Plan your day
Things to do in Newcastle, County Down
Find things to do in Newcastle, Northern Ireland: the beach, Donard Park, Granite Trail, Murlough and nearby forests, with ideas for your day out.
Read the guide →Mourne Guide / Plan your visit
Plan your visit.
From the first bus to the last stretch of trail, make a little room for planning.
Choose your kind of Mourne day.
Start with Newcastle, a gentler walk or a day-trip idea. Find the places and practical details that fit your plans.
Plan your day
Easy walks around the Mourne Mountains
Compare easy Mourne walks at Tollymore and Castlewellan, plus the longer Ben Crom valley route. Find distances, terrain, starting points and route guides.
Read the guide →
Plan your day
Mourne Mountains day trips: one-day ideas
Plan a Mourne Mountains day trip around Newcastle, Tollymore, Castlewellan or Silent Valley, with an option for Slieve Donard and practical onward links.
Read the guide →Choose your starting point
Newcastle is a useful base for the eastern Mournes. Forest parks offer a different day out from the high mountain routes. Check each walk’s start point before choosing transport or parking.
Getting here without a car
Use Translink’s journey planner for travel to Newcastle and onward connections. Enter your travel date and check the return journey before leaving. Rural and seasonal services can be limited, so check the timetable for your travel date.
Parking & access
Newcastle & mountain starts
Use the start information on your chosen route and check local signs on arrival. Keep roadways, gates and emergency access clear. Do not assume a roadside space is a permitted car park.
Official regional visitor information →
Tollymore Forest Park
Use the main park entrance and the trail information board. Check Forest Service information for current charges and facilities before travelling.
Tollymore visitor information →
Castlewellan Forest Park
Check the park’s visitor information for access, facilities and the trail you intend to follow. For step-free access, check the park’s accessibility information before choosing a trail.
Castlewellan visitor information →
Silent Valley
NI Water manages the reservoir visitor site. Check its current opening, entry and access notices; do not plan a late return without checking closing arrangements.
NI Water Silent Valley information →
Find your bearings
Open in OpenStreetMap ↗See where these places sit in the Mourne landscape. Choose a pin to open its guide.
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.
Newcastle essentials
Find the Tesco and Lidl locations, a selection of independent shops and the Mountain Rescue headquarters near Lidl. Check current store details with each operator before you travel.
Newcastle shops & essentials →
Leave room in the day
Bring food and water for the route rather than relying on a café being open. Check facilities with the operator. For accommodation, food and other places to visit, use the region’s official tourism listings.
Planning links checked 8 October 2026. Opening times, fees and services can change; the linked operator is the source for current details.