Mourne Coastal Route

Head south from Belfast to Newcastle, where the Mourne Mountains run into the sea, then follow the shore round to Kilkeel and Rostrevor. The Mournes are good for walking and the road is quiet outside summer weekends.

The stops

1. Start

   Belfast

2. Worth a look

   Strangford Lough ferry

   Short ferry at Portaferry

3. Beach

   Murlough Beach

   Dunes and beach near Dundrum

4. Town

   Newcastle

   Resort at the foot of the Mournes

5. Worth a look

   Silent Valley

   Reservoir inside the Mournes

6. Town

   Kilkeel

   Fishing harbour

7. Town

   Rostrevor

   Village on Carlingford Lough

8. Finish

   Newry

Where to stay

• Night 1

  Newcastle

  Tollymore Forest Park campsite

When to go

Apr–Oct

On the road

Narrow coast roads near the Mournes