SLIEVE DOAN HIKE FROM OTT CAR PARK: MOURNE WALL TO DOAN SUMMIT

SETTING OFF FROM PEAK HQ

There are plenty of ways to spend a Friday morning. For us at Mourne Peak, few were better than heading into the mountains that inspired our brand in the first place.

Friday, 25 September 2026, started at Mourne Peak HQ in Mayobridge, Co.Down. The plan was simple: make our way to Ott Car Park, climb towards the Mourne Wall and continue on to Slieve Doan.

This is our complete guide to the Slieve Doan hike from Ott Car Park, taking in the Mourne Wall, Silent Valley and some of the best views across the High Mourne Mountains.

FROM THE MOURNE WALL TO DOAN

With the Mourne Wall behind us, Slieve Doan was now directly ahead.

The route opened out across the mountains, with Doan becoming more prominent as we continued. Below us, Silent Valley and Lough Shannagh sat among the surrounding peaks, while Slieve Binnian and the High Mournes completed the backdrop.

From the Wall, we found keeping left towards Lough Shannagh much easier. The route to the right could take you across more marshy ground, particularly when conditions were wet, although both sides offered excellent views across Silent Valley, Lough Shannagh and towards Slieve Doan. For our route, keeping left gave us the more straightforward approach to Slieve Doan.

As we moved closer to Doan, the landscape changed again. Softer ground gave way to a more open and rocky expanse, with exposed stones and uneven ground leading towards the base of the summit.

From this left side, a natural trail led towards the summit, with the incline remaining gradual rather than particularly steep. There were a few minor rocky sections higher up, so it was worth slowing down, watching footing and choosing each step carefully.

The climb itself was easier than expected. In places, the incline almost felt like a set of natural steps, with the stones creating an almost natural staircase towards the summit. It was almost as if Finn McCool himself had laid the stones for the climb!

Compared with some other Mourne climbs, we found Doan surprisingly accessible. For example, climbing from Kodak Corner towards the mountain bench on Slieve Martin felt considerably steeper.

A GOOD COFFEE BEFORE THE HIKE

Before heading into the mountains, there was one important stop to make, View Coffee.

Located outside Hilltown (22 Kilkeel Rd, Hilltown) and at the footsteps of the Mournes, View Coffee was a handy stop on the way towards Ott Car Park, so we called in for a flat white and iced latte before continuing towards the mountains. The coffee was 10/10. It was exactly what we needed to give us a morning boost and get moving for our hike.

We left Peak HQ in Mayobridge at around 9:40am, stopped for coffee and arrived at Ott Car Park at approximately 10:00am.

If you're planning to make the same stop, check View Coffee's latest opening times before setting off and follow them on Instagram for their latest updates found here.

STARTING OFF AT OTT CAR PARK

With the coffee sorted, it was time to head towards the Mourne Mountains.

From View Coffee, we followed the road towards Spelga Dam, passing the reservoir before taking the left turn towards Ott Car Park. It was only another 2–3 minutes' drive from there, with public toilets at Spelga Dam making it a handy stop before setting off.

Ott Car Park sits on Slievenaman Road, Co.Down and provides access to this quieter side of the High Mournes, including routes towards Slieve Doan and Ben Crom. The car park is relatively small (approx. 10 spaces), so arriving early is worth considering. It is also served by the Mourne Shuttle Service, while the Mourne Rambler Bus Service stops here between May and August.

It was a beautiful autumn morning, with temperature dropping as the weather moved between overcast skies and clearer spells. We had the Mourne Peak Explorer ½ Zip in Ben Crom on, which proved well suited to the conditions as we moved towards the more exposed sections of the route.

From the car park, the route quickly left the road and opened into the mountain landscape. Underfoot, there was a mixture of rock, grass and softer ground, with some sections becoming muddy, slippery and boggy as we approached the Mourne Wall.

Good hiking footwear, water, layers and suitable weather protection are recommended. It's worth checking the forecast and mountain conditions before setting off.

