Meelmore and Meelbeg
A moderate circular walk in the High Mournes, summiting two of the seven highest peaks in the region, Slieve Meelmore and Slieve Meelbeg.
County Down
Distance 5.4 miles
OS Map 29
Terrain Unsurfaced tracks, mountain path
Nearest Town Hilltown
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference J279279
Route Type Mountain
Cross the obvious stile on the opposite side of the road from Ott car park. After 150m the stony track splits in two – take the upper path and continue along the obvious track ascending to the col between Slieve Loughshannagh and Carn Mountain where you will meet the Mourne Wall. At the wall turn left and follow the Mourne Wall up the summits of Slieve Loughshannagh (619m) and Slieve Meelbeg (708m), up to the summit of Slieve Meelmore (687m). Retrace your steps 300m back down Slieve Meelmore to the wall intersection and descend into the valley using the right hand wall at this intersection. Continue to where the wall meets a walking track and river and follow the river downstream, following the walking trails on either side. At the bottom of the valley pick up the Ulster Way, before reaching a pocket of evergreen woodland, follow this in a south westerly direction passing Fofanny Dam after 750m. The Ulster Way emerges onto the Slievenaman Road. Turn left and continue for 800m along the road back to Ott car park.
Slieve Loughshannagh, Slieve Meelbeg, Slieve Meelmore, Fofanny Dam, the Mourne Wall
The walk starts at Ott car park. To get here follow the Kilkeel Road out of Hilltown for 7 km, turn left at the junction with Slievenaman Road and continue for 1.5 km, Ott car park is on the left hand side.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Dogs must be kept on leads
Car park and picnic facilities available at Ott car park.
Grade 5
- There may not be a formalised path, and variable, single file trails are to be expected.
- Gradients and cross slope could be expected to be steep and not limited.
- Obstacles and surface breaks of greater than 75mm measured across the line of the path to be expected.
- Overhanging branches are possible. Passing places and rest areas may not be formalised or provided.
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Walk Route
Meelmore and Meelbeg
Great walk in the Mournes, route finding is dead easy. The sunny weather helped and lots of water was needed. The final climb up the road back to the car wasn’t fun and my app recorded about a mile further than the description stated. I also took a different route up the last peak by bearing left away from the wall, a more direct but pleasant ascent compared to the wall route
Great hike over 3 peaks. I clocked almost 8 miles with the return route I took. Weather was not great so no summit views unfortunately. The climb is pretty straightforward just follow the wall.
Set off about 9:30 and was back at Ott carpark by 1:30.
Really nice circular hike!