Slieve Donard being the highest peak in the Mournes offers some fantastic views in reward for walking to the summit. Gaze south over the Carlingford Mountains and beyond Dundalk Bay towards the Wicklow Mountains shimmering seductively on southern horizon. The Isle of Man and a glimpse of Scotland attract the eye eastward with Belfast City easily visible to the north. Lough Neagh completes the cardinal tour to the west.

The Mourne Peaks and Tors dominate the immediate view from south to north laid out below as a 3 dimensional map, tempting further walking and exploration. Indeed, many a day I’ve spent walking here, choosing routes and peaks almost at random.

From the summit delight in the birds eyes view of the local drumlin countryside. Study the low lying land that melds into Dundrum Bay encircled with what looks like end moraine formations. Trace the tree lined rivers that tumble toward the sea. Are they remnants of once torrential glacial outflows? Try and picture in your minds eye the great glacial ice sheets spilling from the mountain valleys sculpting and moulding the terrain laid out below.

There are many and varied accent / descent routes available to the walker each one presenting it's own unique and pleasing characteristics. The tourist route, starting in Donard car park takes you up the Glen River path were it’s fascinating to examine the transition from Silurian bedrock to the younger granite. Follow the path which will lead you all the way to the Mourne wall. On the way stop and study the varied glacial features. The most notable is the Corrie that’s been carved out from the Northern face of Donard. Look out for this as you drive towards Newcastle from Castlewellan, it’s a most prominent feature toward evening. There’s also the glacial spur of Eagle Rock and the Pot of Pulgarve. I always find it awe inspiring to think of the energy required to gouge these formations from the mountains. Anyway, proceeding up the path stop just above the tree line and look left to the rippled surfaces of Thomas’s Mountain. You can still see the layering folds formed in the molten magma as it cooled after being injected into the long gone Silurian overcoat. When you reach the wall swing left and follow it to make your accent to the summit. There’s a stone path leading up the flank of the summit which follows the wall. It’s a bit dicey in places so watch your step if its wet. Just one other thing. For anyone who has regularly walked in the Mournes have you noticed a thin band of red subsoil that is exposed at the riverbanks. Its really noticeable up the Tracey track, does anyone know what this is. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/19/comment/1984/