REACHING THE MOURNE WALL

As we climbed further along the trail from Ott Car Park, the landscape gradually opened around us as we gained height. The rocky path wound between the surrounding peaks, with the High Mournes becoming more prominent in view.

Then, ahead of us, the Mourne Wall. There were few people around that morning, which made the approach feel quiet and peaceful. The changing autumn light, fresh mountain air and huge open landscape made it a natural point to stop and take everything in.

The Mourne Wall stretched across the mountains ahead, with Silent Valley and the High Mournes opening out beyond it. After the climb from Ott Car Park, reaching the Mourne Wall felt like the first real milestone of the day.

We stopped for a few minutes, took in the views and turned our attention to the next objective, Doan.

You can find out more information about the Mourne Wall here.

REACHING SLIEVE DOAN SUMMIT

Doan's summit might not have the height or profile of some of the Mournes' better-known mountain peaks but its position gives it something special.

From the top, Silent Valley, Lough Shannagh and Slieve Binnian opened out below us, with the wider Mournes stretching towards the Cooley Peninsula and beyond.

The summit was quiet. The air was fresh, the views were spectacular and there was plenty of time to stop and take everything in. After the climb, this was the payoff. Standing above the landscape we'd just walked through and seeing it from a different perspective.

The autumn light and clearer spells also gave us some great opportunities to capture the surrounding landscape from above. Looking back across the peaks, valleys and reservoirs gave us a completely different appreciation of just how much the Mournes have to offer.

Standing there, it was difficult not to think beyond the route we'd just completed.

There was still a lot more to explore in the Mournes!

OTHER WAYS TO REACH DOAN

Whilst our route started at Ott Car Park, it isn't the only way to reach Slieve Doan. Another established approach is from Bann's Road, following the route towards Lough Shannagh before continuing on to Doan. There are also longer mountain routes starting around Silent Valley, offering a different way to experience the surrounding High Mournes.

For a point-to-point journey, the Mourne Shuttle Service is worth knowing about. Services operate between designated starting and end points, including Meelmore Lodge to Ott and Meelmore Lodge to Bann's Road for the Lough Shannagh and Doan route. The service is chargeable and pre-booking is recommended, so it's worth checking the latest timetable and availability when planning your walk. More information found here.

And you don't necessarily have to tackle Slieve Doan alone either.

If you're new to hiking, building your confidence or simply prefer exploring the mountains with others, there are local groups offering opportunities to get out into the Mournes together. Mourne Rambling Group and Wee Binnian Walkers offer opportunities to explore the Mournes with others, while Mourne Mountain Adventures provides guided mountain experiences and navigation training.

Whether you choose an alternative route, use the shuttle service or join a group, there are plenty of ways to experience Slieve Doan.

SLIEVE DOAN HIKE — QUICK GUIDE FROM MOURNE PEAK

MORE THAN JUST A MOUNTAIN

Looking back, the hike wasn't about ticking another summit off the list. It was about getting back out there, exploring somewhere close to home and seeing the Mournes from a different perspective. Keep moving. Keep exploring.

Around 2pm, roughly four hours after leaving Peak HQ in Mayobridge, we were back home. Another mountain climbed, another few hours spent exploring, and a camera roll full of reminders of why I love these mountains.

And maybe that's what makes Slieve Doan so special.

It's not the highest peak in the Mournes. It doesn't have the profile of Donard or Binnian but tucked away among some of the range's bigger mountains, it offers something pretty special. Huge views, a quieter trail and a different perspective on the Mournes.

For us, Doan feels like one of the Mournes' best-kept secrets and that's what Mourne Peak is about. Getting outside. Exploring what's on our doorstep and finding something worth coming back for.

You don't always need to travel somewhere new to find an adventure. Sometimes, you just need to look a little closer to home.

The Mournes are more than mountains. They're our home.

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If you've enjoyed reading about our day on Slieve Doan and seeing the Mournes from our perspective, join the Peak Community for more stories from the mountains, early access to new series, special subscriber offers and what's coming next from Mourne Peak.

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