Slievenaboley

The walk up Slievenaboley from Castlewellan side is straightforward enough - nothing that'll have you scrambling over loose rock or cursing your trainers. The summit sits at a decent height without being one of those exhausting slogs that leaves you questioning your fitness for the rest of the week. What makes it worth the effort is the view across the Mourne range, particularly on a clear day when you can pick out the surrounding peaks and the patchwork of fields falling away beneath you.

It's a solid choice for walkers who want something manageable rather than punishing, and families with older kids will find the terrain reasonable. The route itself is well-trodden, which means fewer navigation headaches but also that you won't have the place to yourself on a decent weekend. Allow a couple of hours for the round trip depending on your pace.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby glamping spots - Slieve Croob Camping and Pine Tree Hollow are both rated highly and sit within a couple of miles - this works well as a morning outing before exploring the other Mourne peaks. It's not the most dramatic summit in the range, but it punches above its weight as a quick introduction to the area's walking without requiring the full day commitment of tackling Slieve Donard or the Brandy Pad circuit. Go early if you can, especially in summer, to avoid the crowds.