Moderate 6 Days / 4 Nights Walking

Saint Patrick's Way Walking Holiday — 6 Days (Armagh to Hilltown)

Pilgrim trail through canal country to the Mourne foothills.

Starting From €700 per person

The 6-Day Part A Saint Patrick's Way takes you from Armagh — Ireland's ecclesiastical capital and the city Saint Patrick founded as his seat in 445 — south through 84km of soft drumlin country, Newry Canal towpath, and Carlingford Lough shoreline to Hilltown, the upland gateway to the Mournes. Four walking days that build steadily in landscape and altitude without ever putting you onto a hard mountain day.

The route opens with the Armagh urban heritage walk and Navan Centre, then heads south through County Armagh's hedgerow-lined lanes to the canal village of Scarva. Day 3 follows the towpath of the Newry Canal — Ireland's oldest, opened in 1742 — flat and sheltered with kingfishers and herons all the way to Newry. Day 4 traces Carlingford Lough through Warrenpoint to Rostrevor, the Victorian gem at the southern edge of the Mournes. The final walking day climbs gently through Kilbroney Forest and onto the open foothills to Hilltown — a proper Mourne village with eight pubs on the main street.

Four walking days, five nights, luggage transfers, and a Pilgrim Passport with stamps at each stage. The heritage and approach without the high-mountain commitment — pair it with our Part B (Hilltown to Downpatrick) for the full pilgrimage.

Highlights

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Armagh — Ireland's Ecclesiastical Capital

The pilgrimage begins at Navan Centre & Fort (Eamhain Mhacha, the Iron Age capital of Ulster) and Armagh's twin cathedrals. Pick up your Pilgrim Passport for the ten stamps along the route.

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The Newry Canal Towpath

Day 3 follows the western bank of the Newry Canal — Ireland's oldest summit-level canal, opened in 1742. Locks, restored bridges, kingfishers and herons. Flat and sheltered — Scarva to Poyntzpass is the prettiest section.

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Carlingford Lough

Day 4 traces the shore of Carlingford Lough — Cooley Mountains rising across the water in the Republic, Mournes building ahead. Through Victorian Warrenpoint to the sheltered village of Rostrevor, gateway to Kilbroney Park and the C.S. Lewis-inspired Narnia Trail.

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Into the Mourne Foothills

Day 5 climbs gently through Kilbroney Forest and onto the open moorland of the Mourne Way to finish at Hilltown — an upland village with eight pubs on a single street, a legacy of 18th-century smugglers.

Who Is This For?

Your fitness level
Moderate. The first three walking days are gentle to easy — country lanes, canal towpath and coastal path. Day 5 (Rostrevor to Hilltown) climbs into the Mourne foothills and is the most demanding day. No exposed high-mountain walking. Good walking shoes and a waterproof are enough.

The right kind of traveller
You want the heritage, the canal country and the Mourne approach without committing to the high mountain crossing. A good fit for a first walking holiday, or for pilgrims who want to walk the southern half of the route as a stand-alone trip. You can return another year and walk Part B (Hilltown to Downpatrick) to complete the pilgrimage.

Solo, couples, groups
Lovely for solo walkers — the trail is well-marked and welcoming. Couples find their rhythm together. Small groups share the heritage stops.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Armagh — Navan Fort and City Heritage

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Navan Centre and Fort, Armagh's two cathedrals, Georgian Mall. Collect your Pilgrim Passport and first stamp. The pilgrimage begins.

Day 2

Armagh to Scarva

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hiking 30.0 kmlandscape ↑534mlandscape ↓549mschedule 6h 54m

29 km · 7–9 hours · Rolling drumlin countryside

South through County Armagh's green drumlins. Hedgerow lanes, quiet farms, gradual ascent. Scarva — picturesque canal village — awaits with your Passport stamp.

Day 3

Scarva to Newry

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hiking 19.3 kmlandscape ↑195mlandscape ↓200mschedule 4h 12m

20 km · 4–5 hours · Canal towpath

Flat and peaceful along Ireland's oldest canal. Birdlife, lock-keeper's cottages, merchant heritage. Arrive in Newry with energy to spare — save it for tomorrow.

Day 4

Newry to Rostrevor

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hiking 20.2 kmlandscape ↑495mlandscape ↓506mschedule 4h 54m

15 km · 3–4 hours · Coastal path above Carlingford Lough

Short day by design — you are saving your legs for tomorrow's mountain crossing. Climb gently from Newry, then follow Carlingford Lough to Rostrevor. Kilbroney Forest Park. Rest, eat well, prepare.

Day 5

Rostrevor to Hilltown

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hiking 18.1 kmlandscape ↑622mlandscape ↓502mschedule 4h 35m

18 km · 5–6 hours · Mourne foothills

The Mournes proper begin today. The route leaves Rostrevor through Kilbroney Forest Park, climbing into the conifers and out onto open moorland that contours the foothills of Slieve Martin and Tievedockaragh. Above the tree line the path follows the Mourne Way past the Yellow Water River — sometimes exposed, always with the high Mournes opening to the east. The descent drops you to Hilltown, an upland village on the River Bann with eight pubs on the main street — a legacy of 18th-century smugglers who divvied up their contraband here.

Day 6

Departure from Hilltown

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A morning in Hilltown. Quiet street, eight pubs, the River Bann — a proper Mourne village. Transfer onward to Belfast or Dublin, or extend your pilgrimage with our 9-Day Entire Route package to continue over the high Mournes to Newcastle and on to Downpatrick, where Saint Patrick is buried.

Accommodation

Five nights — Armagh, Scarva, Newry, Rostrevor, and Hilltown. Each stop is a different character: ecclesiastical city, canal village, merchant border town, Victorian lough-side village, and upland Mourne village with eight pubs. All en-suite, full breakfast, luggage transferred.

What's Included

check_circle What's Included

done✓ 5 nights accommodation in guesthouses and B&Bs (en-suite rooms) — Armagh, Scarva, Newry, Rostrevor, Hilltown
done✓ Full Irish or continental breakfast every morning
done✓ Luggage transfers between all accommodation
done✓ Pilgrim Passport for route stamps
done✓ Personalised digital itinerary and route app
done✓ 24/7 emergency contact and on-trail support
done✓ Pre-departure information pack with heritage notes

block Not Included

close✗ Transport to Armagh or from Hilltown (we can arrange transfers)
close✗ Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
close✗ Lunches and evening meals
close✗ Alcoholic beverages
close✗ Personal expenses
close✗ Navan Centre admission (approx. £7)

Best Time to Visit

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

April to October is the walking season, with May, June, and September the ideal months. The Mournes can be misty and cool even in summer — layers and waterproofs are essential for the mountain crossing. July and August are warmest but may have more cloud on the peaks. St Patrick's Day (17 March) brings festivities to Armagh and Downpatrick but the trail is not yet in season. Late spring and early autumn offer quieter trails, golden light, and fewer visitors at heritage sites.

From

€700 per person

Based on 2 sharing

Preferred Start Date

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Book at least 20 days in advance

Number of Walkers

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