Walking Trails

Discover Visit Mourne’s scenery, culture and history across mountain, forest and coastal terrains. Whether you’re a seasoned mountaineer or a low-key rambler, you’ll be spoiled for choice by Visit Mourne’s walking trails. 

Discover the History of St. Patrick in County Down 

No-one has had a greater impact on the local area than St. Patrick. On the St. Patrick’s trail, you’ll take in County Down’s diverse natural beauty, and discover why Ireland’s most famous son still has an impact to this day. 

Check out Down County Museum and Newry and Mourne Museum at Bagenal’s Castle to learn more about the history of Down throughout the ages. 

Follow in the Footsteps of Ireland’s Patron Saint 

St. Patrick’s Way: The Pilgrim’s Walk is Northern Ireland’s answer to the Camino de Santiago. Inspired by the Irish explorer Ernest Shackleton, this 82 mile signposted walk gives you the chance to uncover Northern Ireland’s hidden natural treasures and important sites from ancient history. 

Dedicated walkers who complete the trail will receive a special Pilgrim’s Passport and certificate, to remember their journey. 

A Coast to Coast Adventure Through the Heart of the Mournes 

The Mourne Way is the perfect chance to experience County Down’s varied landscape. Lace up your hiking boots and cross the heart of the Mournes, from the Newcastle seaside all the way to Carlingford Lough. 

You’ll follow in the footsteps of countless wanderers over the centuries. Pay special attention to the Bronze Age King’s Grave, dating back to around 1500BC. 

Escape the City on Newry’s Waterways 

For centuries, Northern Ireland’s cities were fed by a network of canals. While Newry Canal Way hasn’t been used to ship goods for over 60 years, today it is the perfect route to escape the noise and commotion of the city. 

Take a quiet moment to appreciate the bird song and babbling water on this 20 mile walking path. 

Country Lanes, Quiet Villages and Ring Dyke Landscape 

On the circular Ring of Gullion Way, you’ll encounter dense forests, country lanes and a spectacular landscape considered to be the best example of a ring dyke anywhere in the UK or Ireland.  

Marvel at some of Visit Mourne’s most important historical sites, including quiet villages, and a series of ancient burial chambers which date back nearly 6000 years. 

Step Through Time Along the Lecale Way 

Get up close and personal with our local wildlife as you make your way between the contrasting shorelines of Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea. 

The Lecale Way begins at the site of St. Patrick’s grave, and follows the shores of Strangford Lough around to Newcastle on the Irish Sea. Along the way, you’ll travel in the shadows of fortified towers which have guarded the shoreline since the 15th century. 

Carve Your Own Path Through Visit Mourne 

Bespoke tours with Visit Mourne are the perfect way to get back to nature. Whether you’re a weather beaten adventurer seeking out your next thrill, or you're simply planning your next family day trip, our bespoke walks cater to all tastes. 

Our hand picked tours are aimed at taking you off the beaten track, and creating unique memories which will last a lifetime. 

Trails and Tours for Young Legs 

Visit Mourne caters for adventurers of all ages. Our driving principle is to fuel a love of the great outdoors in people of all ages. 

Slieve Gullion is the perfect family-friendly walking experience. The Giant’s Lair hosts artwork inspired by Ireland’s rich mythology and folklore. Kids won’t want to leave the Adventure Playpark and Sensory Trail, winner of the Green Apple Environment Award at the NI Tourism Awards. 

Encounter Seismic Rumblings and Magma Activity 

In this area the natural environment was carved out by millions of years of molten magma bubbling away beneath our feet, trapped in a chamber underground. The site of the Aspiring UNESCO Global GeoPark Geological trails were formed by magma that never erupted, it did shoot up volcanic pipes, some of which are still visible near the main carpark. As it rose and cooled, it hardened into different-coloured layers.  

The centrepiece of the site is the Ring of Gullion, one of the world’s finest examples of a ring-dyke. The Ice Age exposed the hard layers of igneous rock that had formed underground, leaving what we know today as the 573m dome of Slieve Gullion 

Mournes and Strangford Geological Trails 

The Mournes region is home to some of the most diverse geological features on the Island of Ireland, including the granite of the Mourne Mountains and the sand dunes of the Murlough Bay Nature Reserve. 

Most people didn’t know that the area which is now Strangford once lay deep beneath the ocean in the southern hemisphere. This goes to show that Northern Ireland’s global connections stretch back through the ages.