Sat 27th Dec 2025
Mournes - Slieve Corragh


Fifteen Spartans gathered at Meelmore Lodge for a hike to get rid of the Christmas pud and too much Christmas eating.
 
The day had started with beautiful blue skies but unfortunately on arrival at Meelmore Lodge the northern Mournes appeared covered with cloud/mist below summit level. 
 
Nevertheless the group headed out and took the green road to the top of Slievenaglogh.

We then followed the wall along the ridge to the summit of Slieve Corragh.


We had lunch slightly below the summit of Slieve Corragh to avoid a cold wind.

Gradually the visibility began to improve and we then headed down to the Brandy Pad and back to the Hares Gap and down the Trassey Track to Meelmore Lodge.
 
Many stayed for tea and a further bit of chat after the walk!
 
Thanks to all who came for the chat and craic!
 
David F

Sat 20th Dec 2025
Castlewellan Forest Park

Seven Spartans gathered for a pre-Christmas relatively short hike in Castlewellan Forest Park.
The weather was kind as although a bit overcast the walk was dry. We ascended Slievenaslat the highest point in the forest and descended passing some of the numerous small lakes in the demesne. There was a short lunch stop and plenty of chat. Total distance was about 10km.
​
David F

Sat 13th Dec 2025
​Camlough Mountain

Five Spartans met in Camlough Village on a dry but blustery morning. Knowing that the forecast was for rain in the afternoon we didn’t waste much time and got going up towards the mountain.
 
The first section of the walk was mountain roads and forest roads with views of the Mournes, the Cooleys and Carlingford as we gained height.
Realising that the mountain was protecting us from the worst of the wind we decided to have lunch before the final ascent onto the summit.
 
After a very windy and wet traverse across the summit ridge of the mountain the homeward section was a pleasant walk with the mountain again protecting us from the majority of the elements.
 
Graham P

Sat 6th Dec 2025
Winter Walk, Antrim Hills


​Seven of us set off from Knockdhu car park a mile above Carncastle.  A bit of a climb up onto the ridge then along wide open ground before heading over Ballygilbert Hill and a quick lunch break just below Blacks Hill.

Quite misty and dull for most of the way but stayed dry and mild, so unfortunately not a day for scenic views. Eventually we joined the road and a pleasant walk into Glenarm.

The walk was just over six miles and we got finished around 2.30pm giving ourselves lots of time to chat and enjoy some cakes and buns in the little cafe on the village Main Street.

Thanks to everyone for a lovely day.

Jack L

Sat 29th Nov 2025
Divis and the Black Mountain

Eleven had a great walk over Divis and the Black Mountain. Weather was really cold with just a few skiffs of rain.
 
Extensive work on the hills is starting in a few weeks - the trails will still be partly open but the boardwalk area will be closed and the Divis trail will be closed at the summit. 
 
Everyone had an enjoyable 3 hour walk.
 
Nonie S

Sat 22nd Nov 2025
Columban Way - Part 2

​Eleven of us set off along the very pleasant Mountain Road into Newtownards, part two of the Columban Way.

After a short walk through the town we climbed up to Scrabo Tower.

Thanks to the very calm and clear weather conditions we got lovely majestic views over Strangford Lough on one side and across the densely wooded Clandeboye Estate to Belfast Lough beyond.

After lunch we passed through Killynether Woods and onto the road which took us down to Comber and into the café at SuperValu.

Thanks everyone, I really enjoyed!
​
Jack L

Sat 8th Nov 2025
​Yellow River


​
​Eleven Spartans gathered at Yellow River car park in the Mournes on a lovely sunny and mild day.

We followed the Yellow River gorge up through the forest admiring the lovely autumn colours.

It became quite misty at the top and we proceeded to Tievedockdarragh where normally there is a great view of Carlingford Lough. However it was misty so we did not see much.

