- Created: September 27, 2012 1:10 pm
- Updated: December 12, 2017 11:00 am
- Distance Instructions
- Distance 17 km
- Time 0 s
- Speed 0.0 km/h
- Min altitude 105 m
- Peak 562 m
- Climb 503 m
- Descent 513 m
A 13km long moderate loop walk to the summit of Slieve Gullion.
The mountain is an extinct volcano within an area of special volcanic activity known as the Ring of Gullion. Slieve Gullion has a crater lake, the highest burial cairn in Ireland, stunning views of 9 counties from the summit on a good day and a great visitor centre.
The walk starts at the car park near the Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre and is relativity straightforward to the summit of Slieve Gullion. It takes in a small section of the 35km long Gullion Way and passes a variety of archaeological, historical, geological and mythological points of interest.
ROUTE
This walking route is relatively easy to follow along defined paths for much of the walk. You only venture off the path on the summit ascent and descent and the key waypoints are described below to ensure you will not miss any turn.
This loop walk starts and ends in the car park near the Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre located in Slieve Gullion Forest Park. Remember to allow enough time for this walk, 4.5 hours including breaks for food and stops at points of interest should be more that sufficient. If you do not judge it right, you might end up locked in the car park.
Leave the car park at an information panel and follow the path uphill for about 1km until you reach the upper forest drive which is waymarked for the Ring of Gullion Way walking route.
Continue on this path along the southern slopes of Slieve Gullion for about 2km until you reach the upper car parking area on your left hand side.
Approx. 50m beyond the upper car park a white marker identifies where the mountain path to the summit begins. Do not miss this marker.
This mountain path is initially steep but the slope becomes easier as you climb passing over a stile and eventually reach a stone shelter. Past the shelter the path becomes steep again as you approach the summit of Slieve Gullion and the Southern Cairn. You can explore the burial chamber via a passageway in the side of the cairn.
From here travel north west along the plateau passing Calliagh Berras Lough and onto the Northern Cairn.
Continue on the path and descend for about 2km down the north side of the mountain passing through 2 gates before reaching the Ballard Road.
Turn right at Ballard Road and follow the path until you reach the Killevy Old Churches on your left, Blines Holy Well on your right on the hill above, Clonlum South Cairn Portal Tomb on your left and Killevy Castle on the right. A further 2km down this road you must turn right at the cross roads and arrive at the Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre and the car park.
This is a great walk with superb views but can be very boggy in parts after rain and or coarse it is a mountain walk so care is needed. It is important that you wear the right footwear and carry adequate supplies for this walk.
A 13km long moderate loop walk to the summit of Slieve Gullion.
The mountain is an extinct volcano within an area of special volcanic activity known as the Ring of Gullion. Slieve Gullion has a crater lake, the highest burial cairn in Ireland, stunning views of 9 counties from the summit on a good day and a great visitor centre.
The walk starts at the car park near the Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre and is relativity straightforward to the summit of Slieve Gullion. It takes in a small section of the 35km long Gullion Way and passes a variety of archaeological, historical, geological and mythological points of interest.
ROUTE
This walking route is relatively easy to follow along defined paths for much of the walk. You only venture off the path on the summit ascent and descent and the key waypoints are described below to ensure you will not miss any turn.
This loop walk starts and ends in the car park near the Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre located in Slieve Gullion Forest Park. Remember to allow enough time for this walk, 4.5 hours including breaks for food and stops at points of interest should be more that sufficient. If you do not judge it right, you might end up locked in the car park.
Leave the car park at an information panel and follow the path uphill for about 1km until you reach the upper forest drive which is waymarked for the Ring of Gullion Way walking route.
Continue on this path along the southern slopes of Slieve Gullion for about 2km until you reach the upper car parking area on your left hand side.
Approx. 50m beyond the upper car park a white marker identifies where the mountain path to the summit begins. Do not miss this marker.
This mountain path is initially steep but the slope becomes easier as you climb passing over a stile and eventually reach a stone shelter. Past the shelter the path becomes steep again as you approach the summit of Slieve Gullion and the Southern Cairn. You can explore the burial chamber via a passageway in the side of the cairn.
From here travel north west along the plateau passing Calliagh Berras Lough and onto the Northern Cairn.
Continue on the path and descend for about 2km down the north side of the mountain passing through 2 gates before reaching the Ballard Road.
Turn right at Ballard Road and follow the path until you reach the Killevy Old Churches on your left, Blines Holy Well on your right on the hill above, Clonlum South Cairn Portal Tomb on your left and Killevy Castle on the right. A further 2km down this road you must turn right at the cross roads and arrive at the Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre and the car park.
This is a great walk with superb views but can be very boggy in parts after rain and or coarse it is a mountain walk so care is needed. It is important that you wear the right footwear and carry adequate supplies for this walk.
