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The Mournes Walks

AuthorPaddy Dillon
PublisherThe O'Brien Press
ISBNISBN-10: 0 86278 652 5 (First Edition)
ISBN-13: 978 1 84717 141 2 (Second Edition)
ISBN-13: 978 1 84717 761 2 (Third Edition)
Price€9.99
The Mountains of Mourne rise dark and brooding in this view from Aughrim Hill.

The Mountains of Mourne rise dark and brooding in this view from Aughrim Hill.

The Trassey Track is one of the most popular access points into the Mountains of Mourne.

The Trassey Track is one of the most popular access points into the Mountains of Mourne.

Granite tors rise along the crest of Slieve Binnian in the heart of the Mountains of Mourne.

Granite tors rise along the crest of Slieve Binnian in the heart of the Mountains of Mourne.

This book was first mooted by The O'Brien Press at a dinner following the launch of 'The Complete Ulster Way'. Once a contract was in place and time was allocated for the route research, the actual walking routes were checked over a period of three weeks.

The Mountains of Mourne are a remarkably compact group and access is easy on all sides, so it was simply a case of choosing three separate bases and walking day after day until a comprehensive selection of routes had been checked. Local District Councils showed a great deal of interest during the period of research, with some access officers even walking with the author.

The book contains 32 walks, from easy nature trails and forest trails to high-level mountain walks, including the mighty Mourne Wall walk. As the routes are confined within the Mourne AONB, there are a few walks out towards Slieve Croob. The book includes a four-day breakdown of the Mourne Way and Lecale Way, which are integral parts of the Ulster Way.

In a review in Irish Mountain Log, Chris Avison said, "Paddy Dillon has chosen lovely walks which would be very hard to discover without his guide. The book is well presented and excellent value." In a review in TGO (The Great Outdoors) magazine, Ronald Turnbull said, "The Mournes have been looked at very closely indeed. The 32 routes, which also cover Slieve Croob and some low-level stuff, are comprehensive, clear and useful... You'll want to go to Ireland right now."

The Independent newspaper listed The Mournes Walks first in a feature titled "The 10 Best Walking Guides".

Walk Contents

Walk 1 Warrenpoint and Rostrevor
Walk 2 Slieve Martin and Knockshee
Walk 3 Slieve Roe from Knockbarragh
Walk 4 Slieve Roosley from Leitrim Lodge
Walk 5 Tievedockaragh and Rocky Mountain
Walk 6 Hen, Cock, Pigeon and Eagle Mountain
Walk 7 Eagle Mountain and Finlieve
Walk 8 Slievemoughanmore from Attical
Walk 9 Slieve Muck and Pigeon Rock Mountain
Walk 10 The Spelga Dam Circuit
Walk 11 The Silent Valley Circuit
Walk 12 Slieve Binnian from the Annalong Valley
Walk 13 Annalong Valley and Rocky Mountain
Walk 14 Chimney Rock Mountain
Walk 15 The Mourne Coastal Path
Walk 16 The Brandy Pad from East to West
Walk 17 Slieve Meelbeg and Slieve Meelmore
Walk 18 Slieve Bearnagh from Trassey
Walk 19 Slieve Commedagh from Trassey
Walk 20 Slieve Commedagh from Newcastle
Walk 21 Slieve Donard from Newcastle
Walk 22 Tollymore Forest Park
Walk 23 Murlough National Nature Reserve
Walk 24 The Castlewellan Loanans
Walk 25 Castlewellan Forest Park
Walk 26 The Windy Gap and Legananny
Walk 27 Slieve Croob from Finnis
Walk 28 The Mourne Wall Walk
Walk 29 Ulster Way - Newry to Rostrevor
Walk 30 Mourne Way - Rostrevor to Deer's Meadow
Walk 31 Mourne Way - Deer's Meadow to Newcastle
Walk 32 Lecale Way - Newcastle to Clough