Wee Binnian Walking Festival returns to Louth next month

The Wee Binnian Walkers will host their three day annual Walking Festival from 12-14 September 2025 and wish to invite people from across Louth to join them in a hike in the stunning landscapes of the Mourne and the Cooley Mountains.

Wee Binnian Walkers was formed as a social club that walks in 1987, and in 1994, the first Wee Binnian walking festival took place. The festival now takes place yearly, on the second weekend in September.

The festival offers an action packed programme of guided mountain and lowland walks in the Mournes, Slieve Gullion and the Cooley Mountains, over varying distances and difficulties, catering for all hill walkers. The walks are led by trained & experienced leaders.

On Saturday night there is the legendary Blister Boogie, the social highlight of the weekend including dinner and dancing. Festival HQ is the Town Hall, Church Street, Warrenpoint BT34 3HN. The itinerary for the weekend is as follows:

Friday 12 September

Slieve Gullion Walk (Grade 2)

• Opening the festival is an ascent of the iconic Slieve Gullion. County Armagh’s highest mountain, overlooking south Armagh and north Louth is geologically unique. Part of a volcanic complex called a ring dyke and containing Ireland’s highest surviving chambered graves.
• Registration: Online Only
• Meet at Gullion Forest Car Park (Local car parking charges apply). 12.00pm – BT35 8SW
• Distance: 9km; Height Gain: 580m

Rostrevor Stargazing Walk (Grade 2)

• An enchanted walk with opportunities for stargazing, overlooking Carlingford Lough, the Cooley Mountains and Eastern Seaboard. Rostrevor, Fiddler’s Green, Cloughmore Stone, Glen Stream, Fairy Glen.
• Registration: Online only. Places limited. Meet at Kilbroney Car Park 20.00
• Distance: 7km; Ascent: 337m
• NB: Walkers must demonstrate a functioning head torch before joining the walk.

Après Hike – Informal get-together

• Relax after the first day’s walking and get a chance to mingle with fellow walkers.
• Venue to be confirmed.

Saturday 13 September

• Mourne Wall Walk - Join this premium walk to complete the Mourne Wall Walk over two days.
• Saturday Day 1: Starting at Silent Valley ascend to Binnian and continue via Long Seefin – Rocky – Donard – Comedagh and Corragh to Hare’s Gap and down to Meelmore Lodge.
• Eventbrite Ticket Sales Only Bus Departs: Warrenpoint Townhall 09.30 Distance: 18.6kms | Height Gain: 1533m
• Sunday Day 2: Starting at Meelmore Lodge – Hare’s Gap – Bearnagh – Meelmore – Meelbeag – Carn – Muck and Slievenaglogh to finish at Silent Valley.
• Registration: Online | Bus Departs: Warrenpoint Townhall 09.30 Distance: 17.8km | Height Gain: 1234m

High Mournes (Grade 1)

• A very strenuous walk in the spine of the Mournes taking in four of the “7/7’s”. Happy Valley - Slieve Meelbeg - Slieve Meelmore – Slieve Bearnagh – Slievenaglogh – Slieve Commedagh –Slieve Donard – Donard Car Park.
• Registration: 8:45am | Bus Departs: 9:30am Distance: 15km | Height Gain: 1,336m

High Mournes (Grade 2)

• Take in three of the 7/7’s on this super walk in the heart of the high Mournes with spectacular view all around.
• Happy Valley – Slieve Meelbeg – Slieve Meelmore – path to Hare’s Gap – Slievenaglogh – Slieve Commedagh – Donard Car Park.
• Registration: 8:45am | Bus Departs: 9:30am Distance: 13km | Height Gain: 1,011m

Mournes (Grade 3)

• Taking you right into the heart of the Mournes to Doan via Slieve Meelbeg and Loughshannagh and returning via Ott Mountain to Ott Car Park. This walk is a gem among the high Mournes. Happy Valley – Slieve Meelbeg – Slieve Loughshannagh – Loughshannagh– Carn Mountain – Ott Mountain – Ott Track.
• Registration: 8:45am | Bus Departs: 9:30am Distance: 10km | Height Gain: 820m

Cooleys (Grade 2)

• A beautiful transverse route across the heathery tops of the mountains in this area rich in the folklore of Cúchulainn who walked these hills 2,000 years ago. Dropped off to begin at Clontigora and on to Anglesea, Clermont, Clermont Cairn, Carnawaddy, The Castles with the option of Round Mountain to return to the Lumpers.
• Registration: 8:45am | Bus Departs: 9:30am Distance: 15km | Ascent: 610m

Après Hike – Blister Boogie

• Join the legendary Blister Boogie, the social highlight of the weekend. Dinner, craic and dancing ‘til late.
• Admission by ticket only, available via Eventbrite and Walk HQ
• Venue: Warrenpoint Golf Club, BT34 3LN Time: 8:00pm | Cost: £30

Sunday 14 September

High Mournes (Grade 1) - 

• From Sea to Summit ascend to Ulster’s Highest Mountain Donard and return to Newcastle via Slieve Comedagh and the Forest track. Bloody Bridge – Quarry Track – Slieve Carragh – Chimney Rock – Bog of Donard – Donard – Slieve Commedagh – Shan Slieve – Slievenemaddy – Forest Track to Donard Car Park.
• Registration: 8:45am | Bus Departs: 9:30am Distance: 12.4km | Ascent: 1127m

High Mournes (Grade 2)

• Explore where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea from the highest Mountain of Mourne Slieve Donard. Bloody Bridge – Quarry Track – Slieve Carragh – Chimney Rock – Bog of Donard – Donard – Thomas’ Mountain – Quarry – Forest Track to Donard Car Park.
• Registration: 8:45am | Bus Departs: 9:30am Distance: 10.7km | Height Gain: 955m

High Mournes (Grade 3)

• Leave the sea behind you at Bloody Bridge and wander through the Mournes to return to the sea at Newcastle taking in some of the most spectacular views. Bloody Bridge – Quarry Track to the Bog of Donard – Brandy Pad to col between Commedagh and Slieve Donard – descend to the Glen River track back to Donard Car Park.
• Registration: 8:45am | Bus Departs: 9:30am Distance: 9.6km | Height Gain: 596m

Cooleys (Grade 2)

• An enjoyable hike through the land of the Táin Bó Cúailigne. From the Long Woman’s Grave we take the 6km ridge walk to Louth’s highest peak Slieve Foy and descend to Carlingford via Barnavave – Maeves Gap. Long Woman’s Grave – Foxes Rock – Ravens Rock – Split Rock – Eagle Rock – Barnavave – Deserted Village – Carlingford.
• Registration: 8:45am | Bus Departs: 9:30am Distance: 12.0km | Ascent: 690m

Après Hike – Festival Close

• Complimentary refreshments.
• Venue: Warrenpoint Town Hall, BT34 3HN Time: After Walks

Tickets for events at this year's festival can be obtained here. For more information on this week's festival, see the Facebook page here.