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Mourne Guide / Spelga Dam & Reservoir

Spelga Reservoir and Slieve Muck

Spelga Dam & Reservoir.

A 1950s reservoir in Deers Meadow, holding back the River Bann among the Mourne hills.

Spelga Reservoir and Slieve Muck. Photo credit & licence

Before your visit

Start
Use the reservoir car park on Kilkeel Road near Hilltown, BT34 5XL. The visitor lookout offers a reservoir view without a mountain ascent.
Distance
Treat this as a viewing stop. This guide does not provide a measured circuit around Spelga’s shore or permission to follow it all the way round.
Terrain and access
The visitor listing identifies accessible parking and an accessible toilet, along with picnic tables and benches. Those facilities do not establish a step-free route around the reservoir. Use designated viewing areas and keep clear of the road and operational entrances.
Dogs
Check NI Water’s local signs for any dog restrictions. Keep dogs under control and away from the water and restricted areas.
Toilets
The official visitor listing identifies an accessible toilet on site; the council lists Spelga Dam in its public-toilet directory. Check seasonal opening.
Refreshments
Bring a picnic or plan a food stop elsewhere. Picnic facilities are listed, but no café opening is promised here.
Access
Follow barriers and warning signs. Swimming, diving and paddleboarding are prohibited at NI Water’s reservoirs.

Checked 9 October 2026. Official tourism: Spelga Dam · Council: public toilets · NI Water: reservoir safety reminder

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

Spelga Reservoir occupies Deers Meadow and holds back the River Bann. Built in the 1950s, it offers a different setting from the reservoirs at Silent Valley.

The lookout at the Kilkeel Road car park gives you a view of the reservoir without adding a mountain climb to your day. Use designated viewing areas rather than assuming there is a route around the shore.

Setting
Kilkeel Road, near Hilltown
Construction
1950s
River
Bann

What to look out for

  • Deers Meadow setting
  • River Bann reservoir
  • Views from the listed visitor lookout

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.

© OpenStreetMap contributors · Map data & privacy

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

Plan your visit

Check current access and parking information and keep gates and roads clear. Follow NI Water signs: swimming and other water activities are prohibited.

Visitor information & access →

Sources & further reading

Checked 2026-10-09: Official regional visitor information · NI Water reservoir safety guidance.