There are mountains that loom, and then there are the Mournes, which seem to crouch and spring at you like a startled cat. One minute you’re meandering along the County Down coast, the next you’ve got granite peaks rising from the sea as if someone accidentally dropped Snowdonia in Ireland. Add a necklace of castles, cosy seaside towns, and woodlands that go full fireworks display in autumn, and you have the makings of a perfect road trip.
This journey ties together the soaring landscapes of the Mourne Mountains with a trail of crumbling fortresses and stately homes along the coast. It’s best savoured over three to five days, with plenty of stops for woodland walks, harbour strolls, and hearty dinners in pubs that seem designed for long autumn evenings.
Day 1 – Newcastle and the foothills of the Mournes
Start in Newcastle, a town with a grand Victorian promenade and the sort of sea air that makes you hungry before you’ve even parked the car. The Mournes rear up just behind the beach, and the effect is a little startling. This is not a mountain range that believes in subtle entrances.
Head to Tollymore Forest Park, where the Shimna River winds through ancient oaks and stone bridges that look like they were placed there by a set designer. In autumn, the trees put on a show so spectacular it feels staged. If you’re a fan of fantasy television, some of it was indeed staged here.
Later, take the scenic drive up to Spelga Dam and on to the Silent Valley Reservoir, an eerily calm bowl of water ringed by granite peaks. The road winds like a ribbon across the slopes, giving you that satisfying mix of drama and peace that the Mournes do so well. Spend the night back in Newcastle or in one of the rural inns nearby.
Day 2 – Castlewellan and Kilkeel
Begin the day at Castlewellan Forest Park, a place of sweeping lake views, ornamental gardens, and a hedge maze that will test your sense of direction (or patience). Even if you don’t get lost in the greenery, you’ll lose track of time wandering the woodland trails.
From there, it’s a short drive to Kilkeel, a working fishing port where the smell of salt and diesel hangs in the air. Grab some fresh seafood at the harbour and watch the trawlers creak back to shore. Then trace the coast road through Annalong, where the mountains and the sea run shoulder to shoulder.
Finish the day in Rostrevor or Warrenpoint, towns with views across Carlingford Lough. Rostrevor in particular has a welcoming, slightly bohemian feel, with pubs that seem to specialise in good music and stout.
Day 3 – Rostrevor and Narrow Water Castle
Morning in Rostrevor is best spent in Kilbroney Park, where wooded trails lead up to the Cloughmore Stone. The views over Carlingford Lough and the distant Cooley Mountains are enough to make you forget the climb.
Back at sea level, make your way to Narrow Water Castle, a 16th-century tower house with a slightly brooding presence on the riverbank near Warrenpoint. Its stone walls have seen sieges, skirmishes, and centuries of travellers pausing to admire the view.
If time allows, take the short ferry across to Carlingford in the Republic of Ireland, a medieval town of crooked lanes and castle remains. Otherwise, spend another evening on the Northern side of the lough with a good meal and a pint.
Day 4 – Dundrum to Downpatrick
Point your car north towards Dundrum Castle, a Norman ruin perched high above Dundrum Bay. Even in its tumbledown state, the place has commanding views of the dunes and sea, and you get a real sense of why the Normans planted it here.
Carry on inland towards Downpatrick, a town that wears its history with pride. At Down Cathedral, you can visit the reputed grave of St Patrick, while the nearby St Patrick Centre explains how Ireland’s patron saint went from captive to missionary. The surrounding countryside is dotted with early Christian sites and stories.
Stay overnight in Strangford or Downpatrick, where you’ll find traditional pubs and guesthouses that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into someone’s home — in a good way.
Day 5 – Strangford and Castle Ward
End the trip with a day in and around Strangford Lough, a wide tidal inlet teeming with birdlife and edged with little villages. Strangford itself is a charming place to potter, with whitewashed houses and a ferry that shuttles across to Portaferry.
The grand finale is Castle Ward, a stately home with a split personality — one side Gothic, the other classical. Its gardens, trails, and loughside views make it a fine place to wander, and its moment of fame as a filming location for Game of Thrones gives it extra appeal for fans.
If you have time, take a detour through Ardglass, a coastal village with yet another castle tucked into its streets. From here, it’s only about an hour’s drive back to Belfast.
Why go in autumn
Autumn sharpens the contrasts in this corner of Northern Ireland. The Mournes glow with russet bracken, forests flare in shades of copper and amber, and the coastal light turns castles into silhouettes against silver seas. It’s quieter, too, with more space to linger on cliffside walks or in a harbour pub.
The trip blends natural drama with a thread of human history that stretches from the Normans to St Patrick, all stitched together by winding roads that seem made for dawdling.
Road trip useful info
Getting here
- Fly into Belfast International or George Best Belfast City Airport.
- Driving from Belfast to Newcastle (start point) takes just over an hour.
Where to stay
- Cosy guesthouses and inns in Newcastle and Rostrevor.
- Traditional B&Bs in Downpatrick and Strangford.
- Rural cottages available around the Mournes.
Where to eat
- Fresh seafood in Kilkeel harbour.
- Pub grub with music in Rostrevor.
- Local produce cafés around Strangford and Castle Ward.
What to do
- Hike woodland trails in Tollymore and Kilbroney.
- Explore castles from Dundrum to Castle Ward.
- Stroll seaside towns like Newcastle and Warrenpoint.
Nearby gems
- Carlingford across the lough in the Republic of Ireland.
- The Ards Peninsula with quiet beaches and fishing villages.
- Belfast for a lively city finish.
Best time to visit
- September to November, when the forests glow with autumn colour and the crowds have thinned.
