No visit to Northern Ireland is complete without a trip to Mourne mountains and Slieve Donard, the highest peak in the province. The ascent of the 853m-high peak is the classic hill walk in the region, and those who accept the challenge are richly rewarded for their efforts. The mountain’s eastern slopes sweep famously to the sea, while the bustling town of Newcastle – with its wide range of visitor amenities - lies at the foot of the peak to the north. With such a combination of scenery and accessibility, its little wonder the mountain is a magnet for local and visiting walkers alike. Slieve Donard owes its name to St Domangard, a fifth century chieftan who was converted to Christianity by St Patrick. Domangard was so inspired by the mountain that he built a prayer cell at the summit. A stone tower still marks the high point, though the modern version was constructed in the early 1900s as part of the Mourne Wall. The large summit cairn and a smaller one about 100m north have been around rather longer however, and have graced the top for over 3000 years. There are many possible routes up the mountain, however the most popular trails begins from Donard Park in Newcastle, and approaches the peak via the Glen River Track. The routes begin with wonderful sections along the banks of tumbling streams, which stand in complete contrast to the bare summit slopes above. The paths combine at the Mourne Wall to make routefinding a relatively simple matter. But wherever you begin your walk, there’s no avoiding the amount of ascent you’ll have to contend with. All routes start at sea level and the upper slopes are steep and sustained, gaining around three hundred vertical metres in less than a kilometre during the final push to the top. As you’d imagine the summit itself offers a supreme viewpoint, and a perfect place to survey the Mourne range. The wider panorama encompasses most of Northern Ireland while across the Irish Sea you should be able to identify the Isle of Man and even parts of the Scottish coast. If you’re in the area on a clear day, grab the chance and go for it – you won’t be disappointed!