Activity Breaks

All action activities in the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion

If it’s adventure and activity that you’re after, then the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion has more nooks to cycle through, crannies to climb and beautiful terrain to traipse across than any other part of Northern Ireland. Outdoor pursuits are everywhere here, and whether you come looking for organised fun in small groups or you just fancy heading off into the wilds of the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion yourself, you will be more than amply catered for.

Somewhere to stop… before you really get going

Speaking of catering, many outdoor types like to do their very own and there are some really cosy and comfortable places to stay right across the region. Green Holiday Cottages are set in a secluded setting beside the Kilkeel river. The accommodation sits in peaceful countryside but is still close enough to local towns like Newcastle, Rostrevor & Castlewellan. You are surrounded by trees and around every corner you’ll catch glimpses of the ever-present Mournes.

If you’re bringing the kids, there is a playground and plenty of space for them to run around safely. On a fine day, you might even be able to rope them into making their own pizzas in the specially built outdoor ovens.

A slightly more rustic, but no less cosy experience awaits guests at the Hemp Cottage near the village of Crossgar. This award-winning eco house was built using a timber frame, hemp & lime walls and natural insulation materials.  A perfect retreat for couples, the cottage is a quiet, rural enclave beside a river. You can even get your dinner or lunch from the garden.  

Both of these special self-catering options are close to a number of walking trails and other activities. If the truth be told, nowhere is ever too far away from outdoor pursuits around here. All you have to do is walk out your door and embrace the surrounding countryside.

A little help with your bearings

If you need a little guidance, then Peter Rafferty is on a personal mission to offer you the experience of a lifetime. Peter runs the Men of the Mournes tour and you can join him to stretch your legs, broaden your knowledge of Visit Mourne and have a bit of craic along the way too. Though the tour lasts around five hours, groups are kept small and go at a gentle pace to allow you to take in the sights, stories and sounds of the enchanting Mourne Mountains.

Maybe you fancy getting in the saddle and upping the ante a little on the Trails & Ales Experience. This fully guided cycling tour along some iconic trails of the Mournes offers great insights into the area and fabulous views across the dozens of peaks. You’ll no doubt get thirsty along the way, so it’s just as well you’ll be treated to a select batch of the Mourne Mountains Brewery’s locally produced ales. The standard tour lasts around five hours and includes refreshments, tasty brews and of course everything you need to cycle safely across these majestic mountains. Whether you take the Red Trail across the Castlewellan Estate or go for the Mourne Gold trail down the stunning Spelga Descent, this is a great and fun way to see the region.

There are of course many ways to see a mountain, and the team at Geology Rocks Adventure Tourism sure know some shortcuts to the top of one or two peaks in the area. If your thing is to climb, then these are the team to go with. They have rock climbing for all stages and are happy to show novice climbers the ropes or give those with more experience a firmer foothold in this increasingly popular sport.

Trekking, riding and bushcraft skills

That might just be a little too much for some so why not try something that keeps you a little closer to terra firma. Ireland is known for its love of horses and is inextricably linked to the majestic animal. The heroes of Irish folklore roamed these lands on horseback for centuries and their descendants carry on the tradition today. The Mount Pleasant Trekking Centre has taken visitors on horseback through the Mournes and surrounding environs for over thirty-five years.  This family run business has a reputation for catering to the needs of riders both young and old and it is a lovely way to see the countryside.

Those who prefer down and dirty activities will love the wonderful School of Bushcraft in Finnebrogue Woods. This place offers visitors the chance to get out into nature and learn some skills around surviving in the wild. You start your own fires, build your own shelter and cook outdoors during an enjoyable and informative few hours of fun that is suitable for all the family. For a slightly grittier experience you also jump on the Wild Lives run by Anthonio Akkermans at Castle Ward. While Anthonio and his team can teach much of what others can teach you, he also offers that little extra. Students of this school can expect to come away with knowledge around earthenware pottery, willow baskets and stone knives. He’s even been known to show his small groups how to create and use a natural wilderness sauna as a method of staying clean.

Recover, recharge and prepare to return

After all that activity, you’re going to need to get those sugar levels back up. At NearyNógs Stoneground Chocolate Makers near Newry you’re in for a sweet treat. This family-run business is the first bean-to-bar chocolatier in Ireland and they are rightly proud of the way they work. Cacao beans at NearyNógs are ethically sourced and sustainable and the company pays above market value to ensure that the farmers get a living wage. You can find out all about how it works and sample the results with a tour of their factory. Numbers are kept to a maximum of ten which means when it comes to the tasting part of the tour there is plenty to go around.

Foodie adventurers will also enjoy the Catch to Cook Experience at the Mourne Seafood Cookery School where the team of top local chefs have worked hard to put together some great hands on cooking activities for those with aspirations of wowing in the kitchen. This is an ideal way to learn more about what to look for when buying, handling and cooking seafood and you’re sure to come away with all the knowledge of salmon.

If all that activity feels a little too much, then maybe the Sound of Silence Retreat at Xhale in the Ring of Gullion is the place for you. Founded by Ann Ward, Xhale offers immersive, mindfulness experiences and retreats using meditation and nature.

Between the cooking, fire-building, the mountain climbing and all the rest, it might be just what you need to top off your time away in the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion.