Highlight • Historical Site
Brandy Pad
Hiking
4.8
(26)
This Highlight is in a protected area
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Tips
October 11, 2023
Hiking
August 27, 2025
Hiking
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Nearby routes
Best routes near Brandy Pad
4.9
(40)
265
hikers
14.0km
04:38
640m
640m
Embark on the Hare's Gap & Slieve Commedagh loop, a challenging yet rewarding hike through the dramatic Mourne Mountains. This route spans 8.7 miles (14.0 km) with a significant elevation gain of 2085 feet (635 metres), typically taking around 4 hours and 37 minutes to complete. You will navigate varied terrain, from gravel forest roads to winding tracks over bare rock and through boulder fields. The ascent to Hare's Gap involves rough steps, leading to panoramic views across the range, while the climb up Slieve Commedagh, the second-highest peak, offers sweeping vistas out to the Irish Sea and Newcastle below. You will also see the impressive Mourne Wall winding over the peaks and the Ben Crom Reservoir.
This moderate hike requires good fitness and sure-footedness, so make sure you wear sturdy shoes. While the route is generally well-defined, some sections, especially on Slieve Commedagh, can be steep and demanding, sometimes over pathless ground. It is wise to carry a map and compass, particularly if visibility is poor or you are unfamiliar with the area. The trail starts conveniently from Trassey Car Park, making it accessible for a day trip into the mountains.
The Hare's Gap itself is a historically significant mountain pass, once a key smuggling route where goods were carried along the Brandy Pad. This path still offers gorgeous scenery through the heart of the High Mournes. As you hike, you will frequently encounter the iconic Mourne Wall, which not only serves as a navigational aid but also highlights the scale and history of this unique landscape. The route transitions beautifully from forest edges to open mountainside, showcasing impressive granite features and the wild beauty of the Mourne Mountains.
4.9
(12)
127
hikers
19.4km
06:55
1,110m
1,110m
This difficult loop in the Mourne Mountains challenges you with 12.0 miles (19.4 km) of hiking and a significant 3637 feet (1108 metres) of elevation gain, taking around 6 hours and 54 minutes to complete. You will navigate steep, rocky mountain paths, including sections that require scrambling, especially on Slieve Bearnagh. The reward for your effort is spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of the High and Western Mournes, the Irish Sea, and Newcastle below, with the distinctive rocky tors of Slieve Bearnagh adding to the dramatic scenery.
To tackle this strenuous route, you need very good fitness and sure-footedness. The varied terrain includes unpaved paths, gravel, and natural ground, with some sections of built steps. Be prepared for sustained steep climbs and descents; parts of the trail, particularly descending Slieve Bearnagh and towards Hare's Gap, are very steep and demand extreme caution. Wet or icy conditions can make the already rugged terrain particularly slippery, so plan your visit for clear weather.
The trail takes you over Slieve Bearnagh, Slieve Commedagh, and Slieve Donard, encompassing three of the four highest peaks in the Mourne Mountains, with Slieve Donard being Northern Ireland's highest. You will encounter the iconic 19-mile (31 km) Mourne Wall, which hikers often follow, and sections of the historic Brandy Pad, a former smugglers' track. The Mourne Mountains are designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, highlighting the unique geological and ecological significance of this challenging and rewarding hiking destination.
5.0
(6)
30
hikers
17.2km
06:20
1,110m
1,110m
Embark on a challenging 10.7-mile (17.2 km) hike that takes you from Bloody Bridge, along a rocky river path, through an old quarry, and up to the summit of Slieve Donard. This difficult route, typically taking 6 hours and 20 minutes, involves a significant 3634 feet (1108 metres) of elevation gain. You will experience varied terrain, from marshy sections requiring waterproof footwear to steep climbs and descents, especially as you approach Northern Ireland's highest peak. On a clear day, the panorama from Slieve Donard is superb, extending to the Isle of Man and Scotland. The trail also guides you through Hare's Gap, a dramatic mountain pass offering unique views of the surrounding landscape. You will follow sections of the historic Mourne Wall, which weaves naturally through the mountains. This journey promises spectacular scenery and a deep immersion in the Mourne Mountains. If you are looking for a strenuous adventure with rewarding vistas, this route is for you. You will need a high level of fitness and experience for this demanding journey. The path from Bloody Bridge is initially rocky, then joins a gravel road through a quarry before becoming a dirt trail. The ascent to Slieve Donard is particularly steep after reaching the Mourne Wall, requiring careful footwork. Hare's Gap, while having a well-maintained path when accessed via Trassey's Track, is still fairly steep and rocky. This combined route is notable for several key features, including the ascent of Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland's highest mountain, offering unparalleled summit views. A significant portion of the hike follows the historic Mourne Wall, a 31-kilometer (19-mile) dry-stone wall built between 1904 and 1922 to enclose the Silent Valley Reservoir catchment area. Hare's Gap is a historically significant point, once serving as an exit for smuggled goods carried through the mountains along the Brandy Pad. The trail transitions from coastal beginnings at Bloody Bridge, alongside a river, through old quarry areas, and onto exposed mountain slopes, showcasing the diverse beauty of the Mournes. Completing this rigorous combination of routes is a significant achievement, rewarding hikers with a deep immersion in the raw beauty and history of the Mourne Mountains.
Details
Informations
Elevation 490 m
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Thursday 7 May
11°C
6°C
34 %
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Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h
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