A dominating landscape

GreatRoads: In the latest of the Great Roads series, Bob Montgomery journeys through the Mourne mountains

GreatRoads:In the latest of the Great Roads series, Bob Montgomeryjourneys through the Mourne mountains

The mountains of Mourne dominate the landscape of south Co Down.

From the peak of Slieve Donard, the Isle of Man can be seen to the east, Lough Neagh to the west and Strangford Lough to the north. The Mournes also contain the Silent Valley Reservoir built to supply water to the growing city of Belfast.

We approached the Mourne region from Newry taking the B8 to Hilltown, from where we took the B27 signposted for Kilkeelm and with signs also for Silent Valley and Spelga Dam.

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Along its entire length, this is a fine road - well-surfaced, wide and providing views that are at times quite stunning. The dominant feature of the landscape, as we slowly climb towards Spelga Dam, is the twin peaked Hen Mountain to the south.

Actually it has three jagged peaks: Summit Tor (354m), South and West Tor. As we ascend Spelga Pass, Cock Mountain (505m) and Slievenamiskan (444m) rise up ahead. Reaching the double-hairpin corners above Glenaveagh Bridge, the River Bann flows close to the road - its source is nearby. From here, there are fine views back towards Hilltown and Rathfriland.

To the east of this point is Spelga Mountain (472m), and it is particularly striking just how many closely-packed peaks there are within the Mourne mountain range. Continuing on along the B27, we soon come to Spelga Dam and Reservoir where a plinth was erected in the car park to tell the story of the dam.

From its site, a series of peaks with wonderful names are visible to the south: Pigeon Rock Mountain (534m), Wee Slievemoughan (428m), Slievemoughanmore (559m) and Eagle Mountain (638m).

To the east, the view is dominated by Carn Mountain (588m) and Slieve Muck (674m). The B27 now turns south and begins to gently come down from the heights of the Mournes as it heads towards the coastal town of Kilkeel, passing Crocknafeola Wood as it does so.

Not long after the last of this forest area is passed, a signposted road to the east leads to the entrance of the Silent Valley Reservoir.

This is open to the public all year around and contains an exhibition centre as well as parkland, ponds, lakes and a coffee shop. It's a beautiful place and well worth the short diversion from the B27.

As the road finally comes to Kilkeel, one looks back on a gentler side of the Mournes than the more rugged northern side from where we began our journey. It's easy to understand how this area of such great natural beauty has down the years inspired so many poets and song writers.