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Mourne Mountains Area , E: Binnian Subarea
Feature count in area: 59, all in Down, OSI/LPS Maps: 20, 29, EW-CLY
Highest Place: Slieve Donard 849m

Starting Places (33) in area Mourne Mountains:
Alex Steddom Tree, Aughrim Airstrip, Ben Crom Dam, Bloody Bridge Car Park, Carlingford Greenway, Carrick Little, Crocknafeola Wood, Crotlieve Mountain, Donard Car Park Newcastle, Drummanmore Picnic, Fofanny Reservoir, Forest Office CP, Gamekeepers Lodge CP, Happy Valley Trassey Rd, Hen Mountain CP, Leitrim Lodge CP, Mayo Road Corner, Meelmore Lodge, Newcastle Harbour, Ott CP, Red Bog Road, Rourkes Park, Sandy Brae, Silent Valley Reservoir Head Rd, Slieve Donard Trail Head, Slieve Foye Viewing Point, Slievefoy Forest CP, Spelga Dam E, Spelga Dam N, Spelga Dam S, Trassey Car Park, Two Mile River CP, Yellow Water Park

Summits & other features in area Mourne Mountains:
Cen: Loughshannagh: Ben Crom 526m, Carn Mountain 585.2m, Carn Mountain North Top 553.7m, Doan 592.6m, Ott Mountain 526.8m, Slieve Loughshannagh 617m, Slieve Muck 670.4m, Slievenaglogh 445m
E: Binnian: Slieve Binnian 745.9m, Slieve Binnian East Top 639m, Slieve Binnian North Top 678m, Slieve Binnian North Tor 682.5m, Wee Binnian 460m
E: Donard: Chimney Rock Mountain 656m, Crossone 540m, Millstone Mountain 460m, Rocky Mountain 524m, Slieve Donard 849m
E: Lamagan: Cove Mountain 654.8m, Slieve Beg 595.9m, Slievelamagan 702.2m
N: Bearnagh: Slieve Bearnagh 739m, Slieve Bearnagh North Tor 680m, Slieve Meelbeg 701.9m, Slieve Meelmore 687m
N: Castlewellan: Slievenaboley 324m, Slievenalargy 280m, Slievenaslat 272m
N: Commedagh: Slieve Commedagh 767m, Slieve Corragh 641.9m, Slievenaglogh 584.4m, Slievenaglogh East Top 571m
N: Croob: Cratlieve 429m, Slieve Croob 534m, Slievegarran 391m, Slievenisky 446m
N: Rathfriland: Knockiveagh 235m
S: Kilkeel: Knockchree 306m
S: Rostrevor: Crenville 460m, Finlieve 578m, Slievemartin 485m, Slievemeel 420m, Slievemeen 472m
W: Hilltown: Gruggandoo 382m, Slieveacarnane 296m
W: Slievemoughanmore: Crotlieve Mountain 347m, Eagle Mountain 638m, Rocky Mountain 404m, Shanlieve 626m, Slievemoughanmore 560m, Tievedockaragh 473m, Wee Slievemoughan 428m
W: Spelga: Butter Mountain 503.8m, Cock Mountain 504m, Cock Mountain South-West Top 505m, Hen Mountain 354m, Pigeon Rock Mountain 534m, Pigeon Rock Mountain South Top 530m, Slievenamiskan 444m

Note: this list of places may include island features such as summits, but not islands as such.
Rating graphic.
Slieve Binnian, 745.9m Mountain Sliabh Binneáin A name in Irish,
Place Rating ..
(Ir. Sliabh Binneáin [PNNI], 'mountain of the small peak'), Down County in Ulster province, in Arderin, Vandeleur-Lynam, Irish Highest Hundred Lists, Slieve Binnian is the third highest mountain in the Mourne Mountains area and the 81st highest in Ireland. Slieve Binnian is the third highest point in county Down.
Grid Reference J32055 23314, OS 1:50k mapsheet 29
Place visited by: 871 members, recently by: hugh_oc, rosduke, Baz749, JohnRea, jjbireland700s, bandre, RosieMc, Aidan_Ennis, discovering_dann, Tuigamala, doopa, a3642278, johncusack, CusackMargaret, DarrenY
I visited this place: NO (You need to be a logged-in member for this.)
Longitude: -5.980057, Latitude: 54.141928, Easting: 332056, Northing: 323314, Prominence: 350.6m,  Isolation: 0.6km
ITM: 731976 823320
Bedrock type: Granite granophyre, (Mourne Mountains granite)
Notes on name: Also simply known as Binnion/Binneán. Dominates views of the Mourne Mountains from Annalong and Kilkeel. The folklore of Mourne explains the name Beanna Boirche as 'peaks of Boirche', a personal name. This character is said to have ruled his kingdom from Slieve Binnian. The name Binneán refers to the rocky tors which outcrop along the summit ridge. E. Estyn Evans, in his book Mourne Country, gives the name of one of these tors as The Buckie. In a discussion of the boats used at Kilkeel and other ports along the Co. Down coast, he explains the name as follows: Other variants of the lugger which old salts speak of, all of them of Scottish types, were the Fifie, Zulu, Banff and Buckie. One of the lesser tors on the long spine of Slieve Binnian is known as the Buckie, a name which was meaningless to me until I saw it from the east against the sky and recognised a vessel in full sail [Estyn Evans, 159]. On the facing page is a sketch showing Slieve Binnian's backbone seen from the east including the Buckie.
  Short or GPS IDs, 6 char: SlvBnn, 10 char: SlvBnn

Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/79/
Gallery for Slieve Binnian (Sliabh Binneáin) and surrounds
Summary for Slieve Binnian (Sliabh Binneáin): Distinctive, steep-sided peak with interesting summit tors and stunning views
Summary created by markmjcampion, Peter Walker, jackill 11 Sep, 2023
            MountainViews.ie picture about Slieve Binnian (Sliabh Binneáin)
Picture: View of the summit tors
With its summit tors, Slieve Binnian is a most distinctive peak in the SE Mournes. There are fine sea views; the Cooleys and many peaks and valleys of the Mournes are often up for close inspection too.

SE. Park at Carrick Little carpark at Carrick (J34519 21890), room for 10-15 cars. If busy, note that there is plentiful parking up the lane and at other locations hereabouts for £3 a day; please avoid parking at the roadside. Walk up the farm track, cross a stile and follow the Mourne Wall NW, the ground getting steeper all the time. The beckoning summit is Binnian E Top and, if you like, leave the handrail of the wall to take in this before rejoining the wall and heading for Slieve Binnian. 4km+ Allow 2hrs

SW. Park in the Silent Valley recreation area near A (J30747 20818). Head for Wee Binnion following a wall on its SW shoulder. It's steep but rewarding. Continue your uphill slog along the wall to the summit tors of SB. There are alternative less steep trails if required. 2 to 2.5 hrs
Also from this starting pt. walk along the reservoir track as far as B (J32104 25606) before taking the obvious track SW and then S over Binnion's N tops before reaching SB after about 12k...3.5 to 4 hrs

S. Park near Alex Sted (J31960 20933) and follow the trail north until you reach Wee Binnion's SW shoulder and follow the wall to the summit as described earlier. 2 to 2.5 hrs.
Point B (J32104 25606) can also be reached from Carrick (J34519 21890) via a lower trail that skirts Annalong wood.

Track/2286 is an 18k loop taking in 6 mv summits and track/3381 is a long day out that takes in 8 summits.
Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/79/comment/4839/
Member Comments for Slieve Binnian (Sliabh Binneáin)

