SLIEVE DONARD- Trek 1

SLIEVE DONARD

Slieve Donard is the Everest of Northern Ireland! Standing at 850 metres, it is the tallest mountain in NI. It is known as the jewel of the Mournes and is the most famous amongst all the peaks. There is a well known song “The Mountains o’ Mourne” written by famous Irish songwriter Percy French which sings “where the mountains of Mourne that sweep down to the sea” indicating Donard in particular as it actually does sweep down to the sea and sits stunningly behind Newcastle town where there is even a pub here named after Percy.(TOP TIP: I’d advise to visit here after trek and not before!).

 

There are many different hiking routes you can do in ‘tackling’ Donard, with the two most popular starting from Donard car park in Newcastle or the Bloody Bridge just outside Newcastle. However, I am going to start with taking you on a route that is less known but the scenery is just as beautiful!

Trek 1-Slieve Donard via Seefins

This route takes you up the side of Slieve Donard taking in part of the famous Mourne Wall and also the Seefin peaks along the way. The starting point is just 1 mile above the village of Annalong and is a total distance of 8.5 miles which takes between 2.75 hrs to 4.25 hrs pending your pace. The hike overall would be classed as moderate to hard.  Moderate up until you reach bottom of Donard but then is quite challenging from here to the highest point in NI of 850 metres.

Main steps guide:

1.  From the top of quarter road there is room to park in lay-by at side of road.
2.  Walk up the pathway for short period then you take a left and travel up past the forest on your left.
3.  You trek up Seefin through some overgrown foliage (NOTE: ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ for about 5 minutes at least!).
4. Once at top you trek onwards over Long Seefin which is a 345 metre peak (NOTE: or bump pending your perspective!) were you should now see the Mourne wall and a style.
   
   
   
5. There is a decision to be made to either to hop onto and walk the Mourne wall for 2 miles or to walk up the side of the wall. (TOP TIP: Walking on the wall takes less energy than over the rough terrain up the side of the wall). (NOTE: However, the wall can be up to 10 feet high in places so caution is advised. Plus when you look up after walking the wall for a period the landscape starts floating around and I wasn’t at the Percy French before either!).
6. Once at the bottom of Donard id advise to get off the wall if you’re still on it and start climbing Donard along the wall. (I found it too steep to continue on wall at this point). 
7.  The climb can be challenging in places which is more so to do with the total distance up as the terrain is ok mostly and is more gradual than some other peaks. (NOTE: You will climb and think you’re near the top at 1 point only to realize there’s more!).Once you make the top you can now say you’re at the top of Northern Ireland!
   
   
   
8.  TOP TIP: Walk on past the pile of stones at the top of Donard as there is excellent view point where you can see down to Newcastle and beyond!).
   
   
   
9. Now that you have conquered Donard and taken in the views you can return on the same path and take the long ‘floating’ wall back. (NOTE: Anyone for the Percy French ?)