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Wee Binnian Walkers have announced the itinerary for their 2025 hillwalking festival, taking place from 12-14 September across the stunning Mourne and Cooley mountains as well as Slieve Gullion. The three-day event promises to showcase the natural beauty of our area with graded walks for all abilities in what is a hikers paradise.
Friday Night Kicks Off with Slieve Gullion
The festival opens on Friday 12 September with an ascent of the iconic Slieve Gullion. The Grade 2 walk starts from Slieve Gullion Forest Car Park at midday, covering 9km with 580m of elevation gain. The mountain, part of a unique volcanic ring dyke complex, is home to Ireland's highest surviving burial cairn.
Friday evening also offers something special for astronomy enthusiasts - a stargazing walk around Rostrevor. The enchanted evening walk takes in Fiddler's Green, the Cloughmore Stone, and the mystical Fairy Glen, with spectacular views over Carlingford Lough. Participants must bring functioning head torches for this limited-capacity walk departing from Kilbroney Car Park at 8pm.
Saturday's Mountain Marathon
Saturday 13 September features the festival's most challenging offering - the two-day Mourne Wall Walk. Day one covers an ambitious 18.6km route starting at Silent Valley, ascending Binnian and continuing via Long Seefin, Rocky, Slieve Donard, Commedagh and Corragh to Hare's Gap, with 1,533m of elevation gain. Day two of the walk continues Sunday 14 with starting at Meelmore Lodge taking in Hare’s Gap, Slieve Bearnagh, Meelmore, Meelbeag, Carn, Muck and Slievenaglogh to finish at the Silent Valley with elevation gain of 1,234m.
Saturday also offers several other options including walks in the High Mournes taking in multiple peaks from the famous seven summits and a beautiful traverse route in the Cooley Mountains steeped in the folklore of the legendary warrior Cúchulainn.
The day concludes with the "Blister Boogie" at Warrenpoint Golf Club described as the social highlight of the weekend, featuring dinner, music and dancing until late. Tickets cost £30 and must be purchased in advance.
Sunday's Sea to Summit Adventures
Sunday's programme includes several 'sea to summit' walks, with the most popular being the ascent of Ulster's highest mountain, Slieve Donard, starting from Bloody Bridge. Various graded routes are available, from a challenging 12.4km Grade 1 walk taking in multiple peaks, to a more accessible 9.6km Grade 3 option.
The Cooley Mountains feature again on Sunday with a ridge walk to Louth's highest peak, Slieve Foy, following the route through the landscape of the Táin Bó Cúailigne or Cattle Raid of Cooley.
Information
Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
All walks depart from Warrenpoint Town Hall on Church Street, which serves as Festival HQ. Free parking is available nearby on The Square and other public car parks. Registration is required for all walks, either online via Eventbrite or on the day at the Town Hall.
Organisers stress that walking boots are essential, jeans are not suitable, and participants should carry full mountain gear including rainwear, spare clothing, packed lunch, and at least one litre of water. The festival is restricted to adults only, with no children under 18 or pets permitted.
With walks ranging from accessible Grade 3 routes to challenging Grade 1 mountain marathons, the Wee Binnian Walkers festival offers something for every level of hill walker looking to explore the magnificent Mourne and Cooley mountain ranges.
For full details and registration, visit the Wee Binnian Walkers website or check EVENTBRITE for advance booking options.
Download the full Wee Binnian Walking Festival 2025 Guide
