Hill Walk (Easy) Tollymore Loop

Route: TOLLYMORE FOREST PARK

Route Details: Covering an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne mountains, Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle.  It’s open to the public all year.  Circular walk through Tollymore Forest Park on forest roads (hard core/gravel and smooth to walk on).  Start from the main car park along the River Trail alongside the Shimna River and then join the Mountain Trail that will take us through the forest, to great views of the Mournes as we walk along the southerly edge of the estate.  We will ascend to Curraghard Summit, 256m, which will provide great views of Newcastle and Slieve Donard and then follow the trail back to the main car park.  While this is a 14km walk (a combination of the River, Mountain & Drinns trails) and there are a few inclines though not long, there are plenty of flat parts and declines and as we are on forest roads.  They are not difficult to negotiate, and we can take our time, stop when we need to and enjoy plenty of great views.

Meeting Point: Tollymore Forest Park Car Park (£5) – Kiosk opens at 10:00am but there is a machine (Pay & Display) at the kiosk that takes cards so we can use that. When you have come past the Kiosk park in the carpark to the left looking out over the forest, which is where we will park and not the right

Meeting time: 09:30am

Walk Start Time: 09:45am

Distance/Duration: 14km/4.5 to 5 hours including breaks
Height: Summit 256m (Curraghard); Total ascent 566m

Further Information:  This is an easy hill walk as we are on forest roads but please note it is 14km and there are several inclines though none of them are too long, but we can take our time.

Leader’s Note: Starting from Tollymore Forest Park car park (£5), we take the River Trail along the Shimna River and then join the Mountain Trail that takes us around the edge of the forest on the south side where we will have views of the Mournes. We will ascend Curraghard (256m) and have views down on Newcastle and of the Mournes , we will then continue the Mountain Trail to bring us back to the car park.

Allow 1 hour 35 mins to get from Skerries to Tollymore Forest Park, Bryansford Rd, Newcastle BT33 0PR – The entrance (RHS) is on the Bryansford Rd going into Newcastle. (M1 to Newry, then B8 out of Newry to Hilltown, B27 once through Hilltown signposted Newcastle, then B180 signposted Newcastle, at Bryansford turn right on to Bryansford Rd heading for Newcastle and the entrance is a short distance, 0.5km on the RHS)

Toilet facilities will be open in Tollymore Forest Park as well as coffee & tea for when we complete our walk.

Please Text the leader by FRIDAY 8 Nov if you intend to go on the walk.  WhatsApp: for ease of communication a Whatsapp group will be set up for the group coming on this walk. If you do not wish to be included please let the leader know when registering your interest in the walk.  Please note the Club does not organise car pooling; however if you wish to avail or offer, please request on this Whatsapp group.  Please see car pooling info on MI’s website here.