The Mourne mountains are always in view and the sea is never far away on this relatively flat 12 mile route. This route passes Tollymore Forest Park, Maghera Old Church, Slidderyford Dolmen, Dundrum and Murlough Nature Reserve and finishes on the eastern end of the promenade with its many new art pieces.
| County | Down |
| Nearest Town | Newcastle |
| Distance | 12 miles miles |
| OS Map | Sheet 29 |
| Route Type | Coastal, Forest, Mountain, Urban |
| Route Shape | Circular |
| Public Roads | On Public Road |
| AONB | Mournes |
| Grid Ref (Start) | J376306 |
| Grid Ref (End) | J376306 |
Mainly flat terrain.
Tollymore Forest Park
Maghera Old Church
Murlough Nature reserve
The Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea close to the start and finish point of this short 12 mile loop from Newcastle. The mountains are always in view as you wind your way along this almost flat route with the sea never far away. Leaving Newcastle by Donard Park your route takes you towards Tollymore Forest Park where you can leave your bike and take a stroll through the arboretum before continuing along the Barbican Road. You continue past Maghera Old Church, with buildings dating back to the 10th century, to Maghera and shortly you pass by a huge standing stone by the roadside just a short distance from the Slidderyford Dolmen (no public access) in a field on the left. The route continues to Dundrum, with its castle overlooking the bay, then turns towards Newcastle, past Murlough Nature Reserve and onto a shared use footway into the town, before turning left towards the eastern end of the promenade with its many new art pieces.
From Newry take the A25 to Castlewellan then A50 to Newcastle.
From Belfast take the A24 to Clough then the A2 to Dundrum and Newcastle.
From Downpatrick take the A25 to Clough and A2 to Dundrum and Newcastle.
Traffic can be moderately heavy on parts of this route.
Ample carparking, toilet and refreshment facilities available in Newcastle. Dundrum and Maghera have toilet, refreshment and carparking facilities. Tollymore Forest Park has toilet & refreshment facilities.
This route has accessible toilet facilities.
Mostly flat route but traffic can be reasonably heavy on sections of the route.
Armagh & Down Cycling Guide
Tourisy Information Offices in Downpatrick and Newcastle.
www.armaghanddown.com
This information is provided by Countryside Access and Activities Network, The Stableyard, Barnett's Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5PB.
Tel: 028 9030 3930
Fax: 028 9062 6248
info@cycleni.com
www.countrysiderecreation.com
Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of the information. We cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions but where such are brought to our attention, the information will be amended accordingly.