Cooley & Mournes Walking Tour — 6 Days
The best of Cooley and the Mournes in six days
Not everyone has eight days. This six-day version of our most popular cross-border adventure skips nothing that matters. You join the trail at Lumpers — already high in the Cooley Mountains — and follow the spine of the peninsula down through Maeve's Gap to medieval Carlingford. Then it's across the border into County Down for Kilbroney Forest, the Game of Thrones woodlands of Tollymore, and the wild granite landscapes of the Mourne Way into Newcastle.
A day in Carlingford gives you time to breathe and explore — fresh oysters, narrow medieval streets, the waterfront at the foot of Slieve Foye. Then the Mournes take over: two days of walking through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, following a trail that has been trodden since medieval times.
All logistics are handled. Your bags travel ahead, your route notes cover every turn, and each evening you arrive at a warm B&B with a hot shower and a good pub nearby.
Highlights
Táin Way Ridgeline
Follow the ancient Táin Way along the spine of the Cooley Peninsula from Lumpers, crossing Maeve's Gap with views stretching from the Irish Sea to the Mourne Mountains before descending into Carlingford.
Medieval Carlingford
Spend a full day in one of Ireland's finest medieval villages — cobbled streets, King John's Castle, fresh Carlingford oysters straight from the lough, and traditional pubs.
Mourne Way & Tollymore Forest
Walk through Tollymore Forest Park — a Game of Thrones filming location — following the Shimna River and crossing elegant stone bridges on the way to Newcastle.
Cross-Border Walking
A genuinely rare experience: crossing from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland on foot, two countries flowing seamlessly into each other underfoot.
Who Is This For?
This tour suits confident walkers who want the full Cooley-to-Mournes experience without the extended Ravensdale opening stage. You should be comfortable walking 14–20 km per day over hilly terrain. The Lumpers-to-Carlingford stage crosses the high ridgeline of the peninsula — a serious hill day with significant ascent. The Mourne Way stages are more moderate: mixed forest, river paths, and open countryside with manageable gradients. A good choice if you have done multi-day walking before and want a compact but complete Irish mountain experience.
Tour Itinerary
Day
1
Arrival in Dundalk
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Arrival in Dundalk
Arrive in Dundalk, your first night's base. This historic market town sits at the foot of the Cooley Mountains and is well connected to Dublin (80 km south) and Belfast (100 km north) by rail and bus. Settle in, explore the town centre, and enjoy dinner before tomorrow's adventure begins.
We provide detailed public transport information in your pre-departure pack.
Day
2
Transfer to Lumpers — then to Carlingford via the Táin Way
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Transfer to Lumpers — then to Carlingford via the Táin Way
After breakfast, a short transfer takes you up to Lumpers — the mid-point of the Cooley Peninsula. From here you follow the Táin Way along the spine of the mountains, crossing Maeve's Gap between Slieve Foye and Barnavave. The views on a clear day stretch from Dundalk Bay to the Mourne Mountains across Carlingford Lough. The descent into medieval Carlingford is one of Ireland's great walking finishes.
Day
3
Carlingford Looped Walk
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Carlingford Looped Walk
A morning at your own pace before a looped walk exploring the broader Carlingford area — the lough shore, ancient lanes, and the ruins of King John's Castle. The afternoon is free to explore the village: oysters at a waterfront restaurant, a browse through the craft shops, or a gentle wander through the medieval streets.
Day
4
Mourne Way Part 1 — into Rostrevor
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Mourne Way Part 1 — into Rostrevor
Today you cross the border into Northern Ireland and begin the Mourne Way. The trail passes through Kilbroney Forest and into the foothills of the Mournes, with wonderful views back across Carlingford Lough. Rostrevor is a pretty Victorian village nestled between the mountains and the lough — a lovely spot for an evening stroll and dinner.
Day
5
Mourne Way Part 2 — Rostrevor to Newcastle
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Mourne Way Part 2 — Rostrevor to Newcastle
The finest day on the Mourne Way. You pass through Tollymore Forest Park — ancient woodland, stone bridges over the Shimna River, and the unmistakable atmosphere of a place that has appeared in Game of Thrones. The trail emerges in Newcastle, a seaside town that sits in the shadow of Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland's highest peak.
Day
6
Departure from Newcastle
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Departure from Newcastle
A final Irish breakfast, then time to say goodbye to the Mournes. Your pre-departure pack includes public transport options from Newcastle to Dublin Airport (via Newry) and Belfast Airport. Talk to us if you'd like to arrange a private transfer.
Route & Map
Accommodation
- Accommodation: 5 nights in en-suite B&B rooms - Breakfast: Full Irish breakfast every morning - Luggage Transfer: Daily door-to-door transfer of your main bag - Transfer Day 2: Transfer from Dundalk to Lumpers trailhead - Maps & Navigation: Detailed route notes, GPX files, and a waterproof map case - Pre-Departure Travel Pack: Sent 4 weeks before you travel, including onward travel options from Newcastle - Support: 24/7 emergency support line for the duration of your trip
What's Included
check_circle What's Included
- doneAccommodation: 5 nights in en-suite B&B rooms
- doneBreakfast: Full Irish breakfast every morning
- doneLuggage Transfer: Daily door-to-door transfer of your main bag
- doneTransfer Day 2: Transfer from Dundalk to Lumpers trailhead
- doneMaps & Navigation: Detailed route notes, GPX files, and a waterproof map case
- donePre-Departure Travel Pack: Sent 4 weeks before you travel, including onward travel options from Newcastle
- doneSupport: 24/7 emergency support line for the duration of your trip
block Not Included
- closeFlights: Travel to Ireland is not included
- closeAirport Transfers: Travel options from Newcastle are outlined in your pre-departure pack
- closeInsurance: You will need travel and walking holiday insurance
- closeMeals: Lunches and dinners (we'll happily recommend pubs and restaurants en route)
- closePersonal Gear: Hiking equipment and clothing
Photo Gallery
Best Time to Visit
May and June are our top picks. Long evenings, wildflowers on the Cooley foothills and manageable trail traffic make these months hard to beat. June and early July offer the longest daylight hours, which matter for the longer Mourne Ridge days.
September is arguably the finest month of all. Bracken turns gold, the light is sharp and clear, trails are quieter, and accommodation is easier to book.
July and August are the warmest months but the busiest. Slieve Donard sees significant foot traffic, and accommodation needs to be booked well in advance.
The walking season runs from late spring through to late autumn, typically April to October.
Time your visit with a festival. Many trails host walking festivals throughout the season — see our complete 2026 walking festivals calendar to plan around one.
From
Based on 2 sharing
Book at least 20 days in advance
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Cliff & Louise
Your Personal Hosts
Have a question about this tour? We've walked it dozens of times and love helping you plan your trip.
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