Mourne Mountains Walking Holiday — 6 Days

Arrive in Rostrevor, a picture-postcard Victorian village nestled between the Mourne foothills and the southern shore of Carlingford Lough. Your pre-departure pack includes public transport options from Dublin and Belfast — the village is accessible from both cities via Newry. Settle into your B&B, take an evening stroll along the lough shore, and find a good spot for dinner before the walking begins.

A full day exploring Kilbroney Forest above Rostrevor — one of the finest forest walks in Northern Ireland. The route climbs through ancient oak woodland to the Cloghmore Boulder, a massive glacial erratic perched on the hillside with sweeping views over Carlingford Lough and the Cooley Peninsula across the water. The descent back through the forest is gentler, passing through some of the most atmospheric woodland in the Mournes.

Your first day on the Mourne Way proper. The trail leads inland from Rostrevor and into the heart of the Mournes — open moorland, the first glimpses of the famous Mourne Wall, and the growing sense of a genuine mountain landscape. The day ends in or near the Mourne foothills with the best still to come.

The highlight of the tour. The Mourne Way passes through Tollymore Forest Park — ancient woodland, elegant stone bridges over the Shimna River, and the distinctive atmosphere of a landscape used as a filming location for Game of Thrones. The trail emerges in Newcastle as Slieve Donard rises above the town, a fitting arrival in the seaside town that will be your base for the next two nights.

A free day to explore at your own pace. The most popular option is a looped walk into Donard Forest — the wooded lower slopes of Slieve Donard — following the Shimna River up through the trees and returning along the Glen River with views back over Newcastle and the bay. Those who prefer something flatter can walk the beach and dunes of Murlough National Nature Reserve, one of Ireland's oldest sand dune systems, just south of Newcastle. Either way, the evening is yours — Newcastle has good options for a final dinner with the mountains behind you.

A final Irish breakfast with the Mournes at your back. Your pre-departure pack includes public transport options to Dublin Airport (via Newry, approximately 2.5 hours) and Belfast Airport (approximately 1.5 hours). We can arrange private transfers if preferred.