Newcastle via the Glen River up Slieve Donard: route map, distance and time
850 m · Mourne Mountains · OS grid J358276
Slieve Donard is the highest mountain in Northern Ireland, rising above Newcastle in the Mourne Mountains with the Mourne Wall running over its summit.
A path follows the Glen River through forest and up the open valley to the col, then climbs beside the Mourne Wall to the summit.
Newcastle via the Glen River at a glance
| Distance | 4.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 837 m |
| Time up | 2h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Donard Park car park, Newcastle |
| Summit grid reference | J358276 |
Newcastle via the Glen River map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- O'Hare's Pub0.3 km
- Hugh McCann's Cafe/Bar0.3 km
- The Anchor Bar0.4 km
- Niki's Kitchen Café0.3 km
- Broadway Cafe0.5 km
- Birch Coffee0.5 km
- Public toilets0.3 km
- Public toilets0.7 km
- Public toilets0.7 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Newcastle via the Glen River takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 50m | 4h 0m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:57, sunset 18:19. Start by 14:04 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:59, sunset 18:17. Start by 14:02 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Slieve Donard summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Overcast, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 11 mph gusting 13 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:57, sunset 18:19.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 24 mph gusting 30 mph, 61% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:59, sunset 18:17.
Best day of the next seven for Newcastle via the Glen River: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 13 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 46% (Marginal), best around 05:00.
Hour-by-hour Slieve Donard forecast
Before you go, also check: Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -3°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Slieve Donard
Slieve Donard is the highest mountain in Northern Ireland, rising above Newcastle in the Mourne Mountains with the Mourne Wall running over its summit. More about Slieve Donard, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Marilyn, Arderin, Vandeleur-Lynam, historic county top, county top.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Slieve Commedagh (767 m), 1.5 km north-west
- Chimney Rock Mountain (656 m), 2.1 km south
- Cove Mountain (655 m), 2.2 km west
- Slieve Corragh (642 m), 2.3 km north-west
Challenges that include Slieve Donard
Other routes up Slieve Donard
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloody Bridge | 4.6 km one way | 824 m | 2h 20m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location, what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Newcastle via the Glen River: questions and answers
How far is Newcastle via the Glen River?
Newcastle via the Glen River is 4.7 km one way to the summit of Slieve Donard, with 837 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.4 km.
How long does Newcastle via the Glen River take?
About 2h 20m to the summit of Slieve Donard and 3h 15m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 4h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Newcastle via the Glen River?
Newcastle via the Glen River starts from Donard Park car park, Newcastle.
Is Newcastle via the Glen River suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Newcastle via the Glen River today?
By 14:04 at the latest. Sunset on Slieve Donard today is 18:19, Newcastle via the Glen River takes about 3h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Newcastle via the Glen River?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).