Mourne Wall Walk (South Section)
County Down
The Mourne Wall is a 22 mile granite masterpiece that rings the catchment of the Silent Valley reservoir, and the south section gives dog friendly handlers a huge day over Slieve Binnian, Slievelamagan and the stretch to Slieve Muck. Start at Carrick Little and follow the wall anticlockwise for the big peaks first.
Dogs can range off lead on the high ground once clear of the lower sheep fields, but must be leashed at the road start and when crossing the sheepfolds at Moolieve. Surfaces are stone pitched path, rough bog and granite blockfield, and the exposure on the summits is serious in bad weather. No facilities en route; bring water for the dog and plan ten hours for the full southern arc, shorter if you turn off at the Annalong valley.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 22.0 km (13.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 9 hr
- Walk Type
- Peak, Moorland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- None en route, nearest facilities at Annalong or the Silent Valley visitor centre.
- Parking
- Small honesty box car park at Carrick Little, roughly 30 spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mourne Wall Walk (South Section) dog friendly?
Mourne Wall Walk (South Section) scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness on Wildpack Collective, making it a solid choice for adventurous dog owners. It's a big, rewarding high-mountain traverse covering Slieve Binnian, Slievelamagan and beyond, so it suits dogs that are fit, confident on rough terrain, and happy with a long day out.
Can dogs be off lead at Mourne Wall Walk (South Section)?
Dogs can be let off lead once you're clear of the lower sheep fields and up onto the high ground, which gives them plenty of freedom across the peaks. However, leads are required at the road start near Carrick Little and when passing through the sheepfolds at Moolieve, so it's worth keeping one easily to hand throughout the day.
What should I know before visiting Mourne Wall Walk (South Section) with my dog?
This is a serious mountain day — plan for around ten hours for the full southern arc, with surfaces ranging from stone pitched path to rough bog and granite blockfield, and real exposure on the summits in bad weather. There are no facilities whatsoever en route, so bring plenty of water for your dog; the nearest amenities are in Annalong or at the Silent Valley visitor centre. If a shorter outing suits you better, turning off at the Annalong valley is a sensible option.
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