Before the days shorten and the winter creeps in, we are going to do a Mournes walk. Paula has walked a nice route which should be perfect for our group, it is the HEN, COCK AND PIGEON ROCK walk, it will be on Sunday 2nd October, with a meetup at 10 am, with a 10.15 am start
Walk Details :- This area of the Mournes seems to be less busy than some of the areas further east. This walk involves three peaks, although none of them are particularly high or difficult. However, there is still the challenge of a good walk involving three mountains. If we get a clear day, the views are really spectacular. The uphill climbing should be completed by lunchtime, then the return walk is on a stony path gently sloping downhill. The walk should take us about 5 hours, including lunch, bearing in mind that we will probably take the ascents at a gentle, steady pace.
Getting there and meeting up :- This walk is in the far west of the Mournes, so the best way to get there from Belfast is to take the motorway south, head for Banbridge, then Rathfriland then Hilltown. There is a main crossroads in Hilltown; take the left turning which will be the Kilkeel Road. After a couple of miles, there is another crossroads. Take the right turn and almost immediately you will see Sandybank car park on your right. This is where we are meeting up. Right in front of you will be Hen Mountain, our first peak. Note: There are no toilets in the car park (although there are some bushes nearby for the less modest).
Link on walkni website for more information:
http://www.walkni.com/walks/578/hen-cock-and-pigeon-rock/