During this walking holiday you will stay in a number of accommodations to allow you to experience the very best the region has to offer. Your luggage will be transported for you.
Accommodation in the Cooley and Mourne Mountains
Your hosts work with a wide range of high quality B&Bs that are generally 3 star standard and all recognised by Bord Failte or the Northernireland Tourist board. During one overnight in the Mourne Mountains you will stay in a hostel, but your hosts will always attempt to book you in an en-suite double room.
Breakfast is included in this walking holiday.
Walking in the Cooley and Mourne Mountains
This Trek across the Cooley and Mourne Mountains is the ideal way to sample the varied landscapes and walks that these mountains have to offer. You trek across the counties Louth in the Republic and down in Northern Ireland getting a full sense of the region that has until now been hidden from most hillwalkers.Blackrock will be your base for the first 2 nights after which you will stay in Carlingford, Rostrevor, Attical and finally Newcastle. These are all unique places and worth a visit in their own right. The Trek totals 72km.
Cooley and Mourne mountains walking holiday itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival. You will receive your welcome pack with all the walk descriptions and maps at your first B&B in Blackrock. Should you arrive early in the day you have the option to walk Slieve Gullion, a looped walk of approx. 15k. There is a €10.- surcharge for the additional pick up and transfer to your B&B.
Day 2 – Ravensdale – Lumpers (Cooley) 12km. You will be dropped at the start point for your walk in Ravensdale forest. A steep climb will bring you to the black mountains from where you have a fantastic view over the Slieve Gullion volcanic crater. To the south you can see the Dublin Mountains and to the north you get the first glimps of Slieve Foye above Carlingford and the Mourne mountains. You will walk along the ridge, passing 2 Cairns, before descending to the Lumpers. Here you will be picked up for a transfer back to your B&B.
Day 3 – Lumpers – Carlingford (Cooley) 18km. Today’s walk will bring you across the Cooley mountains from the Lumpers into the central Cooley valley before climbing again over the crest to find Carlingford at your feet. Before you’ll get there you will pass through Maeve’s gap and past a grave tomb and a deserted 19th century village from before the great irish famine.
Day 4 – Carlingford – Rostrevor: rest day or optional walk – 8km. In the summer months there is a ferry from Omeath to Warrenpoint and there is the opportunity for a great walk from Carlingford to Rostrevor (June – August). The rest of the year you have the option of walking to Omeath and taking the bus to Warrenpoint (via Newry) and walk to Rostrevor or take a day off (no punishment when in Carlingford). You can also do a variety of looped walks from Carlingford or even climb Slieve Foye (580m). Overnight in Rostrevor.
Day 5 – Rostrevor – Deerpark – 15km. Leaving Rostrevor you will now make your way into the Mourne Mountains. This walk provides varied views and paths from forrest tracks to heather and peaty tracks. At the end you will be collected and brought to your accommodation in Attical. This hostel was set up and built as a village project to bring income to the area and is run by volunteers.
Day 6 – Deerpark – Newcastle – 20 km. You will be dropped close to the previous day end point and from here you will walk across the Mourne Mountains and through the beautiful Tollymore forest park and into Newcastle where you will spend the final night before departure. This again is hill-walking at its best. This Trek will inspire you to come back for more!
Day 7 – Departure after breakfast.
Dates and Availability
