Below is our calendar of scheduled events for 2008. You'll notice the walks are colour coded into three categories, RED, AMBER and GREEN. Click on the Difficulty Ratings button in the side bar for an explanation of what these colours mean.

Next Walk: Sunday 24th August

Sunday 24th August: Commedagh from Meelmore Lodge

Meeting Point: 10:15am at Mynt Car Park, Belfast
Starting Point: 12 noon from Meelmore Lodge - Grid ref J 305 308
Distance: 11.5 km with shorter option 9km

Details:
Set off from Meelmore Lodge (car park £3) towards Spellack, crossing the Trassey River and the track, continuing up and along a disused quarry track to the Mourne wall on the slopes of Slievenglogh, continue along the Mourne Wall to climb Slieve Corragh and finally Slieve Commedagh. We cross the wall at the Summit Hut and walk to the summit and descend towards Shan Slieve, but just short of reaching it, descend into the Cascade River Valley, entering Tollymore Forest Park near an old Cottage. We go back to Meelmore Lodge via the western end of the park, following for a while the Shimna River.

This is a lovely walk, with so much to take in at every turn of the head. Old quarries, Ben Crom Reservoir far below, views of County Down and beyond to Lough Neagh and the Sperrins, all the High Mournes, Newcastle, the Irish Sea, the spectacular glacial bowl of the Pot of Legawherry and the Cascade and Shimna Rivers."
(Walk with Dublin Group)

September

• Sunday 28th: Doan
More info soon…

October

• Sunday 26th: Slieve Martin

A delightful walk through forest and the southern flank of the High Mournes with extensive views of Carlingford Lough and the Eastern Coast of Ireland
 
Meeting Point: 10.15am at Mynt car park 
Starting Point: 12 noon at upper car park at Rostrevor  Forest Park 
Distance: 9.5 Km. OS sheet 65 The Mournes Start Grid Ref J195 174
Finish time: Approx 4.30pm
 
We meet in the upper car park at Rostrevor Forest Park. We then walk up through the forest to reach the summit of Slieve Martin (485m) with extensive views of  across the Kilbroney valley to Warrenpoint and Rostrevor far below. We then walk down to Knockshee (346m) with its ancient cairn. This is another fine viewpoint here with views of the eastern coast of Ireland. On a fine day, Howth Head and the Wicklow Mountains beyondDublin can be seen. We then walk towards Slieve Meen (471m) descending to the giant Cloghmore Stone and Fidler’s Green before returning to the car park. There are several suitable pubs in the picturesque village of Rostrevor for “après walk”.

November

• Sunday 23rd: Murlough, Newcastle

The first of our customary “winter warmer” walks, low altitude (attitude!) designed for those less enthusiastic and more accustomed to stroll than hike.
This is favourite winter walk followed by drinks etc in the Percy French, Newcastle.
 
Meeting Point: 11.30am at Mynt car park 
Starting Point: 1pm at Twelve Arches (Slidderyford Bridge) car park, on Dundrum-Newcastle Road
Distance: 7 Km. OS sheet 65 The Mournes Start Grid Ref J395 342
Finish time: Approx 3.30pm
 
This is a popular walk through the National Trust’s Nature Reserve at Murlough, through the dunes, onto the beach which stretches into Newcastle. The vista towards the Mournes can only be described as breathtaking and majestic. Percy French must have stood here to get inspiration for the lyrics for his song about the Mournes and the line “where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea”. We walk along the beach northwards and then head back into the dunes for lunch, passing the Marquis of Downshire’s summer seat at Murlough House. If the tide is right, we can walk along the foreshore of  Dundrum Inner Bay, and back past the heronry towards, but not crossing the beautiful granite bridge built by the Downshires to join their village of Dundrum to their coastal demesne. This is a great place to observe an array of birds, overwintering from the cold of the Artic. Last time we we here we saw We then follow the shores of the Inner Bay back to the car park  

December

• Sunday 14th: Christmas Walk
More info soon…