Blue Lough
This walk provides an easy introduction to the Mountains of Mourne giving a mountain atmosphere whilst following gentle gradients and making use of distinct tracks and pathways.
County Down
Distance 3 miles
OS Map Sheet 29
Terrain Gentle hill walking
Nearest Town Annalong Village
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference J345219
Route Type Mountain
Start at Carrick Little car park. A track leading from the car park north into the mountains provides a pleasant start to the Blue Lough walk.
A stile at this point crosses the Mourne Wall as it descents from Slieve Binnian to the West and continues east towards Long Seefin. The route to the Blue Lough crosses the wall at right angles and continues along a level track to reach and follow the edge of Annalong Wood.
The path continues along old quarry tracks in open heathland. Much of the route was originally paved with granite slabs and there is evidence of stone working along the way. There are two main track junctions between this point and the Blue Lough, the route bears left at both.
This pleasant spot where the path crosses the small fast stream which exits the Blue Lough, provides an opportunity to appreciate the view North East to Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest mountain.
The rocky slopes of Slieve Lamagan rise close by to the north and Slieve Binnian lies to the Southwest. Percy Bysshe the small outcrop of rock close to the path was named after a poet.
The Blue Lough provides a fine place to picnic. A short walk (600m) further along the track to the col or saddle between Slieve Binnian and Slieve Lamagan will provide a bird’s eye view of Ben Crom Dam and the mountain from which it takes its name.
The return route is the same as the outward journey.
Mourne Wall connects the summits of 15 mountains
The Carrick Little car park is at the junction of the Head Road and Oldtown Road near Annalong.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Picnic area, café, campsite and camping pods
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Walk Route
Blue Lough
If you only do one family walk in the Mournes – make it this one! Absolutely stunning scenes all round. Took us 4 hours to do this walk with children aged 11, 8 and 4 with plenty of snack stops. One little climb at the end and everything else is flat. The ground is uneven though and a few streams to cross so definitely boots if you have them.
A great hours walk to the Blue Lough at the heart of the Mournes. On a scorching August day the prize at the end was a swim in the clean refreshing water of the lough- absolute heaven! I have done this walk on misty August days when the mountains were hidden behind a wall of fog; it adds an atmospheric angle to the obligatory dip in the lough.
Lovely spot and walk