            MountainViews.ie picture about Slieve Binnian (Sliabh Binneáin)
Picture: Approaching the summit tor on Slieve Binnian
kernowclimber on Slieve Binnian
by kernowclimber 21 Feb 2010
We set off on 20th February from Carrick Little Car Park at around 2.00pm for the summit of Slieve Binnian. The weather was calm, cold but sunny. The Mournes were fog free, but a bank of fog out on the Irish Sea was edging towards the Isle of Man and another was encroaching slowly from the direction of Newry.
We made our way along a muddy farm road and across a stile to continue up the Annalong Valley walking parallel to a fence and then close to the Annalong Woods. The track was quite rugged underfoot and boggy in places but infinitely preferable to the ‘pathway’ the National Trust has laid on the route up to Slieve Donard from Newcastle. As we advanced it became quite icy underfoot and day old snow adhered to the rocks and vegetation on and near the path.
Close to Blue Lough which was frozen, we took the left-hand path towards the saddle between Slievelamagan and North Tor. There is a large boulder here that is fun to clamber onto and offers fine views over the Ben Crom Reservoir. We scrambled up a steep rocky pathway covered with snow towards North Tor, deviating slightly at the top to take in the fabulous view down over the Ben Crom Reservoir. Freshly made rabbits’ paw prints were imprinted in the snow that crisply covered the hillside and glistened magically in the late afternoon sunshine. By now a blanket of impenetrable fog was making its way stealth-like from the direction of the Silent Valley and was slowly encroaching on the Ben Crom Reservoir.
We climbed higher and passed beneath the towering hulk of North Tor towards the Back Castles that were encrusted in snow and small icicles and looked as if they had been foam blasted. Squeezing through a narrow gap between two huge boulders we gained our first view of a frigid Binnian Lough and Slieve Binnian above with its jagged tors drifting in and out of view like an apparition through wisps of fog being blown up from the valley below.
We followed the ridge towards the summit through quite thick snow that had drifted in places, scrambling up onto the tor as the sun was beginning to set. From the summit we were exhilarated to find that we were looking down on dense cloud as if from an airplane. Illuminated eerily by the setting sun, the fog had surrounded Slieve Binnian and only the tops of the highest mountains including Slieve Donard and Slieve Bearnagh were visible.
We made our descent eastwards from the summit down a steep and very slippery snow covered rocky slope to the Mourne Wall that we followed down in the twilight to the iron gate and the stile to connect with the path leading back to the car park. This was undoubtedly the best winter walk we have made so far this winter which took us just under 5 hours. The ruggedness and majesty of the Mournes is breathtaking and apart from one or two walkers in the valley, we had the hills entirely to ourselves. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/79/comment/4419/
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            MountainViews.ie picture about Slieve Binnian (Sliabh Binneáin)
Picture: Ben Crom Reservoir from Buzzard's Roost
wicklore on Slieve Binnian
by wicklore 26 Jul 2008
Carrick Little carpark at Carrick (J345 219) was the starting point for my Binnian walk. I followed the track up into the valley via a thoughtful stone stile.
I left the main track and kept close to the wall on my left as I started to climb. I ignored other walls that branched off. The views across the valley and over the Annalong Wood were great with Donard and Commedagh clearly visible to the north.
I eventually climbed over the wall at approx C (J327 234) and headed towards Binnian East Top. A strong wind pushed me up to the summit. Great views to the south towards Slieve Foye and beyond.
I battled the wind back to the wall and followed it up to a stile at approx D (J325 233). I crossed the stile and headed off to a point between two summit tors. I decided not to just follow the wall as it seemed to head directly to a rocky tor which looked dangerous to climb.
I quickly reached the summit of Slieve Binnian. I enjoyed the amazing views and explored the tors. I expected to find the summit busy but there was no one there. Besides the lack of people I was also amazed at the lack of wildlife-are there no deer or hares in the Mournes?
I next headed to Binnian North Top and North Tor, admiring the celebrated Back Castles on the way.
I climbed the North Tor from the East side. It was a spectacular viewpoint and an excellent location for lunch. The first people I saw in the Mournes that day jogged past below- these Mountain Runners are a tough breed! Again I thought it a shame that so few appeared to be out enjoying these beautiful hills.
Next I dropped down to the track at E (J321 256), admiring the view of Ben Crom Reservoir from Buzzard’s Roost (F (J319 253)) on the way. My original plan to head home down the track was abandoned as I headed up Lamagan. Walking alone brings this freedom of deciding on a whim to alter a planned walk.
I found it tough going and I was glad to stop and chat to a couple on the way up. They eagerly named all visible summits, reminding me of my habit of offering to help every time I see a car stopped at Sally Gap in Wicklow with bewildered tourists poring over a map!
After Lamagan I headed NNE into the col at G (J331 267) and up Cove. The top arrived quickly and I briefly enjoyed the view before heading back to the col and headed SE to find the marked track on the map. This brought me down the side of the bluffs in the area of H (J334 261) where I saw rock climbers hard at work.
I saw people camping in the trees as I passed Annalong Wood which I thought was pleasant until I saw the remains of previous camps. Abandoned torn-down tents, rubbish, old fires and damaged trees. I then met a loud group of lads heading up from the carpark toting crates of beer.
However this didn’t spoil my 7+ hours of bliss in the Mournes. Reading various MV routes is great preparation but “getting out there” will always bring its own unique experiences! I only discovered Simon 3’s Walk Guide for a similar route on MV after my walk but I was happy with my choice! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/79/comment/3247/
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            MountainViews.ie picture about Slieve Binnian (Sliabh Binneáin)
Picture: Ravens chasing peregrine falcon near Slieve Binnian
Ravens chasing peregrine falcon near Slieve Binnian
by mush 5 Aug 2021
Great walk up Binnian on the last of the hot days in the heatwave July 23. Had a lovely cooling swim across the Blue Lough after the descent. The best kind of wild swimming.

On the way up saw numerous ravens together, 11 or 12 at one point. They were circling and chasing a large raptor. Took photos with a long lens and it appears to be a peregrine falcon they were chasing. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/79/comment/23231/
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            MountainViews.ie picture about Slieve Binnian (Sliabh Binneáin)
Jaak on Slieve Binnian
by Jaak 2 Apr 2006
Top of Binnian, close to the end of a long but very beautiful walk. Started in the car park at the Silent Valley reservoir, followed the road to the Ben Crom dam and then the track to the Hare's Gap. From the Gap, walked to the Castles under Commedagh and then returned to the car park via Beg, Cove, Lamagan, Black Castles, Binnian, wee Binnian and Moolieve. The descent from Binnian was difficult, as apart from the steep incline, the snow covered the holes and cuttings in the rocks and tracks, leading to more than one tumble on the way down.
I walked this route on a number of occasions last Autumn, while training for Kilimanjaro - not really knowing what type of challenge Kili presented. The Mourne walk is much much tougher than any of the climbs en route to the summit of Kilimanjaro, except the final ascent, which is more difficult due to its height and steepness and it has the extra disadvantage of high altitude to put an additional burden on the already tired climber. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/79/comment/2252/
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            MountainViews.ie picture about Slieve Binnian (Sliabh Binneáin)
djouce on Slieve Binnian
by djouce 5 Jan 2004
Slieve Binnian has several spectacular rocky summits. Can be climbed from Silent Valley car park or from a track leaving Head Road at about Alex Sted (J319 209). Our route took us over Wee Binnian along the summit of Slieve Binnian to North Tor and then on to Slievelamagan returning via Silent Valley. Time taken 7 hours including breaks. Photo of summit of Slieve Binnian Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/79/comment/795/
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