Discover Mourne Mountain beauty and support local rescue team!
The walk follows the Smugglers' Path over the mountain known as Brandy Pad,
which was used in the 19th century to evade coast guards and revenue men. Smuggled goods were often transported
via this high mountain route on pack ponies. The walk starts at Bloody Bridge car park and follows the Bloody Bridge River uphill.
The path crosses Crannoge Quarry and leads to the Bog of Slieve Donard, where you first cross the 32 km-long Mourne Wall at the Cranes.
To your right, you'll see Slieve Donard, the highest mountain in Northern Ireland, with the wall leading to its summit.
At this point, the steepest part of the walk is behind you.
Following section of the walk leading just
under The Castles on the right side, a line of cliffs and rocky tors situated on lower Slieve Commedagh. Ben Crom reservoir is on the left side.
Finally you will cross the Mourne wall second time in Hares Gap with
Slieve Bernagh on the left site and walk down the valley along the river. Meelmore Lodge will be
in front of you and you have to cross the wall one more time. The walk should not take longer than 4 hours.
The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team is made up entirely of volunteers who live close to the Mournes and are based at the foot of Slieve Donard in the coastal town of Newcastle.
The Team maintains an operational membership of around thirty-five people in order to provide this service. They are a registered charity and totally dependent on donations from the public. It costs around £35,000 per year to maintain the service which must be raised through Mourne Mountain Rescue Team efforts. Any help is vital for them to maintain the rescue service. Please visit donation page for more information. MMRT
Please find the direction to Bloody Bridge car park on Google Map