Hill Walk Mourne Mtns. A and B Walks combined

A Combined Hillwalk from Meelmore Lodge in The Mournes. A to Slieve Donard B to Slieve Commedagh

To celebrate National Hiking Day we are leading two walks along pretty much the same route in the Mournes with one walk being a bit more strenuous than the other. However we are happy for those who feel able to go that little bit further to do the extended version on the day.

Meeting Point/s: (1) Skerries Point Eurospar for car share @ 8:15am, Depart 8:20am or Meelmore Lodge car park @ 10.00 am  

Walk Starting Point: Meelmore Lodge – directions from Skerries – https://maps.app.goo.gl/7M2Lv5YvLqxVZERC7 – Cost £4.00

Walk Starting Time: 10.00am

Distance: 13-14.5km approx.

Grading:  A Difficult   B Moderately difficult

Duration: 5-6 hours approx including breaks depending on numbers/route/weather.

Height: Elevation gain approx.  A 1050m B 800m approx

Leaders: Shea Kelly and Paul Mulligan

Note: Please let either Shea or Paul  know by Saturday morning 28 September if you intend to go on either. A WhatsApp group will be set up for the walk to advise of any late changes, meet up or weather update. Please ensure you let leaders know where you intend to meet. Note very unreliable mobile coverage in the general Mournes area.

Route: From car park at Meelmore Lodge we take the Trassy Track. After the Spellack cliff face close to the ford on the Trassy River we take the “Green Road” up towards Slievenaglough crossing over the Mourne Wall before the summit. From here the view to the south opens towards Ben Crom, Slieve Bennion and Slieve Bearnagh and the Brandy Pad track which we will take on our return leg.

From Slievenaglough we follow along the wall past Slievecorragh till we reach the watchtower below Slieve Commedagh. Here we cross the wall again by the wooden style to reach the cairn on the summit of Commedagh and enjoy the views all along the coastline and Slieve Donard itself.

A choice can then be made to continue to Slieve Donard or return after lunch to Meelmore.

For our return journey we descend to the col just below Slieve Donard and follow the Brandy Pad back to the Hare’s Gap. This is a magnificent path which takes us through the heart of the Mournes mountain range with The Castles cliff face to our right and magnificent views of the peaks and valleys on the other sides. From the Hare’s Gap we pick up the Trassey Track again joining part of the Ulster Way and back to the café at Meelmore Lodge.