For the first time in two months, the forecast was glorious sunshine in the Mournes. I drove to a car park about 2.5 miles after Newcastle beside the Irish Sea. Starting from the bridge car park I picked up a good track sandwiched between Chimney Rock and Slieve Donard. Slieve Beg is a long walk in but offers great aerial views of the Annalong valley. I made my way through the quarries and came to the Mourne Wall. Climbing the stile, I picked up the brandypad past the castles of Commedagh and turned left to Slieve Beg. It was quite windy. After admiring the views I retraced my steps to the car park. Total distance was 12.5km.
Chimney Rock from the start of the walk:
Following the track towards the Mourne wall:
Donard from Chimney Rock quarries:
Beg, Cove and Lamagan from brandypad:
Commedagh from the brandypad:
Commedagh castles and Donard:
Upper Cove from Beg:
Annalong valley and Rocky from Beg:
Donard from Beg:
Bernagh from Beg:
Zoom-in on Annalong river:
Annalong valley from the castles:
Binnian, Lamagan and Cove from brandypad:
Returning to the car park:
Chimney and Donard from the car park:
Irish Sea from the car park: