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Welcome!
Hello from our Walking Group!
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The Mid-Ulster Mountaineers: Year of the Hallion
The Mid-Ulster Mountaineers: Year of the Hallion
Mark Jameson on the Mid-Ulster Mountaineersâ maiden yearâŠ
I  thought I would end 2019 with a long-anticipated sunrise hike to the summit of Doan. An early start leaving Portadown at 0545, my long suffering wife and Mourne widow made a breakfast fit for a king to set me on my way. I drove up to Ott Car Park expecting a hefty crowd, especially as the weather gave a sunny clear day. I was met onlyâŠ
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Robin Quigley: What I pack in my camera bag
Robin Quigley: What I pack in my camera bag
Hereâs photographer Robin Quigleyâs take on what to take in your camera bag when heading on a landscape photography shootâŠ
I always wince when Iâm on a landscape hike and get stuck behind a photographer going out with a carry-on for a flight. I get eyed up as I stroll past with my little backpack, ready for the great outdoors. Sorry folks, but Iâm on a few hoursâ adventure, not a weekend cityâŠ
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Northern Ireland has an abundance of wonders and sights to see â both natural and man-made. The Silent Valley is no exception to that.
I had visited this stunning location many years ago as a young child and so I had no real memories of the place. I recently had a quiet week off work, and this was the perfect opportunity to visit a few well-known locations not far from where I live.
READ: Capturing the Perfect Landscape or Seascape Shot
Before I dive in, let me introduce myself â my name is Niamh. I am from Newry and have lived there my whole life. I am a photography hobbyist, having purchased a Nikon D3400 in September last year my interest in photography has grown and I love the chance to get out with my camera and get a few snaps. There are so many different techniques, types of photography and gadgets to get your head around â but the results can be so satisfying.
I absolutely love the road from Newry up to this part of the country. Shortly after you pass Hilltown youâre in the mountains and it feels like stepping into rural Irelandâ if anyone has been to Donegal, it reminds me of the mountainous roads there. Youâre surrounded by the tall mountains of the Mournes, which rise to greet you on either side of the winding road.
READ: Climbing Slieve Binnian in Wintertime
On my way to the Valley I always stop at Spelga Dam Reservoir â another man-made wonder, itâs worth a stop for sure. Spelga Dam was built as part of the overall project to supply water to Co. Down and parts of Belfast and was constructed in the mid-20th Century. You probably wonât spend too much time here, especially if itâs a cold or windy day, as there isnât a huge amount to see here. There is a small car park so you can stop and get out for a walk around the short path and over to two wooden platforms for viewing.
If you veer to the left, youâll come to a bridge with a small waterfall â this leads to the second viewing platform and a wooded area. If youâre lucky, you can see some of the wild trout that reside in the reservoir swimming up the waterfall (most likely to lay eggs) and itâs quite something to see! I saw this myself just recently as Brown Trout will spawn right up until late November.
READ: A Little Snapshot Trek of Northern Ireland
From Spelga Dam, itâs another 15 minutes or so to the Silent Valley and for this one you do have to pay a small entry fee of ÂŁ4.50 per car. Thereâs a sizeable car park and toilets nearby before you start, which I would recommend using beforehand! Youâll also need to check opening times for whatever time of year it is, as it can close between 4pm and 9pm, depending on when you make the trip.
In your welcome map you will see several routes marked out that you can take â I have completed the Nature Trail (1.1 miles), the Reservoir Trail and the Mountain Trail. From the car park you can also see the pair of Red Squirrels recently introduced to the area or stop and feed the ducks in the small lake.
READ: Trek Report: Rocky Mountain
The walk up to the reservoir itself will take about 10 minutes although you may want to stop along the way as there are markers and signs that will tell you a little about the history of Silent Valley and its creation â I found this completely fascinating. The project began in 1903 with the first challenge being to divert water from the Kilkeel and Annalong rivers to a reservoir near Carryduff. In 1923 work then began to build the dam in what was then known as âHappy Valley.â This part of the project took 10 years plus the hard work and dedication of 2000 men.
The area was developed into a small village known appropriately as âWatertown.â On the walk to the reservoir make sure to stop at the reconstructed house which would have been typical of the residents in Watertown. At its peak, there was a cinema, and a railway system to bring men to and from the site of construction.
The Slieve Binnian tunnel was then dug and constructed between 1949 and 1952, with the Ben Crom reservoir being added by 1957. The men faced a number of challenges (which is why it took 10 years!) but ultimately the project was a major success and Silent Valley plus itâs additional reservoirs now supply around 30 million gallons of water to approx. 400,000 people.
You can follow Niamh on Instagram.
Why not subscribe to our mailing list while youâre here?
Visiting the Silent Valley Northern Ireland has an abundance of wonders and sights to see â both natural and man-made. The Silent Valley is no exception to that.
Capturing the Perfect Landscape or Seascape Shot
Capturing the Perfect Landscape or Seascape Shot
I was kindly asked if I would like to write an article about landscape and seascape photography and how I take my pictures, so whether youâre getting up early for sunrise or heading out late in the afternoon for sunset, here are a few tips to help you prepare and hopefully catch that beautiful moment on film (memory card).
