Rocky Mountain

The walk up Rocky Mountain from Newry takes you straight into proper mountain country, even though the peak itself sits at a modest height. What makes it worthwhile is the view across the Mourne range once you've done the graft - on a clear day you can see right across to Slieve Donard and beyond.

It's a straightforward hike rather than a technical climb. Allow two to three hours return depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the final push a bit steep for the effort. The path is well-trodden but can get boggy in wet weather, so proper boots matter more than you'd think.

Timing your visit for late afternoon gives you the best light for photos and means you'll dodge the worst of any morning mist. Spring and autumn are cracking seasons - you get clearer skies without the midges that can plague summer walks.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks dotted around the area - Kilbroney, Chestnutt, or Sandilands are all within a few miles of Newry - Rocky Mountain makes a decent half-day excursion that doesn't require driving far. It's more of a local's walk than a headline attraction, but that's partly its appeal. You won't be queuing, and you'll get a genuine sense of the Mourne landscape without needing to commit to the bigger peaks.