Blog (Adventure) - Visit Mourne Mountains

Get ready for a season of adventure, discovery, and family fun in Mourne Gullion Strangford.  The brand new Visitor Experience Activation Programme has just been launched and it brings the natural beauty, folklore, and vibrant culture of the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark to life.

Love all things animal and are searching for unforgettable family-friendly days out in Northern Ireland?  We have you covered.  Mourne Gullion Strangford is packed with hands-on experiences and pet-tastic adventures for all ages. Enjoy some four-legged fun and “pawesome” visitor attractions throughout Mourne, Strangford and Gullion.

It's that time of the year when it’s good to get out, get some fresh air around you and explore the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion and all its natural beauty. Whether you want to visit a forest park, hike a mountain or do an activity, our region is abundant in outdoor happenings.  There is plenty to see and do and lots for you to participate in to ensure a memorable experience.

From towering trees to mystical trails, the Mourne Gullion Strangford region is home to some of Northern Ireland’s most enchanting forest walks. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful escape, a family day out, or a scenic adventure, these five forest parks offer something for everyone. Lace up your boots and discover the magic of our woodlands!

There’s nothing quite like a springtime ramble through Castlewellan Forest Park, especially when you’ve got a curious border collie like Finn leading the way, nose to the ground and tail in the air. We set out on a bright morning, keen to stretch our legs and take in some of the fresh Mourne Mountain air – and Castlewellan didn’t disappoint.

Are you planning some day trips for this half term? Great, we have you sorted!  Plan your visit to Mourne Mountains and the Ring of Gullion.

We are home to striking landscapes and lots of fun activities to keep you entertained. Here are some of the things you can get up to during your visit.  

Mountain biking is an incredibly fun sport, but it can also be a daunting one to get into. The assumptions people make about it can be off-putting, and even knowing where to go can be a challenge. In this blog, we aim to lay out the simple things you can do to get into mountain biking.

There is something enchanting about nature in the winter landscape, if you’re lucky enough get some snow, then appreciate the ultimate beauty of the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark in the cold season, admiring glistening snow-covered trees and mountain tops whilst enjoying the crunch of snow beneath your boots.

Watch out for all sorts of spirits, ghosts and creatures that are said to roam Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion at the most spine-tingling time of the year. Mischievous goblins, wizards and witches are some of the shadowy figures that are believed to break through from the otherworld to torment the people in Mourne Gullion Strangford at Halloween.

The White Witch has put a curse on the land. It is always winter and never Christmas in Narnia – be aware, she has the power to turn you into stone.  Don’t eat any “enchanted” Turkish Delight!

Take a journey back in time and follow in the footsteps of the legendary Fionn Mac Cumhaill (or Finn McCool) of the Fianna warriors where Fionn walked up the slopes of Slieve Gullion to the lake near the summit to find a beautiful young lady sobbing on the water’s edge. 

Enjoy outdoor fun solving murder mysteries in fascinating and beautiful locations. Be Sherlock Holmes for a day!