With thick fog encircling all Mourne mountain summits this week-end in the Mournes, I opted for a lower level walk through Kilbroney forest. Starting from Rostrevor car park, I picked up a good road which led to another car park. Thereafter I followed walking tracks and cycle trails to a vantage point over Carlingford Lough. After admiring the views I re-entered the wood to obtain a second vantage point which offered a more impressive view of the Lough. I ventured higher, clearing the forest onto Slieveban's lower slopes. It was a view of two halves: cloudy skies to the north in the Mournes, crystal clear skies to the south over the Cooleys/Gullion ranges. This is my favourite vantage point which doesn't involve summiting a mountain. I returned to the car park using a forest trail through Fiddlers Green where I had an encounter with a robin for the third time this year. Total time was approximately two hours.
Retrospective view of the Cooleys:
Kilbroney forest:
Second vantage point at Kilbroney forest:
View to the Cooleys:
Carlingford lough overlooking Kilbroney forest:
Slieve Foye:
A cloudy Slieveban:
A clear Slieveban:
A hazy view:
Carlingford Lough:
Barnavave:
Slieve Foye:
Carlingford Lough and Warrenpoint:
View to Leckan Moor:
A robin in Kilbroney Forest: