Bring the Dog: Walks With
Four-Legged Views

Northern Ireland’s first State Forest Park offers enchanting river trails, Gothic stone bridges, and Game of Thrones filming locations. Multiple loop options mean you can tailor the walk to your dog’s energy levels.

A flat, well-surfaced path circles the lake beneath Castlewellan Castle. Ideal for older dogs or families with pushchairs. The Peace Maze and Annesley Gardens are nearby for a longer day out.

C.S. Lewis wrote that the view from Rostrevor was “my idea of Narnia”. The Narnia Trail weaves through woodland with sculptures from the Chronicles, while higher paths reward with sweeping Carlingford Lough views.

A gentle stroll along Newcastle’s seafront promenade to the gates of Donard Park, with the sweep of the Mournes rising ahead. Pick up an ice cream along the way and let the dog splash at the water’s edge.

Starting from the Bloody Bridge car park south of Newcastle, this route follows the old smugglers’ path inland along the river before climbing to open moorland with dramatic coastal views back across Dundrum Bay.

Northern Ireland’s highest peak at 850 metres. The Glen River trail climbs through Donard Forest before reaching the exposed saddle and the Mourne Wall leading to the summit. A serious day out for fit dogs and fit owners.

Climb through Kilbroney woodland to reach the legendary Cloughmore Stone — a 50-tonne granite boulder said to have been hurled across Carlingford Lough by the giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill. The viewpoint is one of the finest in the Mournes.

A quiet, golden sandy beach at the mouth of Carlingford Lough. Far less busy than Newcastle, this is a perfect spot for dogs who love to swim. The views across to the Cooley Mountains make it feel wonderfully remote.

Walk around the iconic reservoir at the heart of the Mournes, enclosed by the famous Mourne Wall. The well-maintained paths pass the imposing stone dam with dramatic mountain peaks rising on all sides.

High in the Mournes at Spelga Dam, the open moorland of Deer’s Meadow stretches out beneath the peaks. This remote, windswept walk feels like true wilderness — the kind of place where you might not see another soul.

Ireland’s first nature reserve protects a 6,000-year-old dune system behind a vast golden beach. Boardwalk trails wind through the dunes before opening onto five miles of sand with the Mournes rising behind.

A flat, traffic-free greenway following the shore of Carlingford Lough between two charming towns. The path is surfaced and accessible, with mountain views on one side and the lough on the other. Perfect for a relaxed walk with the dog.