J2825 : "Loyalist" sheep on the summit of Slieve Muck
Strenuous; steep, wet mountain ground

Slieve Muck

670m Elevation
156m Prominence
I Country
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J2825 : "Loyalist" sheep on the summit of Slieve Muck

Eric Jones Photo source

Overview

Slieve Muck is a 670.4m Mourne mountain in County Down, Northern Ireland, above Deer’s Meadow and near Spelga Reservoir. A broad summit area contrasts with steep wet slopes and crags. Approaches include a return via Ott Track and Carn Mountain, or a direct climb from Deer’s Meadow beside Batt’s Wall.

Slieve Muck

Slieve Muck rises to 670.4m above Deer’s Meadow in the Mourne Mountains, County Down, Northern Ireland. Its prominence is 156m. The broad summit area has a trig pillar and the meeting of Batt’s Wall and the Mourne Wall; the surveyed high point at J 28112 24995 is recorded without a marker.

Walking approaches

The Ott Track approach crosses the Carn Mountain ridge before climbing Slieve Muck. The published 8.4km itinerary returns the same way to Ott car park, with a guide time of 2.5–3.5 hours. Carn Mountain is a separate 585.2m summit to the northeast. Slieve Loughshannagh lies farther north; Pigeon Rock’s two tops are across the valley to the west.

Deer’s Meadow offers a more direct, steep ascent beside Batt’s Wall, returning down the same western slope. Wet grass, peat, streams and rocky steps make the descent slow in poor conditions. The southern Mourne Wall line towards Banns Road is a different descent with steep slabs and boggy ground.

The full Mourne Wall Challenge is a long multi-summit circuit. LDWA lists its Carrick Little start-and-finish route at 31km; it is not the individual Slieve Muck ascent described above.

Landscape and name

The summit crags are Silurian metasediments overlying the G3 granite of the Eastern Mournes. The Mourne granite intrusions formed about 56 million years ago. From the upper slopes, views open over Spelga, Deer’s Meadow and the surrounding Mourne peaks. Sliabh Muc means ‘mountain of the pigs’.

The Mourne Wall was built between 1904 and 1922 to protect the water catchment and remains in NI Water’s care.

Access and preparation

Use the existing gates, stiles and paths, keep entrances clear and follow local access notices. Upland access can depend on landowner goodwill; a well-used path does not by itself establish a public right of way. Keep dogs on leads where they are permitted. Organisers should check NI Water’s requirements before events on its land.

Public toilets are listed at Spelga Dam and in Hilltown. Carry food, water, waterproofs, warm layers, a map, compass and a head torch. The wall is a useful navigation feature, but its branches and gaps require care in cloud. In winter, ice on the steep grass and rock can require winter equipment and skills.

NI Water prohibits swimming and other water activities at Lough Shannagh, Spelga, Silent Valley and Ben Crom. Any separate visit through Silent Valley Mountain Park is subject to its entry charges, gate times and posted trail closures.

Explore routes near Slieve Muck

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

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

9.8 km ~2h 45m Easy

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Tollymore Forest Park: River Trail near Newcastle

5.2 km ~2h Moderate

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Newcastle, Co. Down (NI) with Men Walking & Talking

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Castlewellan Forest Park: Lake, Arboretum and Mitchell's Lake Circuit

7.6 km ~2h 45m Moderate

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Route planning notes

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

Slieve Muck via Ott Track and Carn Mountain: return

From Ott car park on Slievenaman Road, cross to the stile and take the Ott Track around Ott Mountain to the Mourne Wall at the saddle. Turn southwest along the Carn Mountain ridge, then descend to the intervening col and climb Slieve Muck. Retrace the same route over Carn and down the Ott Track to the car park. The published 8.4km figure covers this full return; the guide suggests 2.5–3.5 hours. Expect wet ground, rocky sections and a substantial final climb.

8.4 km Moderate; mountain terrain

Slieve Muck from Deer’s Meadow: summit return

Start at Deer’s Meadow car park on Moyad Road, south of Spelga. Cross the road carefully and use the stile opposite. Climb the western slope alongside Batt’s Wall, taking the worn line around rocky obstructions, to the summit area where it meets the Mourne Wall. Return by the same western slope, stile and road crossing to Deer’s Meadow. The climb is steep, with wet grass, peat and small stream channels. Do not substitute the much steeper southern Mourne Wall descent towards Banns Road.

Strenuous
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn Simm Hewitt Dillon Arderin Vandeleur-Lynam

Elevation

670m

2,199 ft

Prominence

156m

Coordinates

54.1580, -6.0397

J281249

OS Map

29

At the Summit

A trig pillar and the junction of Batt’s Wall with the Mourne Wall stand in the broad summit area. The surveyed high point at J 28112 24995 is recorded by DoBIH as having no feature; the pillar should not be treated as proof of the exact highest point.

Terrain & Geology

Steep wet grass peat and boggy hollows small stream channels rocky steps and crags rough mountain paths

Slieve Muck’s summit crags are Silurian metasediments above the G3 granite of the Eastern Mournes. The Mourne granites intruded the older rocks about 56 million years ago, locally baking them into hornfels. The summit cap is therefore distinct from the granite beneath it.

Views & Scenery

Views over Deer’s Meadow and Spelga Reservoir, across to Pigeon Rock and the western Mournes, and towards the higher central Mourne peaks.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

From Irish Sliabh Muc, meaning ‘mountain of the pigs’, as recorded in Paul Tempan’s Irish Landscape Names, citing Place-Names of Northern Ireland volume 3.

Historical Significance

The Mourne Wall crosses Slieve Muck. Built by the Belfast Water Commissioners between 1904 and 1922, it enclosed and protected the water catchment serving the Mourne reservoirs. The listed wall remains in NI Water’s care.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Use Ott car park on Slievenaman Road for the Carn Mountain approach, or the small Deer’s Meadow car park on Moyad Road, south of Spelga, for the direct western ascent. Both starts involve crossing a road to a stile. Keep traffic, field gates and access tracks clear.

Public Transport

Use Translink’s journey planner for date-specific travel to the Mournes and arrange the final leg to Ott or Deer’s Meadow. NI Water advertises a paid Mourne Shuttle Service with advance booking recommended; confirm its stops and return arrangements for your chosen day.

Nearby Facilities

Public toilets are listed at Spelga Dam and Rostrevor Road in Hilltown. Check their opening times before relying on them. Bring food and water for the mountain routes.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Steep wet grass, peat, stream channels and rocky steps can be slippery on the Deer’s Meadow ascent and descent. The southern Mourne Wall descent towards Banns Road includes steep slabs and boggy ground.
  • Cloud can hide the summit plateau, wall junctions and the return line over Carn Mountain. Navigate with a map and compass rather than following any wall downhill.
  • NI Water prohibits swimming, diving, paddleboarding and other water activities at Lough Shannagh, Spelga, Silent Valley and Ben Crom.
  • For a mountain emergency call 999 or 112, ask for Police and then Mountain Rescue, and give your location, preferably a grid reference. Mobile reception can be unreliable.

Seasonal Hazards

Winter ice on the steep grass and rock makes both ascent and descent more serious and may require winter equipment and skills. Wet weather increases saturation of the peat and stream channels. Short daylight reduces the margin for a slow return.

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 Muck?

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Are there other walkers around Slieve Muck?

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 Muck search or of course create your own walk for Slieve Muck

Can I organise a walk to Slieve Muck?

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

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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 Muck?

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Location

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Grid reference: J281249

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