Hill Walk Mourne Mtns. Chimney, Donard, Millstone.

Route: Bloody Bridge, Chimney Rock Mountain, Bog of Donard, Slieve Donard, Millstone Mountain

Distance / Duration: 12.5 km / 5-5.5 hrs. Elevation gain 1020m

Meeting Point: Bloody Bridge Car Park

Walk Start Time:  10:00am

Further Information: This is HILL WALK – NOT A RAMBLE – Classification: Difficult (duration and height gain)

1. Please ensure that, at the very least, you have hiking boots (no trainers), and depending on the weather forecast suitable clothing  – multiple layers including a warm jacket/fleece, hat and gloves, sun screen, a waterproof jacket and trousers, snacks, water (plenty) and a small rucksack.  If you are unsure about your gear check with the leader a few days beforehand as anyone turning up with inadequate gear will not be permitted to walk.  You will not be permitted to join the walk unless you have the equipment outlined above.  Always be prepared for adverse weather in the mountains.
2. It is highly recommended that you do not wear any clothing made from DENIM/CORDUROY/COTTON on the hike.
3. The club is a supporter of the ‘Leave No Trace’ campaign so please ensure that you leave no litter (of any sort) on the hike route.
4. NEVER go ahead of the Leader without being sure of the way!

Leader’s Note:
From Bloody Bridge car park we follow the old smuggling/quarry track along the Bloody Bridge river. After about 2.5km we ascend Chimney Rock Mountain along the old quarry railway. Remnants of the track and some of the quarry works still litter the path. From the summit of Chimney Rock (656m) we descend to the col at the Bog of Donard and from there climb to the Great Carn on the summit of Slieve Donard. From here we proceed north-easterly towards Millstone Mountain and then to the valley of the Glen Foffany River to rejoin the quarry road near where it meets with Bloody Bridge River.

We would be hopeful of good views of the entire of the Mournes, the Isle of Man and the eastern coastline down as far as the Wicklow Mountains.  If you have ever looked at the Mournes from round the head in Skerries, these three mountains are the first three on the eastern flank of the range.

Toilets available at the start/finish.

Please text walk leader Shea Kelly on or before Friday 23rd July if you would like to go on the walk.

Before the walk you will be asked to confirm:

1. you have not been outside the country in the last 14 days,
2. you have no symptoms of Covid-19 – cough, fever, shortness of breath, loss of smell/taste,
3. you have not been in contact with any confirmed case of Covid-19  or have been told to self-isolate in the last 14 days.

For ease of communication and updates a WhatsApp group will be set up for this walk.  If you do not wish to be included in this WhatsApp group please let the leader know when you get in touch to book your place.

Directions

We will meet at Bloody Bridge Car Park (272 389) about 3.5km south of Newcastle along the A2

Note:

As of Monday the weather forecast for Sunday is for warm sunny weather so extra water and sun screen will be required as well as usual other outdoor gear and food.

Slieve Comedagh

Walk Route

3-D Walk Route