Mourne Seven Sevens
The Mourne Seven Sevens visits all seven summits above 700 m (2,296 ft) in the Mourne Mountains of Northern Ireland in a 29 km circuit — a classic mountain challenge in the finest mountain range in Ireland.
This route has no official waymarking. Serious navigation experience is required — do not rely on GPS alone. Carry OS 1:25,000 maps and study the line before you go.
About Mourne Seven Sevens
The Mourne Mountains in County Down are the highest mountains in Northern Ireland — a compact granite range above Newcastle that rises steeply from sea level to Slieve Donard (850 m) in just a few kilometres. The Seven Sevens challenge visits all seven Mourne summits above 700 m in a continuous circuit: Slieve Donard, Slieve Commedagh, Slieve Binnian, Slieve Bearnagh, Slieve Meelmore, Slieve Meelbeg and Slieve Lamagan.
At 29 km with around 2,800 m of ascent, it is achievable in four to eight hours for fell runners. The famous Mourne Wall — a 35 km dry stone wall built in the early twentieth century to enclose the Silent Valley reservoir catchment — bisects the range and provides a navigation reference throughout.
The route
From Newcastle: ascend Slieve Donard (850 m, the highest point in Northern Ireland south of the border) via the Glen River. Follow the Mourne Wall circuit — Slieve Commedagh, Slieve Binnian, Slieve Lamagan, Slieve Bearnagh. Return via Slieve Meelmore and Slieve Meelbeg.
Getting there & logistics
Base: Newcastle, County Down. Bus from Belfast (Translink service).
Best time: April to October. The Mournes get significantly more rainfall than the surrounding lowlands.
Safety
The Mourne mountains have steep granite terrain and can be cold and wet. The wall provides a navigation aid but the ground either side is rough granite. In an emergency: call 999 or 112, ask for Police then Mountain Rescue. Mourne Mountain Rescue Team. Pre-register SMS 999.
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