Hiking the Mourne Way in Northern Ireland
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- čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
- The Mourne Way is a 26 mile walk through the Mourne Mountains, starting in Newcastle (County Down) and ending in Rostrevor.
The Mourne Mountains are home to the highest mountains in Northern Ireland, the highest being Slieve Donard (850 metres / 2500 feet).
The Mourne Way does not pass over any high mountains but, instead, passes through a wide variety of terrain - open mountainside, farmland, forests, and valleys.
The scenery is stunning, as expected from the Mournes which is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Highlights of the walk include Tollymore Forest (famous for its waterfalls and stepping stones - which made it popular with the makers of Game of Thrones) and Spelga Dam (although, as you can tell from the video I did not get good visibility on this occasion).
The Mournes are my local mountains and I spend a lot of time there. I am very lucky to live about 1 hour away.
For those interested in the area, I recommend Paddy Dillon's book - the Mourne Walks... there is something for every fitness and ability level. That is true of the Mournes overall... there are high mountains that can be challenging for even the fittest walkers (especially given Northern Ireland's unpredictable and often hostile weather) and there are places you can simply drive to and explore, such as Tollymore Forest, Spelga Dam, and Silent Valley reservoir.
The Mourne Way is an excellent introduction to the area. It can (at a push) be completed in one day but two days is more realistic. The route is waymarked but there are a couple of sections where route finding could be tricky in bad weather (notably, between the Rocky River track and Leitrim Lodge area). This is shown in the video at day 2 -the bit where my feet are squelching through the soaking ground. This area is rugged. There is no good path and, as mentioned, in mist/fog it can be a disorientating place.
Although I visit the Mournes regularly, I am mindful that I will not always be fit and able to do so, so I really wanted to make a film of me walking through this area that means so much to me. I also hope it will inspire others to visit.
The idea of making a completely silent film (no music - just ambient nature sounds) has been inspired by the incredible hiking films of Kraig Adams.
I highly recommend his channel. I find his silent hiking films therapeutic and I wanted to emulate that style. I appreciate it will not be to everyone's taste.
If you watch the video you will probably notice that I have an affinity for Meelmore Lodge. It is an excellent place for hikers and causal Mourne visitors. It has free parking, free showers, and (of course) it does great food, especially breakfasts. It is a popular campsite and also has rooms / bunkhouses to stay in too.
Finally - a note on the end of the video. The Mourne Way goes between Newcastle and Rostrevor. You can of course go in either direction. If you start (as I did) in Newcastle, the walk finishes in Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor (itself well worth a visit).... I am not sure where the official finish point is (if there is one) so I decided to add an extra hour to the walk and hike up to the Cloughmore Stone, which is perched above Rostrevor with excellent views over Carlingford Lough and The Cooley Mountains (again, on this occasion the weather did not oblige!).
Newcastle is serviced by public transport (regular buses run to and from Belfast which is less than 1 hour away)
Rostrevor is also well connected - both by bus and also trains from the nearby town of Newry (15 minute drive / bus from Rostrevor)
I hope you find this useful and enjoy the video!
Richard
Note on filming gear:
Canon M50
Canon EFM 11-22mm lens
Canon EFM 55-200 lens
Rode Video Micro
I live in Northern Ireland and have been to the mourne mountains but I have never seen most of the places you went. You make our country look so awesome
Thanks very much. Glad you liked it. All the best, Richard
What a lovely video Richard! Your appreciation for the Mournes is clear. Such random and beautiful things can be seen when out on your own as you showed! You showed off a wonderful trail and a lovely art of capturing its beauty 😊
Thanks very much... I'm very fortunate to live quite close to the Mournes so I try to get there as often as I can. My videos look very amateurish compared to yours though! Your recent video of the Gap of Dunloe inspired me to go to Kerry... I went last week with my bike and cycled around, including the Gap of Dunloe....stunning place. I look forward to seeing your next adventure! All the best, Richard
@@richardrambles6259 nothing amateurish about your videos (I feel the same about mine so I know what it’s like!) - yours was fab! 😎 Oh lucky you being down in Kerry! I was in West Cork last weekend myself, another lovely spot. Trying to build up some enthusiasm for bringing the camera along again 😉
Sir, you walk like a dancer, and your taste in beverage equals your taste in scenery :-))) Go raibh mile for taking me along! x
hey Richard that was an incredibly beautiful hike. The Mourne's have real magic. Here's to their special qualities. Mark
Thanks Mark. I live about an hour's drive from the Mournes and, with every passing year, I appreciate them more. I'm very lucky to have them as my local mountains. Thanks for watching and for your kind words. All the best, Richard
@@richardrambles6259 Hey that's good to have them o your doorstep. A pleasure to watch and comment.
Noticed u filled ur water bottle up with spring water without having to purify it. I filled up when i climbed Slieve Donard near summit and it tastes amazing,freshest water i have tasted!
Yes, some of the streams up high are very fresh. I do carry a Sawyer filter and (just in case) some purification tablets but most of the time I just drink from the streams... unless I'm down low in a valley or there are animals about. Thanks for watching 👍 All the best, Richard
Thank you for making this and sharing your adventure!! Just did the Mourne Way for the first time a few days ago, but watched your video a few times beforehand to get an idea of what it would be like. Thanks again. Hope you are well 🙏
I hope you had a good time doing it... must have been cold! Glad you liked the video and thanks for your kind words. All the best 👍
Great video, thanks for this!
Thanks... glad you liked it. All the best, Richard
Such a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing
Thank you. The Mournes are a special place for me so I am happy to hear you enjoyed seeing it. Thanks for watching and for your kind comments. All the best, Richard
@@richardrambles6259 awesome! You're welcome! We really enjoy making outdoor content also
I did enjoy the video, Richard and, having seen some of Kraig's work, I can see the similarities and inspiration. Good to see another from you and another place to add to my list! All the best.
Thanks Olly.... If you ever want to visit the Mournes let me know and I will be happy to show you around. Or, if you'd rather, to give you some tips on places to see. All the best, Richard
@@richardrambles6259 Thanks very much for the kind offer, Richard. I'll certainly keep it in mind and would like to visit one day.
Cheers Richard ,an excellent film and hike. I did notice a resemblance to Kraig Adams film.
👍🍻
Thanks Dave. I appreciate your kind comments. Thanks for watching and for the positive feedback. All the best, Richard
What a great video..
Thanks very much. I appreciate it👍 Glad you liked it. Cheers, Richard
@@richardrambles6259 never camped in the mournes yet. Is there any car parks safe to park overnight..
@@jasperandrew6816 I have the same concern as you... I don't like leaving my car in remote, random car parks overnight ... When I go camping in the Mournes I tend to leave my car in Meelmore Lodge. They charge a fee (£8 overnight) but their car park has a security camera etc... Also, there are free showers there so you can wash before driving home. And the cafe is good too. Meelmore Lodge gives good access to Hare's Gap and to Slieve Commedagh and Slieve Binnian, which is one of my favourite parts of the Mournes. I have also left my car overnight in Newcastle several times. I don't leave it in Donard Car Park. I tend to park on the nearby Tullybrannigan Road... It's s quiet residential area. I haven't had any issues there. Those are the two places I park most often. Hope that helps!
@@richardrambles6259 thanks for that Richard....definitely going to get a trip planned out looks amazing 👍
Great hiking. I'm going to do my hike next weekend, can't wait.
I hope your hike goes well and that the weather gods look kindly on your trip! All the best, Richard
@@richardrambles6259 thanks!
Thanks for this.. I grew up in Warrenpoint and spent so much quality time up around the Mournes..quite refreshing to not have dialogue..its nice to just listen to nature.. great video.
Thanks 👍 Glad you liked it
Can’t describe enough how relaxing and liberating it feels to immerse in this beautiful scenery. Mother nature is truly amazing. The waterfall, I could sit there for hours. Its so relaxing and healing 😊Thanks for sharing. I've enjoyed watching.
Thank you... I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching and for your kind words. I appreciate it. All the best, Richard
Lovely videos - love nature up in the mournes!! I love running up them! Keep the good work up! 👌
Thanks 👍 I appreciate it. All the best, Richard
Nice video 👍 Cracking edit with it and it was good to see the Mournes 👍 Thanks for sharing. Adam
Thanks Adam. I appreciate it 👍
All the best, Richard
Amazing footage and wonderful hiking tour. I recently discovered your channel and I must say it is amazing! Beautiful places I would love visiting one day. Like 28 and new friend here looking for more adventures!
Thanks very much. Very kind of you. I appreciate it. I've been lucky to visit some really beautiful places so I like trying to capture the memories! All the best, Richard
Wow... Beautiful sceneries and great capture of the varied terrains. This is definitely on my list. Thanks for sharing. (New subscriber here :-)
Thanks. I appreciate it 👍 Glad you liked it. All the best, Richard
I just found and subbed. I look forward to supporting your content.
Thanks. I appreciate it 👍
Some beautiful looking scenes thanks for the share new sub here
Many thanks. I appreciate it. All the best, Richard
Incredible mate. What do we call this style? I’ve been calling mine “silent hiking”, anyway whatever, this was sublime. You’ve absolutely smashed it here! Incredible. Other than the breakfast at the cafe... that could have been better! 🤣 seriously though, one of the best I’ve seen like this. Kudos.
Thanks very much Chris. It's very kind of you to say that. I appreciate it. I've wanted to make a silent hiking film ever since watching the one Kraig Adams did in Mardi Himal Nepal. I find films like that (with just ambient nature sounds) very relaxing. I look forward to checking out your films this evening. Thanks again for watching and for your kind comments. All the best, Richard
Richard Rambles it’s a strange style but I like it. Many don’t though, I think. I’ve seen a few from Kraig, his videos do well but that’s probably partly due to him being very likeable and a good talker. Anyway this is better in my opinion, everything seemed very thoughtful and polished. The framing, the sound etc.
Excellent video (is there not a charge for Meelmore parking?)
I think you're right... I think they started charging a few months ago. I'm sure the Covid restrictions have been hard on their business so hopefully they come through OK... It's a great place. Very good to hikers. Thanks for watching 👍 All the best, Richard
Did this last week lol...
It said fanny dam when I got there too...
It's a nice walk. Hope you got decent weather for it. It's a shame some parts of Tollymore Forest got so badly damaged by the recent floods. I was there a few weeks ago and two bridges were gone and some of the stepping stones swept away. Couldn't believe it. Hopefully it'll be fixed up soon. Thanks for watching. All the best, Richard