Silent Valley Mountain Park: Mourne area guide

Before your visit

Start: Main gates on Head Road, Kilkeel, BT34 4HU; the visitor car park is at the southern end.
Distance: Reservoir Trail 1.7 km return; Ben Crom road 10 km return.
Access: The Reservoir Trail includes gravel and steep steps. The Ben Crom tarmac approach is separate from the dam stairs.
Dogs: Keep dogs on leads.
Facilities: Toilets, picnic facilities and a café are listed; check dated opening and park closing arrangements.
Access notice: On 9 October 2026, NI Water listed a landslide closure of the lower loop of the Nature Trail. Check the latest notice before visiting.

Checked 9 October 2026. NI Water: Silent Valley visitor information · NI Water: Silent Valley trails · Official tourism: Silent Valley Mountain Park

For current opening, charges and access, check the operator before travelling. Bring what you need rather than relying on refreshments being open.

Silent Valley’s reservoir sits against a mountain backdrop. The park trails offer a way to explore the setting and discover the engineering that changed the valley.

Work on the reservoir began in 1923, and it opened in 1933. The visitor centre tells the story of the workforce, stone cutting and the temporary settlement called Watertown. The reservoir still supplies drinking water today.

Visitor approach: Head Road, near Kilkeel
Reservoir history: Work began in 1923; opened in 1933

What to look out for

Reservoir and mountain landscape
Water-supply engineering history
Watertown and workers’ stories

Find your bearings

Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

See where this place sits in the Mourne landscape before planning your visit.

A little perspective for your day

From the coast to the high ground.

Loading the map connects to OpenStreetMap. Pins show locations, not a walking route or permission to enter.

Plan your visit

Check NI Water’s latest opening, entry and trail notices before travelling. Use designated visitor routes. Swimming and other water activities are prohibited; this is a working water-supply site.

Visitor information & access →

Sources & further reading

Checked 2026-10-08: NI Water · NI Water visitor-centre history · NI Water trail information · NI Water reservoir safety guidance.

A little time in the valley

How far is the return walk from Silent Valley to Ben Crom?

NI Water lists the walk from Silent Valley to Ben Crom as 10 km return, approximately six miles in total.

It follows the tarmac reservoir road and is graded level one by NI Water. You walk back the same way; the distance already includes that return. Allow for the whole outing and the park’s closing time. The easy grade does not make a 10 km walk a short stroll.

Read the Ben Crom return walk →

Read the source: NI Water — Silent Valley trails · NI Water — Silent Valley visitor information and current notices

Can I visit Silent Valley without walking to Ben Crom?

Yes. Ben Crom is the longer valley outing, not the only reason to visit. You can spend time in the reservoir grounds and, when open, the visitor centre. Choose a short trail from the current on-site information and read its terrain grade: the Reservoir Trail includes stepped ground. When checked on 9 October 2026, NI Water’s visitor page carried a landslide closure notice for the lower loop of the Nature Trail, so do not assume every short trail is available.

Plan the rest of the day →

Read the source: NI Water: Silent Valley visitor information · NI Water: Silent Valley trails · NI Water: Silent Valley Visitor Centre

Where do I check opening times, entry charges and closures?

Use Forest Service’s Tollymore page and recreation-charge list; Castlewellan’s council visitor information; NI Water’s Silent Valley page; and National Trust’s Murlough page. These operators publish the details that can change, including vehicle charges, facilities and temporary access restrictions. Check again close to your visit and follow the signs at the entrance. Newcastle parking and public toilets have separate council directories.

Explore Newcastle and nearby places →

Read the source: Forest Service recreation charges · Forest Service: Tollymore Forest Park · Forest Service: Castlewellan Forest Park · NI Water: Silent Valley visitor information · National Trust: Murlough National Nature Reserve · Council: car parking · Council: public toilets

Researched 9 October 2026. Opening, charges, services and access can change. Check the linked operator again close to your visit.

Make more of your visitPlan the rest of your visitRead the guide →

Silent Valley Mountain Park.