Get Lost Mountaineering

Slieve Binnian from Carrick Little

Start/Finish

Car park at J 345 219 which is on the road which passes the entrance to the Silent Valley but about 2.5 miles from it. At this point a raod goes SSE and a track goes N. There is usually a sign for Carrick Cottage Cafe which is up the track. There are also car parks up the track but these may be chargeable.

Distance/Time

7 km      About 3 – 4 hours

Peaks

Slieve Binnian, 747 m, J 320 234. (Irish National Grid System)

Irish OS Discovery Series Map 29: The Mournes (1:50000)

Harvey Superwalker XT25: Mourne Mountains (1:25000)

OSNI Activity Map: The Mournes (1:25000)

Introduction

Slieve Binnian is the most attractive mountain in the Mournes due to the large number of tors on its crest. These are well worth exploring but some are difficult to climb. Fortunately the summit can be reached quite easily. This is a much easier route than from the Silent Valley and navigation is fairly straightforward as the Mourne Wall is followed, almost to the crest, once the main track is left. This is the most popular route to the Slieve Binnian so arrive early at busy times to be sure of being able to park. If you only have time for one walk in the Mournes, this is the one to do!

Route

(1) Walk up the track. Pass the entrance for the cafe and keep going until you pass through an iron gate. The Mourne Wall is now on your left. Soon after, a path forks left from the track and follows the Mourne Wall uphill. The ascent steepens in places and multiple paths have developed over the years. Eventually, the summit crest comes into view and a stile over the wall (do not cross!) is passed just before the final climb to an obvious gap in the crest.Reach the shallow dip between the summit tor and the one just to its N. The most northerly tor, recognised by having 3 flat boulders on its top, is easily ascended by going over to its N side then walking up grass and very easy slabs. From here, reaching the true summit looks impossible but is actually quite easy. Go back to the dip, follow a path for about 30 m until it runs out. Either go left through a slightly awkward groove or retrace a little and climb some open stepped rock. Both these lead to the crest and it is little more than a walk over grass and easy rock to reach the higher iron post which is about a metre from the highest point and this is the summit of Slieve Binnian, 747 m.

(2) Retrace the outward route

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 20^th May, 2019.