Rocky Mountain and Tievedockaragh Circular Walk

The Rocky Mountain and Tievedockeragh Circular Walk is a great walk with some sweeping views of nearby peaks; however, there are some sections of rugged terrain that you will need to account for. Be sure to wear proper walking boots for this adventure. Additionally, upper portions of this walk are fairly exposed, so be sure to bring a rain jacket or windbreaker to combat the elements.

This really is a spectacular route that will not only provide you with some stunning views of the Mourne Mountains, but also the chance to explore several different terrain types. Along the trail you will traverse hillsides, pass through charming forests, walk along river banks, and climb mountain peaks, making this an exceptional adventure that you won’t want to miss out on.

Setting out from the car park, follow the trail to the southeast through the tree cover and cross over the small bridge spanning Shankys River to reach a fork in the path. Keep right here and continue along the trail as it bends to the southwest, traversing the lower slopes of the hillside for the next 2.1mi. Here, you will pass through a lovely stretch of forest and walk alongside the River Glen, before arriving at a bridge spanning the Yellow Water River.

Instead of crossing over the bridge, keep left and follow the path that runs parallel to the banks of the river, taking you to the southeast as you climb further up the forested hillside. After 0.4mi along this path, you will meet up with a lane and follow it to the left to arrive at a junction. Taking the third path on the left, you will climb further up the hillside and eventually break free of the tree cover on the way to the summit of Tievedockaragh.

After taking in the sweeping views of the surrounding landscape of the Mourne Mountains, you will continue on to the northeast and traverse the undulating landscape, taking in the views of Eagle Mountain, Slievemoughanmore, and Wee Slievemoughan on your right. After making another climb up to the rocky summit of Tormanrock, you will descend the hillside and work back uphill for one last climb up Rocky Mountain. Take a few moments to absorb some final views across the Northern Ireland landscape, before making your final descent to the southwest into the trailhead where you began the Rocky Mountain and Tievedockeragh Circular Walk.

Trail Highlights

Mourne Mountains

Located in the southeastern corner of Northern Ireland, the Mourne Mountains are a granite mountain range that is made up of the highest peaks in the county, including Slieve Donard at 850m. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), it has been proposed to transform the region into Northern Ireland’s first national park.