We proceeded to Pierces Castle by which time the mist had lifted and we had nice views in the sunshine.  
Here we had lunch. We then climbed Tornaman Rock and Rocky before returning along the valley to the start. A great day in beautiful autumn colours.

​David F
 

Sat 25th Oct 2025
​Autumn Walk - Crawfordsburn and Clandeboye


​Lovely Autumn colours throughout the woodlands on our ramble up to Cairn Hill from Crawfordsburn Glen and a mixture of sunshine and showers along the way.

Lunch at the top of Cairn Hill and returned to Crawfordsburn through Clandeboye Estate.

Just over eleven miles in total.

Thanks to everyone for a really lovely Autumn walk.

Jack L

Sat 18th Oct 2025
Castle Ward



​Fourteen of us had a really good walk round the periphery of Castle Ward. 
Autumn colours were beautiful - possibly the best time of the year to be there. We finished with refreshments in the courtyard - a lovely day.
 
Nonie S

Sat 11th Oct 2025
​Carnlough to Cushendall over the Garron Plateau


​Lucky with the weather today, calm and settled and mild with clear views.

Perfect for the annual Autumn slog up to the Trosks then along the way-marked trail to pick up the Altmore Burn and down into Glenariff with those magnificent views across the Glen and the dark outline of the Mull of Kintyre far out in the North Channel.

Lots of Autumn colours in the trees and of great interest was all the different coloured fungi at either end of the walk.

Thanks to everyone for a lovely day’s hiking, really enjoyed!!  
 
Jack L

Sat 6th Sept 2025
Knocklayde



​Fifteen Spartans enjoyed a walk to the summit of Knocklayde outside Ballycastle. For some it was a chance to see this mountain again after many years since their last climb of it!

​It was a cloudy day with a cold breeze at the summit but thankfully no rain.
 
Following the walk most of us went to Dolly's Coffee shop for an enjoyable cuppa.
 
Derek K

Sat 16th Aug 2025
​Columban Way
                        Jack L

Sat 9th Aug 2025
​Carn and Lough Shannagh


​On a sunny Saturday morning fourteen Spartans (with a rare appearance of our illustrious secretary Rambling Nigel), we met at the Game Keepers Lodge for a stroll in the Mournes.

Heading up the track to the Cast Iron Gate then up a short section against the Mourne wall to intersect the north subsidiary wall to head for Carn Mountain. A short break at the upper ravine of the Miners Hole River before the slog up to the summit.

As per usual there was plenty of banter in the ranks as the slog up Carn took on epic proportions for some! Lunch was enjoyed at the top with great views out to the higher Mournes.

Heading down to the stile and then on down the ravine to Loughshannagh. Another short break as we prepared for a Slog in a Bog.

Meanwhile some were debating the advantages of cable cars and escalators as we crossed the new bridge at the outlet of the Lough.

One more short break and of back to the finish at the Lodge. With most people going to Meelmore Lodge for tea, Coffee and cold drinks afterwards. Overall it was a good day out.

PS:  For those who might be interested there is already an ‘Escalator’ in the Mournes! It’s an easy beginner climbing route on Hen.
​
John McB

Sat 2nd Aug 2025
​Commedagh

Meelmore Lodge was a hive of activity as seventeen of us gathered there to begin our hike up Commedagh. What with campers, hikers and 170 Harley motorcycles about to arrive we found it difficult to get a parking spot. Eventually we set off and walked up the lane to cross over the stile at the wall before continuing along a track which led us to the ‘green lane’. We followed this track all the way up to meet the wall at Slievenaglogh where we had a welcome break for 10 mins.


​Continuing along the wall it wasn’t long before we reached Slieve Corragh followed by the Pot of Legawhirry. We had fantastic views all the way and were rewarded with more views once we reached the summit of Commedagh.

We had a very pleasant lunch break just taking in the views around us and enjoying the beautiful day. Then it was time to make our way back - we dropped down to the Brandy pad and followed it round to Hare’s Gap before descending down to the Trassey track and back to Meelmore.

