Saturday's walk saw me take in two of the lower summits in the Mournes: Doan and Carn. What these peaks lack in height they more than make up for in panorama. Doan is regarded as the true heart of the Mourne mountains. Starting from Gamekeepers Lodge car park, I picked up the Lough Shannagh track. The track is probably one of the best paths in the Mournes. Eventually I turned off the path, making my way across heathery pathless terrain towards Doan, the first summit of the day. I picked up a foot trail at the foot of the mountain. 1.5 hours after starting the walk I reached Doan's summit. A 360 panorama reveals 23 mountains, half the range. The Silent Valley takes pride of place. Descending the eastern side I ventured across marshy terrain in the direction of the Mourne wall to the colony Slieveloughshannagh shares with Carn. I made the short ascent to Carn which revealed greater views westwards. My descent route from Carn followed the Mourne wall back to the Lough Shannagh track. Total distance was 13km.
Carn, Doan, Meelmore, Meelbeg:
Lough Shannagh track view of Meelmore/Meelbeg:
Slievenaglogh from ascent of Doan:
Silent Valley from ascent of Doan:
Silent Valley from Doan:
Knockchree from Doan:
Lough Shannagh from Doan:
The eastern Mournes from Doan:
Meelmore, Meelbeg, Slieveloughshannagh from Doan:
Ott from Carn:
Spelga Reservoir from Carn:
The eastern Mournes from Carn:
Bernagh from Carn:
Doan from Carn:
Retrospective view of Carn:
Slievenaglogh and Knockchree:
Doan from the descent of Carn: