Hill Walk Tollymore Forest Park (Cancelled)

Route:  Tollymore Forest Park – 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

Route Details:  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 15km walk 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.

Start Time: 09:45am

Distance / Duration: approx. 15 km / 4.5 to 5 hours including breaks

Height / Ascent: Summit 256m (Curraghard); Total ascent 566m

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

Walk Start Time: 10:00am

Further Information:  This is an easy hill walk as we are on forest roads but please note it is 15km and there are several inclines though none of them are too long, so may be a challenge given the distance, but we can take our time.

Leader’s Notes:

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 50 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.

Covid-19 related: Walkers are advised that they will be asked to confirm that they have no Covid-19 like symptoms and agree to walk at their own risk.  The organisers cannot accept any liability in the event of injury/Covid-19 infection.

Please Text the leader by Nov 11^th if you intend going on the walk.  Please provide mobile phone number for contact. 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.