The mountian trail -
Tollymore forest
We will be starting and finishing in Tollymore forest car park, a short distance from Newcastle. The route has sturdy path underfoot but you will need good walking shoes or boots if it has been raining.
Passing through the Forest Plots, the Mountain Trail enters a beech woodland, which in the spring is covered in bluebells.
The route runs parallel with the Shimna River before crossing it over the Boundary Bridge.
The trail continues along one of the Shimna’s tributaries through mature conifer forest. Good views of Luke’s mountain can be had as the trail reaches the boundary wall before zigzagging back toward the Spinkwee River, crossing at the Hore’s bridge.
The second half of the Mountain Trail passes through conifer plantations at various stages of maturity before reaching the second crossing point of the Shimna River at the Ivy Bridge.
The return route to the car park proceeds along the old river drive passing Foley’s bridge and the dramatic Shimna Gorge before returning up the Green Rig.