 
We took 6 hours and walked approx 15km. A most gorgeous day to be in the Mournes.

Marian M

Sat 19th - Sat 26th July 2025
​Summer Trip - Castletownbere, Co Cork
Thanks to Carrie for organising, to Janet for the photos and to all the Walk Leaders for a very enjoyable week!

Mon 14th Jul 2025
Eagle Mountain



​

​Ten Spartans met at Attical village to begin a walk up the Pigeon Rock River valley towards Eagle mountain.

After a short journey to park the cars we walked up the valley  and then bore left up the long escarpment leading to Shanlieve.

We paused for coffee on the way up with great views over to Binnian and the central Mournes.


On top of the escarpment we walked above the impressive cliffs facing the valley. Lunch was had after reaching the summit of Eagle. We then descended to Windy gap before returning along the valley to Attical.

The weather was beautiful as well as the views.

The day finished with coffee and cake (thanks to Kyle) at the cottage of Rachel and David near the Silent valley. The chat was good as we sat outside in the heat!
 
David F

Sat 5th Jul 2025
Slieve Donard




Five of us had a great walk up Donard from Bloody Bridge. We kept to the right side of the river which is much pleasanter than up the rough road to the quarry.  It was windy but the wall sheltered us to the top of Donard.

We descended to the col then back along the Brandy Pad.

9 miles and 850m ascent, so a great day had by all!

Nonie S

Sat 21st Jun 2025
​Crockbrack and Crockmore - Sperrins


It was very pleasing to see fifteen Spartans turn out for a rare foray into the West and visit the beautiful Sperrin mountains. In contrast with the walks in recent weeks the weather was not only dry and sunny- but at times oppressively hot!

​The intense heat certainly made the climbing on this walk more difficult than usual. Maybe it was worth it all for the view from the lunch stop at the top - I think we felt we could have just sat there all day and watched the sunset! Alas, it was not to be, and we had to walk back down.

​The final climb up the main road back to the community centre seemed harder than ever on a day like this! Unfortunately, the Community Centre was not open for ice creams this time and only some of us managed to extract some cold drinks from an incomprehensible machine outside.
​Still, it was a fitting day for Midsummer’s Eve and as usual everyone enjoyed the company and chat along the way.
 
Derek K

Sat 24th May 2025
​Slieve Foye and Barnavave Ridge


​A large group of Spartans had decided to head to Carlingford for the May Bank holiday weekend. Unfortunately the weather broke on the friday afternoon. However we were lucky on Saturday morning as although there was some cloud on Slieve Foye the Barnavave ridge next to Slieve Foye was clear.

A good group headed up behind Carlingford village to climb up to the ridge. We then followed it to Barnavave with its cross on its summit. We did make a short diversion down a subsidiary ridge but a farmer was not too keen on our route. so we climbed back up to Barnanave. We then walked the whole ridge to the eastern end of the ridge.




​We returned by the same route. There were some nice views in changeable weather and the route seemed surprisingly wild.

Some adjourned to PJs Pub afterwards. As we sat there the heavens opened with rain so we had managed to get the walk in reasonable weather.
 
David F

Sat 17th May 2025
​Butter Mountain and Doan

​A group of about fifteen Spartans gathered at Spelga Dam car park on a glorious day. We headed up Butter Mountain and then down to Ott layby and on over Ott mountain. After a coffee break  we headed to the Mourne Wall and down to Lough Shannagh. Here we had lunch by the lough which was glimmering in the sun. So tempting was the lough that one of our number went for a swim. Unfortunately some people had left some litter at the lough side and the group helped pick this up. Very community spirited! What a pity some do not respect the outdoors.

We then climbed Doan Mountain and paused at the top for the nice views before heading back the way we came. We arrived at Spelga car park having enjoyed a great day in great sunshine.
 
