J0220 : Path below the summit of Slieve Gullion
Route-dependent; steep mountain paths

Slieve Gullion

576m Elevation
454m Prominence
I Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

J0220 : Path below the summit of Slieve Gullion

Eric Jones Photo source

Overview

Slieve Gullion (576 m) is the highest hill in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, at the centre of the Ring of Gullion. Its south summit has a trig point and a Neolithic passage tomb. Mountain paths reach the summit from the forest drive, with a longer circuit continuing past Calliagh Berra's Lough and the North Cairn.

Slieve Gullion

Overview

Slieve Gullion rises to 576 m in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. Its south summit is the county high point and carries a trig point and the South Cairn, a Neolithic passage tomb known as Calliagh Berra's House. The North Cairn is a separate, later burial site beyond Calliagh Berra's Lough.

Summit walks

  • From the upper mountain car park on the scenic forest drive, take the mountain path just beyond the car park, climb past the stone shelter to the south summit, then return by the same path. This remains a steep, exposed mountain walk.
  • The longer circuit begins and ends at the Courtyard Centre car park. It climbs through woodland and along the forest drive to the summit path, then continues over the plateau past the lough and North Cairn. The northern descent reaches Ballard Road; the road return passes Killeavy Old Churches and Killeavy Castle before reaching the forest park. This option needs mountain-navigation skills and includes road walking.

The woodland story trail and scenic-drive walks do not themselves reach the summit.

Terrain, views and geology

Mountain paths cross rocky ground, peat and heather. In clear weather the outlook includes the Mournes, Carlingford Lough and the Cooley Peninsula. The mountain belongs to an ancient igneous complex with layered intrusions; the surrounding ring dyke is a different part of that geological structure.

Access and preparation

Use the main forest park entrance on Drumintee Road. The upper car park is separate and depends on access along the one-way forest drive. Check park notices and gate times, follow forestry signs and allow enough time for the return. Carry suitable footwear, waterproofs, a map and compass. Winter snow and ice can close the drive.

The South Cairn chamber is closed until further notice. Toilets are available at the visitor-information building, but the café is temporarily closed. From 21 to 27 October 2026, forest park access after 14:30 is restricted to Footsteps in the Forest ticket holders.

Name and folklore

The Irish name is Sliabh gCuillinn, interpreted as the mountain of the steep slope or of holly. Stories connect Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Cailleach with the mountain and lough.

Explore routes near Slieve Gullion

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Scarva to Poyntzpass: Newry Canal and Lough Shark Return

10.1 km ~3h Easy

View route

Silent Valley to Ben Crom Dam: Reservoir Road Walk, County Down

9.8 km ~2h 45m Easy

View route

Portadown to Knock Bridge: Bann Boulevard and Moneypenny’s Lock

8.1 km ~2h 30m Easy

View route

Tollymore Forest Park: Mountain and Drinns Trail

14.2 km ~4h 45m Hard

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

South summit from the upper forest-drive car park

Start at the upper mountain car park on the one-way scenic forest drive. Take the mountain path about 50 m beyond the car park, climbing past the stone shelter to the south summit, trig point and South Cairn. Return by the same path to the upper car park. The lough and North Cairn are beyond this turn-around. Steep rocky and peaty ground; vehicle access depends on the forest drive being open.

Steep mountain walk

Courtyard, summit and North Cairn circuit

Start and finish at the Courtyard Centre car park (J042196). Follow woodland paths and the forest drive to the summit ascent; continue past the south summit, Calliagh Berra’s Lough and North Cairn. Descend to Ballard Road and return by lanes past Killeavy Old Churches and Killeavy Castle. Published versions of this circuit are about 14–15.3 km. Includes exposed mountain paths and road walking; navigation skills are needed.

OutmoreNI: Strenuous
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Dodd Arderin Historic County Top (pre-1889)

Elevation

576m

1,890 ft

Prominence

454m

Coordinates

54.1219, -6.4334

J024203

OS Map

29 36

At the Summit

The south summit has a trig point and the South Cairn, a Neolithic passage tomb known as Calliagh Berra's House. The separate North Cairn stands beyond Calliagh Berra's Lough on the summit plateau. The South Cairn chamber is closed until further notice.

Terrain & Geology

Forest paths and tracks tarmac forest drive steep rocky and peaty mountain paths open heather moorland public-road sections on the full circuit

Slieve Gullion is part of a Palaeogene igneous complex formed about 58–56 million years ago. The mountain exposes a layered intrusive complex of silica-rich and basic igneous rocks, including granophyre and gabbroic rocks. The surrounding Ring of Gullion hills follow a ring dyke associated with a deeply eroded volcanic centre.

Views & Scenery

In clear weather the summit overlooks the Ring of Gullion hills, the Mourne Mountains, Carlingford Lough, the Cooley Peninsula and the Armagh drumlins.

Best Seasons

Heather brings purple colour to the mountain heath in summer.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

From the Irish Sliabh gCuillinn, interpreted as 'mountain of the steep slope' or 'mountain of holly' by placename researcher Paul Tempan.

Historical Significance

The South Cairn is a Neolithic passage tomb, locally called Calliagh Berra's House. The separate North Cairn is a later burial monument with evidence of Early Bronze Age use. Stories of Fionn Mac Cumhaill and the Cailleach form part of the mountain's folklore.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Main parking is beside the Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre (J042196). The separate upper mountain car park is reached by the one-way scenic forest drive and is the start for the shorter summit ascent. Vehicle parking charges or permits apply. Check gate times and forestry notices. From 21 to 27 October 2026, access to the forest park after 14:30 is restricted to Footsteps in the Forest ticket holders.

Public Transport

Use Translink's current journey planner to check services towards Meigh or Newry, then plan the onward journey to the forest park. The upper mountain car park is a separate starting point along the forest drive.

Nearby Facilities

The forest park visitor-information building beside the playpark has toilets and an accessible toilet. There are picnic areas, a playpark and woodland trails. The park café is temporarily closed, so bring refreshments.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Steep, uneven and peaty mountain paths can be slippery; the upper mountain is exposed to wind and poor visibility.
  • Carry a map and compass and know how to use them, especially for the summit plateau and northern descent.
  • The full circuit uses public roads; take particular care on the return past Killeavy Old Churches.
  • Watch for vehicles on the forest drive and obey forestry diversions and safety signs.

Seasonal Hazards

Snow and ice can close the forest drive in winter. Wet weather can make mountain paths muddy and slippery; allow for shorter daylight hours and check park gate times before setting out.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Slieve Gullion?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Slieve Gullion through the maps

Are there other walkers around Slieve Gullion?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Slieve Gullion search or of course create your own walk for Slieve Gullion

Can I organise a walk to Slieve Gullion?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Slieve Gullion.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Slieve Gullion?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Slieve Gullion here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

Slieve Gullion location map

Grid reference: J024203

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Slieve Foye

587m

Slieve Bearnagh

739m

Slieve Binnian

746m

Slievelamagan

702m

Slieve Commedagh

767m
See 5 more nearby hills