Granite Trail (Bogie Line & Drinneevar Loop)
Covering a relatively short distance from coast to open moorland, the Granite Trail offers the opportunity to see artifacts from the once thriving granite industry of Mourne. Differing natural habitats can be enjoyed as you walk through coniferous forest and mature woodland beside mountain streams and rivers.
County Down
Distance 2.4 miles
OS Map Sheet 29
Terrain Steep Inclines and Forest Tracks
Nearest Town Newcastle
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference J381296
Route Type Forest, Woodland
Route Description
There are 3 component parts to this trail, providing the walker with a range of possible options or combinations. Bogie Line Drinneevar Loop Donard Loop Starting from NEWCASTLE HARBOUR (Bogie Line & Drinneevar Loop) Walk up to the main Newcastle – Kilkeel road (beside the Harbour Inn). Cross the road with care and continue up Bogie Hill and up onto King Street. A “Granite Trail” sign marks the direction to the start of the old BOGIE LINE, a cleared strip of forest on a 1 in 3 incline up towards Millstone Quarry. At the top of Donard Wood, cross the stile to access the DRINNEEVAR LOOP. Follow the narrow path to your left hand side which takes you to a 2nd stile over a dry stone wall. Cross the stile and continue along the path which leads upwards into the hillside. You will then descend briefly before taking the linear path to your right hand side, which leads up to Drinneevar Quarry (accessed through a gateway in the wall). Here you can see remnants of the Granite Industry, including stones that have been cut using the plug and feathers technique. Retrace your steps back along the linear route until you come to a 3rd stile which takes you back onto a forest road. Follow the road until you reach a fork in the road. Take the left hand road and continue until you reach the BOGIE LINE. Turn right to descend onto Bogie Hill and the main A2 road. NB – the trail on the open mountainside is very narrow and is not waymarked, in order to minimise visual disruption. WARNING – The trail includes quarries with loose spoil, old workings and unprotected drops. It is recommended that visitors keep to the trail.
Point of Interest
Harbour and Town, Natural Habitat
Dog Policy
Dogs are allowed. Dogs must be kept on leads
Facilities
Wide range of eateries to suit all tastes in Newcastle. The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility: – Disabled toilets – (South Promenade)
Accessibility Grade
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
Granite Trail (Bogie Line & Drinneevar Loop)
I took the ‘easier’ route – walked up the steps across the road from the harbour (sign posted), then up a steep path between houses. The path then changes between wide steps and granite paths, damp in parts.
There are granite mining artifacts and information boards on the route – very interesting – I had not seen before.
I didn’t go through the gate/fenced-off area as the view was stunning where I was.
You do need to be ‘fit’ – and you do need to watch your footing going down as loose chippings.
WELL WORTH THE EFFORT!