[RWD version 1 ] This is one of the very finest day’s hillwalking in the Mournes, with a great deal of variety.

A steady pull up Binnian brings you to the castlelated wonderland of its summit plateau, an almost arctic tundra pocked by spectacular eruptions of granite. The built path leads (icily on this occasion) down to a low col before the notorious slog up Lamagan to keep you honest. One can go over or around Cove, but it’s worth the effort not to skirt Slieve Beg in order to view the awesome Devils Coachroad from above.

It’s not far to the Brandy Pad, the old smugglers route that is used here to easily contour under the high summits of Commedagh and Donard. The Mourne Wall is reached at the Bog Of Donard, and there follows a rough and squelchy section (that I was recceing for a winter round of the Mourne Wall Walk) and a long diagonal descent to Annalong Wood.