Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [551]
SIGHTS
At the heart of the Mournes is the beautiful Silent Valley Reservoir ( 08457 440088; car/motorcycle £4.50/2, plus per adult/child £1.60/0.60; 10am-6.30pm Apr-Oct, to 4pm Nov-Mar), where the Kilkeel River was dammed in 1933. There are scenic, waymarked walks around the grounds, a coffee shop ( 11am-5.30pm Sat & Sun Apr-Sep), and an interesting exhibition on the building of the dam. From the car park a shuttle bus (adult/child return £1.40/1) will take you another 4km up the valley to the Crom Dam. It runs daily in July and August, weekends only in May, June and September.
The dry-stone Mourne Wall was built between 1904 and 1922 to keep livestock out of the catchment area of the Kilkeel and Annalong Rivers, which were to be dammed to provide a water supply for Belfast. (Poor geological conditions meant the Annalong could not be dammed, and its waters were diverted to the Silent Valley Reservoir via a 3.6km-long tunnel beneath Slieve Binnian.) The spectacular wall, 2m high, 1m thick and over 35km long, marches across the summits of 15 of the surrounding peaks including the highest, Slieve Donard (853m).
ACTIVITIES
If you fancy a shot at hill walking, rock climbing, canoeing or a range of other outdoor activities, Bluelough Mountain & Water Sports Centre ( 4377 0714; www.mountainandwater.com; Grange Courtyard, Castlewellan Forest Park) offers one-day, have-a-go sessions for individuals, couples and families (around £60 to £100 per person), as well as Sunday afternoon taster sessions. They also rent canoes for £30/45 per half-day/day.
If the weather is wet, you can still go rock climbing at Hotrock ( 4372 5354; www.hotrockwall.com; adult/child £4.50/2.50; 10am-5pm Mon, to 10pm Tue-Fri, to 6pm Sat & Sun), the indoor climbing wall at Tollymore Mountain Centre; you can hire rock boots and harness for £3.50. The entrance is on the B180, 2km west of the Tollymore Forest Park exit gate.
Surfin’ Dirt ( 07739 210119; www.surfindirt.co.uk; Tullyree Rd, Bryansford; 10am-6pm Tue-Sun Jul & Aug, 11am-6pm Sat & Sun Apr-Jun & Sep-Nov) is a mountain-boarding track off the B180, 3km west of Bryansford village. A three-hour beginner’s session, including board, safety gear and instruction, costs £17.50.
More sedate outdoor activities are offered by the Mount Pleasant Pony Trekking & Horse Riding Centre ( 4377 8651; www.mountpleasantcentre.com; Bannonstown Rd, Castlewellan; per hr £12-15), which caters for both experienced riders and beginners, and offers various guided treks into the park. Short rides, beach rides and pony trekking can also be arranged.
Mourne Cycle Tours ( 4372 4348; www.mournecycletours.com; 13 Spelga Ave, Newcastle) provide mountain- and touring-bike hire (from £10/15/80 per half-day/full day/week) and can arrange self-guided tours and family cycling weekends, including accommodation.
FESTIVALS
The Mournes are the venue for various hiking festivals, including the Mourne International Walking Festival (www.mournewalking.co.uk) in late June, and the Down District Walking Festival in early August.
SLEEPING
Meelmore Lodge ( 4372 6657; www.meelmorelodge.co.uk; 52 Trassey Rd, Bryansford; camping per adult/child £5/3, dm/tw £17/50; ) Set on the northern slopes of the Mournes, 5km west of Bryansford village, Meelmore has hostel accommodation with a cosy lounge and kitchen, a campsite (tents only) and a good coffee shop.
Cnocnafeola Centre ( 4176 5859; www.mournehostel.com; Bog Rd, Atticall; dm/tw/f £15/36/55; ) This modern, purpose-built hostel is in the village of Atticall, 6km north of Kilkeel, off the B27 Hilltown road, and 3km west of the entrance to Silent Valley. As well as a self-catering kitchen, there’s