Mourne Wall Challenge
The Mourne Wall Challenge visits all 15 summits linked by the famous Mourne Wall — a 35 km dry-stone wall enclosing the Silent Valley reservoir — in a 35 km circuit of the highest ground in Northern 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 Wall Challenge
The Mourne Wall was built between 1904 and 1922 to enclose the Silent Valley reservoir catchment — 35 km of dry-stone wall at high altitude, linking fifteen mountain summits in the Mournes. Walking or running the complete circuit of the wall has become a classic Mourne challenge.
At 35 km with around 3,000 m of ascent, it is demanding — the wall climbs every summit and descends the other side rather than contouring. It is longer and harder than the Seven Sevens but covers all the significant Mourne high ground. A 12-hour completion is the traditional target.
The route
The wall starts and ends at Carrick Little or Meelmore Lodge and visits, in a roughly clockwise direction: Slieve Gullion approaches, Slieve Bearnagh, Slieve Meelmore, Slieve Meelbeg, Slieve Loughshannagh, Cove Mountain, Slieve Muck, Pigeon Rock Mountain, Slieve Binnian, Slieve Lamagan, Slieve Beg, Buzzard's Roost, Slieve Commedagh and Slieve Donard.
Getting there & logistics
Base: Newcastle, County Down. Bus from Belfast.
Best time: May to September. The wall circuit is serious in wet conditions — many sections have no path and the heather and bog are demanding.
Safety
The Mourne Wall Challenge is a serious mountain challenge — remote sections with no paths, rough granite terrain throughout. In an emergency: call 999 or 112, ask for Police then Mountain Rescue. Mourne Mountain Rescue Team. Pre-register SMS 999.
Have you completed Mourne Wall Challenge?
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Completions
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