The 12 Most Amazing Peaks around Tollymore

Within Tollymore Forest Park, you can explore various waymarked trails. The "Mountain and Drinns Trail" is a popular option, offering a more challenging trek with mixed trails and steep gradients. This trail includes the Drinns, the highest point within the Forest Park, and provides spectacular viewpoints of the northern Mournes, Dundrum Bay, Newcastle, and the Irish Sea from the Curraghard viewpoint. For other hiking options, you can explore the Hiking around Tollymore guide.

For challenging ascents, Summit of Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland's highest peak, is a strenuous but incredibly rewarding climb. Another significant challenge is Slieve Bearnagh, known as 'Gapped Mountain,' which involves steep sections and some scrambling, especially if descending from the North Tor to Pollaphuca.

Yes, several peaks feature historical structures. The summit of Slieve Donard is marked by a stone tower and the remains of two burial cairns. The iconic The Mourne Wall, a 31 km dry-stone wall, traverses 15 peaks in the Mourne Mountains, including Slieve Donard and Slieve Bearnagh. On Slieve Meelmore, you'll find a summit shelter and what appears to be an old stonemason's hut, indicating where materials for the Mourne Wall were gathered.

The mountain peaks around Tollymore offer breathtaking panoramic views. From the Summit of Slieve Donard, on clear days, you can see as far as the Isle of Man, Anglesey, and the West Coast of Scotland. Elevated areas within Tollymore Forest Park, such as The Drinns, provide views of the northern Mournes, Dundrum Bay, and the Irish Sea. Peaks like Slieve Bearnagh also offer stunning vistas of the surrounding Mourne landscape.

The Mourne Mountains are beautiful year-round, but the best time to hike generally depends on your preference for weather and trail conditions. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery, with fewer crowds than peak summer. Summer provides longer daylight hours and warmer weather, though it can be busier. Winter hiking is possible but requires appropriate gear and experience due to potentially harsh weather conditions and shorter daylight.

While the highest peaks are challenging, Tollymore Forest Park itself offers various waymarked trails suitable for families. The park's diverse terrain, rich flora and fauna, and scenic river walks make it enjoyable. Some trails within the park, like the 'Mountain and Drinns Trail,' gain height and provide 'mountain views' without requiring an ascent of the major peaks. For more options, check the Hiking around Tollymore guide for routes with varying difficulty levels.

Beyond hiking, the Tollymore area offers a range of outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, including routes like 'Newcastle Way and Tollymore Forest Drinns Trail,' detailed in the Running Trails around Tollymore guide. For cyclists, there are road cycling routes that explore the wider region, such as the 'Climb by Rostrevor Forest – Spelga Reservoir Hill Climb loop,' which you can find in the Road Cycling Routes around Tollymore guide.

Tollymore Forest Park has designated parking facilities. For accessing the wider Mourne Mountains and peaks like Slieve Donard or Slieve Bearnagh, common starting points often have car parks. For instance, the Cecil Newman Car Park is a known starting point for routes involving Slieve Bearnagh. It's advisable to check specific trailheads for parking availability and any associated fees before your visit.

Visitors consistently praise the incredible scenery and the sense of accomplishment. The 'gorgeous views of County Down' from peaks like Slieve Donard are frequently highlighted, as is the unique experience of hiking alongside The Mourne Wall. Many find the Mournes to be a 'magical' and 'hidden gem' of a hiking area, appreciating the diverse landscapes and the rewarding challenge of the ascents.

While Tollymore Forest Park itself has facilities, for cafes and pubs closer to the mountain trails, you would typically look towards nearby towns and villages such as Newcastle. These towns offer various options for refreshments and meals after your hike. It's a good idea to plan your route and check for specific establishments along your chosen path or in the closest settlement.

The Mourne Wall is a remarkable 31 km (19-mile) dry-stone wall that traverses 15 principal summits of the Mourne Mountains. It was built over nearly 20 years to prevent livestock from contaminating the Silent Valley Reservoir. Its perimeter has become famous for the 'Mourne Wall Challenge,' where hikers complete a full circuit, conquering over 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) of elevation gain and visiting many of Northern Ireland's highest mountains.