Newcastle

Ancient granite peaks rise like sleeping giants from emerald farmland, their weathered shoulders cloaked in purple heather and golden gorse. This corner of the Mournes feels properly wild - a landscape where stone walls snake across hillsides and sheep tracks disappear into morning mist.

The walking here is absolutely cracking. Slieve Commedagh and Slieve Beg offer proper mountain days out, while Cove Mountain provides gentler rambles with views that stretch to the Irish Sea on clear days. Slieve Corragh's summit rewards the steep climb with panoramic vistas across the entire Mourne range.

Tollymore National Outdoor Centre serves as the area's adventure hub, offering everything from rock climbing courses to guided hill walks. The nearby forest paths wind through ancient oak and beech, eventually leading to The Drinns viewpoint - a rocky outcrop that's become something of a local Instagram hotspot.

History buffs will appreciate the souterrain, an underground Iron Age structure that speaks to the area's deep past. White Fort viewpoint offers another glimpse into antiquity, its earthworks commanding strategic views across the valley below.

Castlewellan sits just a short drive away, providing shops and cafes when you need a proper break from the hills. Getting here from Belfast takes about an hour by car via the A1, though the country roads slow things down once you're in the Mournes proper.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense - you're right at the foot of some of Northern Ireland's finest walking country, with trails literally on your doorstep.