St Patrick’s Way, 9-day Walking Tour

Arrival into Armagh by public transport from Belfast or Dublin Airports.

On arrival into Armagh you have the opportunity to explore the cathedral city of Armagh, the home of the head of the major churches in Ireland. Take the short journey out to the Navan Centre and start your Pilgrims Journey walking back to Armagh.

Distance 5km (3mi). Ascents: 50m (160ft). Approximate walking time: 1.5 – 2 hours.

After breakfast in Armagh you depart on the St. Patrick’s Trail from the city along minor roads and country lanes through the Armagh countryside to Scarva on the Newry Canal.

Distance 25km (16mi). Ascents 300m (980ft). Approximate walking time 7 – 9 hours.

An easy walking day along the banks of the Newry Canal – the oldest canal in Ireland built in the 18th century to transfer coal from coalfields of County Tyrone to Carlingford Lough for export. Now mostly disused, it offers a sanctuary to birds and small wildlife who inhabit its banks.

Distance 20km (12mi). Ascents 50m (160ft). Approximate walking time 4 – 5 hours.

Starting from Newry soon you are rewarded with wonderful views of Carlingford Lough and the Cooley and Mourne Mountains on either side. This area on the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland borderlands is steeped in folklore which is told in Rostrevor in both Words & Music. The charming village of Rostrevor on the shores of Carlingford Lough is said to have inspired C.S. Lewis in his writings of the Narnia tales. St. Bronagh, a disciple of St. Patrick, set up a monastery in the area whose ruins can be seen today and date back to the 6th century. 

Distance 19km (11.8mi). Ascents 400m (1312ft). Approximate walking time 4 – 5 hours.

Today your walk takes you into the Mourne Mountains, firstly through Kilbroney Forest then onto open hillside trails to the village of Hilltown. Your overnight accommodation is located in a charming little farming village. With fewer than 1000 people, Hilltown has an impressive eight pubs in the high street, a legacy from 18th-century smugglers who shared their contraband here.

Distance 14km (9mi). Ascents 350m (1148ft). Approximate walking time 4 – 5 hours.

Returning to the trail from your accommodation, you quickly rise along the River Bann – Northern Ireland’s longest river – whose source is located in the Mourne Mountains. Walk across the western Mourne Mountain hills of Spelga and Spaltha and enjoy views back into the local countryside and the inner Mourne Mountains. For the second half of the day you enter Tollymore Forest Park before rising up to the outer reaches of the park into the shadows of Slievenabrock Mountain, where you are quickly rewarded with views of Newcastle and The Irish Sea at Dundrum Bay before meandering along quiet country trails into the seaside town of Newcastle.

Distance 22km (14mi). Ascents 550m (1800ft). Approximate walking time 6 – 7 hours.

After the last two days in the Mourne Mountains, today is easy walking along the beach from Newcastle and through the 6000 year old sand dunes of Murlough Nature Reserve to Dundrum, where you can explore the ruins of a 12th Century Norman Castle and its views of inner and outer Dundrum Bay and relax in the evening sampling some of the village’s famous seafood cuisine.

Distance 12km (7.5mi). Ascents 80m (260ft). Approximate walking time 3.5 – 4 hours.

The final walking day into Downpatrick starts along old disused railway tracks on the shores of inner Dundrum Bay before joining minor roads and country lanes as you make your way to Downpatrick. Be sure to stop and explore the 35m 3000-4000 year old Ballynoe Stone Circle, just off the trail.

Distance 22km (14mi). Ascents 300m (980ft). Approximate walking time 6 – 7 hours.

From Downpatrick you make your onward journey by public transport, but not before collecting your certificate of completion from the Downpatrick Centre.