Mourne Mountains (Trassey to Brandy Pad)

The Mourne Mountains are the highest and most dramatic range in Northern Ireland, and one of the finest ways to explore them is by following the historic Brandy Pad via the Trassey Track. Once used by smugglers carrying contraband brandy, tobacco, and other goods through the mountains, this old trail now makes for a superb hillwalk packed with history and scenery. The route begins along the Trassey Track, a well-worn path that climbs gradually into the heart of the Mournes. Soon the great bulk of Slieve Meelmore and Slieve Bearnagh loom ahead, their rocky tors guarding the skyline. The track leads past the Hare’s Gap, a dramatic mountain pass where the Brandy Pad begins. From here, the ancient smugglers’ route contours the northern flanks of the main Mourne ridge, giving spectacular views down to the valleys below and across to peaks such as Slieve Commedagh and Slieve Donard, the highest mountain in Northern Ireland. Walking the Brandy Pad is like stepping back in time, with the rugged Mourne Wall accompanying parts of the route. The combination of mountain drama, rich history, and sweeping panoramas makes this one of the most rewarding mid-level hikes in the Mournes.