks of the Mourne Mountains lie clustered to the west. No wonder it\u2019s a magnet for hikers, and the classic hill walk in the province.<\/p>\n

This route describes the most popular and straightforward approach to the summit: an out-and-back ascent via the Glen River Track.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a rough mountain path all the way, but don\u2019t underestimate the seriousness of the challenge. Bring full hillwalking gear, food and OSNI 1:50,000 map sheet 29.\nLooking for more routes to do in the area? Checking out our walking guides to Slieve Binnian<\/a>, Slieve Bearnagh<\/a> and Murlough National Nature Reserve<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The stunning Mourne Mountains and Slieve Donard, seen from Murlough National Nature Reserve\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Slieve Donard walk<\/h2>\n

5.8 miles\/9.3km | 4.5 hours | challenging | 827m ascent<\/em><\/p>\n

1. Donard Wood<\/h4>\n

Join a paved path in the southwest corner of the car park. Follow this past the grassy expanse of Donard Park, then plunge into the beautiful deciduous and pine trees of Donard Wood.<\/p>\n

The path climbs alongside the tumbling falls of Glen River. You pass several bridges along the way; cross the river at the first two bridges, then stay on the right bank at the third.<\/p>\n

\n

Northern Ireland walks<\/h4>\n

Northern Ireland\u2019s countryside is a walker\u2019s paradise. From the drama of the Causeway Coast and County Down\u2019s Mourne Mountains to the serenity of Glenariff Forest Park and Belfast Caslte, here are our pick of Northern Ireland\u2019s best walks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""A\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

2. Commedagh col<\/h4>\n

A gate and stile marks the upper boundary of Donard Wood. Beyond this you emerge onto open mountainside, with Slieve Donard rearing ahead to the left.<\/p>\n

Look out for a conspicuous stone beehive structure on the opposite bank of the stream. This building was used as an ice house by the Slieve Donard Hotel before the advent of refrigeration.<\/p>\n

The path is partially paved with stone slabs, which become steeper as you gain height.<\/p>\n

Climb for a further 2km to reach the col between Slieve Donard and Commedagh.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Path up to the col beneath Slieve Donard\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

3. Mourne Wall<\/h4>\n
The col is bisected by the Mourne Wall, a twenty-mile long granite structure that took 20 years to complete in the early 1900s.\nTurn left in front of the wall, and follow the path up the final slope to the summit. The ascent is steep and unrelenting, but ever-improving views reward your effort.<\/div>\n\n
\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
View from the col beneath Slieve Donard\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

4. Slieve Donard<\/h4>\n

The summit itself is marked by a tower and trig point, and a fabulous 360\u00b0 panorama of mountain and coast. The large stone cairn, and a smaller one about 100m north, have been here since early Christian times.<\/p>\n

Take time to appreciate the scenery, then reverse your outward journey back to the start.<\/p>\n

Slieve Donard map<\/h2>\n

Slieve Donard \u2013 OS Maps walking route<\/a><\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div><\/a><\/p>\n

Useful Information<\/h3>\n

Starting Point<\/h4>\n

The large parking area for Donard Park, at the southern end of Newcastle town (GPS: 54.205863, -5.894409).<\/p>\n

Terrain<\/h4>\n

Steep, rough mountain path with 850m vertical ascent.<\/p>\n

Map<\/h4>\n

OS Mournes Activity Map<\/p>\n

Eat and Drink<\/h4>\n

In the many fine pubs and restaurants located a short walk from Donard car park, in Newcastle town.<\/p>\n

Stay<\/h4>\n

The namesake Slieve Donard Hotel<\/a>, a luxurious Victorian pile overlooking the sea in Newcastle.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This out-and-back and back route climbs through woodland, beside streams and over stone slabs to the summit of Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland’s highest point <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":25116,"template":"","categories":[1,115],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"4"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/walk-slieve-donard-county-down-scaled.jpg",2560,1920,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/walk-slieve-donard-county-down-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/walk-slieve-donard-county-down-300x225.jpg",300,225,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/walk-slieve-donard-county-down-768x576.jpg",768,576,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/walk-slieve-donard-county-down-1024x768.jpg",800,600,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/walk-slieve-donard-county-down-1536x1152.jpg",1536,1152,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2023\/03\/walk-slieve-donard-county-down-2048x1536.jpg",2048,1536,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"This out-and-back and back route climbs through woodland, beside streams and over stone slabs to the summit of Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland's highest point","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/25115"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25115"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25115"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}