Aughanduff Upper Mountain

Getting to the summit of Aughanduff Upper feels like proper work, but once you're up there the whole Mourne landscape spreads out beneath you - it's the kind of view that makes the climb worthwhile. The mountain sits within that brilliant horseshoe of peaks south of Newry, and the path winds through moorland with gorse and heather that can look either glorious or utterly bleak depending on the weather.

This is walker territory, full stop. You're looking at a decent climb with no shortcuts, so come prepared with decent boots and a map or offline download of the route. The summit itself is marked but understated - no grand cairn or fanfare, just you and the hills. Allow a good three to four hours for the round trip if you're a moderate hiker; faster if you know the mountains.

The real appeal here is solitude and that sense of being properly out there. Families with young kids won't find much to hold their attention beyond the legs-burning factor. But if you're staying nearby - the Hilltop Hideaway pods just under two miles away make an ideal base - adding this to a broader Mourne walking trip makes total sense.

Visit when the weather's settled enough to see something. A grey drizzly day and you're hiking through cloud with precious little reward. Summer brings midges though, so spring and autumn are your sweetest windows. Completely free, obviously - it's a mountain. Just bring everything you need.