Slievenacappel

The walk up Slievenacappel isn't a famous one, which is rather the point. You're climbing a proper mountain without the crowds that swarm Slieve Donard just across the border. From Newry, it's straightforward enough to reach - the peak sits at around 600 metres, making it a serious hill rather than an epic slog.

What you get for the effort is genuine. The views sweep across the Mourne range in one direction and out towards the Newry area in the other. On a clear day - and this is Northern Ireland, so clear days aren't guaranteed - you can see far enough to make the climb feel worthwhile. The terrain varies between boggy moorland and rockier sections higher up, so proper boots aren't optional.

This one rewards walkers who know what they're doing. Families with young legs will manage it, but there's no café at the top, no facilities, no shortcuts. Allow a solid three hours for the round trip, longer if you're taking it leisurely. The best time is late spring through early autumn when the ground isn't a complete bog.

If you're staying at Hilltop Hideaway just over 2 miles away - a lovely spot with that hot tub for afterwards - Slievenacappel makes an excellent half-day objective. It's the kind of walk that leaves you genuinely tired but properly satisfied, without feeling like you've been on some manufactured tourist route.