David F

Sat 10th May 2025
Mournes - Meelmore and Meelbeg
​Saturday proved to be a very successful walk for fourteen Spartans.  Blue sky, wonderful views and sufficiently tired after climbing Meelmore and Meelbeg.
 
Barbara B

Sat 3rd May 2025
​Newcastle, Murlough and Dundrum



​
​Ten of us had a stunning walk along Newcastle beach, through Murlough, Dundrum, and along the old railway line. 

Views were great, there were at least 90 seals across at Ballykinlar, and we felt that we narrowly avoided been shot at during the army shooting practice time!

Nonie S

Sat 26th Apr 2025
​Commedagh


​The weather looked a bit bleak and misty arriving at Donard Carpark. Despite this fifteen brave souls ventured out. The carpark was busy due to a sponsored walk up Slieve Donard that day.

On up to the Saddle, we had loads of fit young people passing us. Most had surprising good footwear which is unusual for these events. It remained dry but the mountains were still covered with mist. Two folks dropped out before the Saddle and another stopped at the Saddle. We were now down to twelve. Carried on up to the top of the wall and then progressed to the actual top of Commedagh. Miraculously the cloud and mist cleared and we had beautiful views down to Newcastle and Dundrum. 


​It remained sunny for the rest of the day.
 
We walked down past the Pot of Pulgarve which fortunately was wind and mist free. The path is not very distinct but quite steep and it would be difficult in bad weather. We headed towards Shan Slieve and headed back down towards the Glen River Path meeting it at where the woods begin.

It is normally possible to go through Donard Wood but the mess from Storm Eowyn was still evident. This meant a slightly longer trek back down the Glen River Path to Donard Carpark. We arrived back in time for a well earned coffee.
 
Richard M

Sat 5th Apr 2025
Sallagh Braes, Antrim Hills
There were nineteen of us on the walk this year. And what a difference a year makes. Last year it was persistent rain and wind. This year it was blue skies and wall to wall sunshine, although there was a cool easterly breeze. The terrain underfoot was also relatively dry. As for wildlife, we got a glimpse of a hare but no grouse or merlins this year and our friends, the hairy beasts with horns and no eyes, who we normally meet, were nowhere to be seen. A great walk in good company and perfect weather. Thanks to the drivers for ferrying walkers at both ends.
 
David W

Sat 15th Mar 2025
​Donaghadee to Holywood

​The weather was ideal for walking today, bright sun but a bit of a chilly breeze on the seafront. It did cloud over in the afternoon which made it feel a bit colder. Spring seemed to have arrived.

An early start for this walk, we caught the 9.55am bus from Bangor bus station to Donaghadee arriving there at 10.15am. The seven of us started almost immediately to make the best of the good weather. The views of the Copeland Islands were spectacular and the clear weather showed parts of Scotland. There was debate as to what parts could actually be seen but we all agreed we could see Paddy's Milestone (Ailsa Craig).
We reached Orlock and walked out towards the headland. It was a bit muddy underfoot but not as bad as usual. A few other walkers coming the other way but remarkably few given the fine weather.

We walked on, going around the caravan park to reach Groomsport in time for an early lunch, just after 12.00. We walked around Ballymacormick Point which is probably the most picturesque part of the route.

We made good progress along to Ballyholme Beach where, fortunately the tide had sufficiently receded to allow us to continue without getting our feet wet.

At 2.00pm we arrived in Bangor where some walkers left us. We had a well earned coffee in the Pickie Pool restaurant, some of us partaking of the tempting sweet things. Ann joined us at Carnalea Glen and we proceeded along Crawfordsburn Park, Grey Point and Helen's Bay. There were not so many cold water swimmers around today. Perhaps the brisk wind off the sea put them off.

We made a smart pace on the final stretch to Hollywood after passing Cultra. It seemed a long slog into Hollywood but we arrived at the train station at 5.30pm on schedule and in time for the Belfast train or the Bangor train. Five of us did the whole 29km so I think we all deserved a good rest on the train back.
 