For the purposes of this article, Iâll be talking about a sunset picture IâŠ
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Climbing Slieve Binnian in Wintertime
Climbing Slieve Binnian in Wintertime
Fancy taking on Slieve Binnian this winter? Here are some handy tipsâŠ
Hi, I am Darren Craig (30) and I work as an Application Specialist and Part Time Motorcycle instructor from Glengormley. In my spare time I am a keen outdoor activity enthusiast. There is not a weekend that goes by that I am not out doing something outdoor-related. Activities and interests include running (road and trail), hillâŠ
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A Little Snapshot Trek of Northern Ireland
A Little Snapshot Trek of Northern Ireland
Hi folks, my name is Mark. I am a local landscape photographer based in Carrickfergus on the outskirts of Belfast in Northern Ireland. I am going to share some of the wonders that we are so lucky to have in Northern Ireland.
READ: Trek Report: Rocky Mountain
Letâs head north to the fantastic Causeway coastal route, a stunning place with rock formations like the famous hexagonal stones that makeâŠ
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On what was a chilly November Saturday morning, 12 of us met at the entrance to Dunnywater on the Head Road. The plan for the day was to ascend Rocky Mountain whilst taking in some of the lesser-travelled peaks on the way there and also on the way back to Dunnywater.
READ: A Looped Walk in the Dromara Hills
We left the start point and headed off towards Rourkes Park picking up the path which takes you up onto Round Seefin. From there we picked up the Mourne Wall and followed it up onto Long Seefin where we stopped to admire the views across onto Binnian and Chimney Rock flanking us on either side and Donard and Commedagh straight ahead, although the later two were shrouded in cloud.
After something to eat and a warm cuppa we set off on our way again following the Mourne Wall to the stile at the bottom of Rocky. Then after a short ascent we again stopped for a few minutes to admire the stunning views across the majority of the High Mournes from the summit. Glad that the majority of the ascent was over for the day we then headed down the gentle decent off the back of Rocky towards the Annalong Buttress picking up the river which runs from the Bog of Donard down to Hares Castle which was our next destination, and more importantly the lunch stop. Hares Castle, although short in stature, does not disappoint with its views with Binnian, Doan, Ben Crom, Lamagan, Cove and Beg, all within sight from our lunch stop at the quarry face.
READ: Slieve Commedagh Overnighter: A Sunrise Spectacular
Feeling full of energy after the lunch we set of again â this time the Binnian Tunnel was the destination. After crossing the river we followed the now very faint quarry track for about 500metres before a bit of cross-country across some boggy ground and another river crossing, and after about 30 minutes we reached the Binnian Tunnel. After a short stop to read and admire the stories of the people who built the tunnel it was off out through Dunnywater to the start.
The Trek NI Walking Group meets regularly for adventures throughout Northern Ireland â get in touch if youâd like to join!
Why not subscribe to our mailing list while youâre here?
Trek Report: Rocky Mountain On what was a chilly November Saturday morning, 12 of us met at the entrance to Dunnywater on the Head Road.
A Looped Walk in the Dromara Hills
A Looped Walk in the Dromara Hills
After two days of grungy weather, Friday 8 November arrived with clear skies, no wind and crisp, clear, cold air â just the day for a bracing walk. Family responsibilities necessitated a return home to Ballynahinch by mid-afternoon so after discussing a few destination options, my wife and I plumped for the Dromara Hills, as the area is close to home as well as scoring high on our list ofâŠ
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Slieve Commedagh Overnighter: A Sunrise Spectacular
Slieve Commedagh Overnighter: A Sunrise Spectacular
Fancy an overnight camp on Slieve Commedagh? Aidan Parryâs got you coveredâŠÂ
The âpre gameâ
Iâm a busy person. I work long hours, married, have two young daughters and I ainât got much time on my hands. When I see the opportunity to be in the mountains, Iâm gone! I had a short window of time from I finished work on Saturday until around Sunday lunch time when the family were getting together forâŠ
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Camping in the High Mournes
Camping in the High Mournes
Some of my fondest memories of summer holidays as a schoolboy are of camping trips into the High Mournes with my cousin. As a teenager, every school holiday provided another opportunity for a Mourne adventure. Fast forward to August 2019, and a week off work with no concrete plans would mean only one thing! I checked the weather forecast for the week ahead (something we never really had theâŠ
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Portbradden to Dunseverick: Six Go Adventuring on the Causeway Coast
Portbradden to Dunseverick: Six Go Adventuring on the Causeway Coast
With three energetic kids and a husky pup to amuse (tire out!) while out walking itâs all about rugged landscapes for us as a family. The Causeway Coast is ideally suited to a walk on the wild side, with its dramatic scenery and various points of interest along the way making it the perfect place to go on an exciting adventure. If you want to enjoy a walk thatâs not too long in distance but atâŠ
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Carnanelly: A Taste of the Sperrins
Carnanelly: A Taste of the Sperrins
Northern Ireland has its lot of beautiful places to visit, but if you are looking for peace and tranquility along with great views, and if you like to wander off the beaten track and donât really mind a bit of wet ground, then you will love the Sperrins. On my quest to climb all the Irish +500m summits, I first visited the area in May 2017. I started with a late ascent of Mullaghcarn the day IâŠ
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The Old Track up to Mullaghclogha
The Old Track up to Mullaghclogha
Simon recently followed the old track to Mullaghclogha in the Sperrins. Hereâs how he got onâŠ
I took a Friday off back in August and even though my job has me out in the countryside all the time trudging across bogs I still feel the need to head out into the hills when I get a chance.
Iâd seen a rough track on google maps that led up into the western end of the Sperrins and I had to go and seeâŠ
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