HIKING IN NORTHERN IRELAND

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TOP HIKES IN NO RTHERN IRELAND! Hiking is good for soul (and body) and really can lift your mood  ( NOTE:  Especially when you make it to the top!). With so many fabulous treks around Northern Ireland I will shock you in revealing how many peaks there are in the Co.Down Mourne Mountains alone  we’re I do most of my hikes . There are mountain treks for almost all different lifestyles and fitness levels so follow me on my trekking journeys for top tips and guides and get out there and breathe in ( TOP TIP-  not to close to the sheep!) that fabulous fresh air! FACT! With nearly  100 peaks  in the Mounes were spoilt for choice! (Although some hikers may say some of these are more like bumps than peaks!). 
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SLIEVE BINNIAN


SLIEVE BINNIAN


Trek 1- Slieve Binnian hike from front

My first big(ish) mountain hike was Big Binnian way back in the early 90s . It stands at 747 metres and back then I ‘tackled it’ (Mourne lingo!) from the front face (No ice picks were required!).It’s a total trek distance of 3 miles taking 2 hours to complete with which you’re unlikely to meet many people on the way (Just sheep!).

  1. You can park at top of Brackenagh East road on the grass verge.
  2. Its a relativity easy trek up the lane through gate and follow path until you get to the old quarry which is approximately 1 mile.
  3. From here, you can follow the wall which I would class it as moderately steep from here to the top (Ok I stopped once for 2 minutes to ‘tie my lace’ AKA take a breather!).

Trek 2- Slieve Binnian hike from rear via Blue Lough

In more recent years though I prefer to tackle it from the back as I believe it is the more scenic route and usually far more hikers around (and less sheep!) especially in summer. The highest point on trek is 747 metres also (Probably because is the same mountain!) with a distance of 7 miles circular hike that takes between 2.5 hours to 3.75 hours to complete.

  1. From Carrick car Park you trek up the lane through gate and follow path which takes you past the Blue Lough to the right (Yep the water is really blue!).

2.      You continue walking the saddle that sits between Binnian and Slievelamagan. Up until this point of the trek is relativity easy.

3.      Before you take the path to the left to start the climb at the back of Binnian walk straight on as there is a view point that is truly amazing! (Also gives you excuse to ‘tie your laces’ if needed).

  1. Now is time to head up the path of Binnian. In recent years the first part of the path has been renovated with steps (Yep there made from granite!). This certainly helps the legs for ascending up.
  2. However, all good things come to an end as the path then becomes rockier were a bit of clambering is required halfway up and this part is the steepest of the hike. (Good time to ‘tie your laces’ again if required!). Also, the path isn’t clear at this point and you can easily get lost especially if it’s cloudy. (TOP TIP: From experience on my second time on this route I went up it on a really cloudy day and I took the ‘scenic route’ of this scenic route which added an extra 45 minutes to the hike! So stick with a sunny day if you don’t know it well! ).
  3. Once past this bit thankfully there is a good path over the back of the plateau of Binnian were there Is stunning views and you can see Binnian Lough to your left. (NOTE: This is my favourite point in the Mournes as you really feel that you are on a different planet due to the remoteness!).  



  1. Once across the plateau you have a small climb to to the summit were again the views are spectacular and can see the famous silent Valley dam! (NOTE: This is based on the1% chance of a sunny day though!)

  1. For the descent you go over the side of the mountain and following the ditch until you re-join the path near the start of the hike (TOP TIP: This is can be slippery in places due to loose gravel and I have skied down on my behind on a few occasions (I blame the poor choice of footwear!). 

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