Richard M

Sat 22nd Feb 2025
​Mournes

We had a great day with sunny weather for a change and  great views of Pigeon Rock, the steep sided Slievemoughanmore and Wee Slievemoughanmore.
Many thanks to all for your company.

​Frank H

Sat 15th Feb 2025
Mournes - Meelbeg and Slieve Loughshannagh

​Two of us had a misty but dry walk, starting at Ott carpark. We climbed Slieve Loughshannagh and Meelbeg (plenty of snow on top) and returned again over Meelbeg and skirted round Slieve Loughshannagh.
 
The path up to the wall is in a terrible condition. On our way down, We met 2 groups of probably foreign students, most of them wearing rather smart footwear!  Dear knows how they managed to get through the peat bog!!
​
Nonie S

Fri 7th Feb 2025
Annual Dinner

La Mon Hotel & Country Club was the venue for the 2025 Spartans Annual Dinner. A great venue with lovely food and superb craic and conversation as always.
​
Many thanks to Helen for organising, and to Lorna for the photos.

Sat 1st Feb 2025
Mournes - Ott, Carn and Doan



​Fifteen brave souls met at Ott car park on Saturday to a breezy, misty, cold day.

Still we all enjoyed the walk and meetings fellow Spartans.

Thanks to everyone.

Frank H

Sat 18th Jan 2025
Castle Ward and Audley Castle

Hasty decision on Thursday night, I decided to go to Castleward today. To my amazement seven others wanted to join. We began in the main carpark and picked up addional walker at Audley's Castle. Day a bit grey but still good conditions for walking.
 
We started off down the hill towards the yard famous in the opening episodes of "Game of Thrones". No bus loads of people in cloaks and swords thankfully. We then walked along the coast on the marked path towards 15th century Audley's Castle. You see the castle then it disappears in the woods, only to reappear further along. We ruined a lone cyclist's breakfast at the castle but he seemed well prepared with stove saucepans etc.
We crossed the road and carried on the path on the other side of the wall of Audleystown Road. First lunch was just before we entered the woods at Gate 6. The attendant at the entrance had warned us of possible route closures at this stage due to the damage done by Storm Darragh a few weekends ago. However the detours were well marked and whereas it shortened the route, it did not lessen our enjoyment of the walk.
 
After a second lunch, we continued virtually unhindered along the Boundary Trail. We ended up at the House and decided we had had enough with the lure of tea, coffee and lemon drizzle cake. A dry day, ideal for walking and electronic devices telling us we had done 7½miles.

​Richard M

Sat 11th Jan 2025
Divis and the Black Mountain



Eight brave souls climbed Divis Mountain today.

​We battled ice, slush, snow, mist, and a cold wind with no injuries!

Amazingly the cafe was open so we had a chance to thaw and dry out a little.

Not the best walk ever, but no one complained, and the company was great!

​Nonie S

Sat 4th Jan 2025
Mournes

​
​​Thirteen Spartans assembled at Meelmore Lodge on a cold but clear icy day. We set off up the Trassey Track towards Bearnagh and took the path which led to the col between Bearnagh and Meelmore. Two of our number left us at the Ford next to Trassey track to take the green road up to Slievenaglogh.
The remaking eleven Had a break at the col between Bearnagh and Meelmore for some warm coffee and soup. The track up had been quite icy so we took our time and were careful. We then climbed Slieve Bearnagh. As we climbed the ground became steadily white. At the top it was as though you were in snow the frost was so thick. The views were great due to really clear visibility on a winters day. We could see the Sperrins rising from inverted cloud over Lough Neagh. We could see the Wicklow mountains. The Isle of Man and the Lake District beyond and of course the Belfast Hills and nearer Hills.

We descended down to Hares Gap and then back along the Trassey Track to Meelmore. The going surprisingly was much easier on the way down. Finally we adjourned for coffee in Meelmore Lodge after a beautiful day out.

​David F