Booley and Butter, Mountain Ways Ireland, Slieve Gullion, Co. Armagh - Embrace a Giant Spirit
Booley and Butter, Mountain Ways Ireland, Slieve Gullion, Co. Armagh - Embrace a Giant Spirit Courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland

Slieve Gullion Mountain and Forest Park

📍 Armagh

🏛️ Attraction

Last updated: 27 May 2026

Overview

Rising 573 m (1,880 ft) above the surrounding plains, Slieve Gullion is the highest point in County Armagh and the dramatic centrepiece of the Ring of Gullion AONB. The mountain is the eroded core of a Paleocene volcanic complex, its slopes draped in heather, gorse and bracken. While the peak rewards hikers with panoramic views and ancient monuments, the eastern slope is home to the award-winning Slieve Gullion Forest Park – a self-contained destination of woodland walks, a scenic drive, a bustling café and a suite of family attractions.

Ancient Stones & Ancient Tales

Neolithic cairns and Bronze Age burials

At the summit sit two protected cairns that speak to thousands of years of human presence. The southern cairn is a Neolithic passage tomb dating to c.3500-2900 BCE. It stands as the highest surviving passage grave in Ireland, featuring a corbelled chamber, stone basins and human bone fragments uncovered during 1960s excavations. The northern cairn, likely Bronze Age (c.2000 BCE), contains two cist burials. Both monuments have been carefully stabilised by volunteer teams working under archaeological supervision.

Legends of the “Mountain of Mystery”

Local folklore has long called Slieve Gullion the “Mountain of Mystery”. The Cailleach Bhéara, a figure from Irish mythology, is said to dwell in the lake on the summit (Calliagh Bherra’s Lough, also known as the Lake of Sorrows). According to legend, the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill was tricked into swimming in the enchanted waters and emerged as an old man – the origin of his later nickname. The slopes also feature in tales of Cú Chulainn, who famously slew Culann’s ferocious hound in the surrounding area. Today, the wider landscape is recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark, celebrating 50 million years of volcanic activity and 6,000 years of continuous human occupation.

Geology & The UNESCO Geopark

Slieve Gullion is the exposed core of an ancient volcano that last erupted over 60 million years ago during the Paleogene period. The distinctive ring dyke – a circular band of harder volcanic rock – encircles the mountain and creates the classic ‘crag-and-tail’ glacial formation visible from the surrounding plains. Interpretive panels along the forest drive break down the volcanic processes, glacial sculpting and rare geology that make this area a natural classroom. Visitors can trace how ice and fire shaped one of Ireland’s most recognisable landscapes.

What to Do in the Forest Park

The eastern slope’s forest park is designed for mixed-age groups, combining active recreation with quiet woodland exploration.

  • Adventure Playpark – Features slides, climbing frames, a zip-line (the “Slieve Gullion ZIP”), a trim trail, a soft-surface toddler zone, a whimsical maze and outdoor gym stations. The park has won the Green Apple Environment Award and the Northern Ireland Tourism Award for Best Tourism Partner Initiative.
  • Fionn’s Giant Adventure – A mile-long, free story-trail weaving through fairy houses, dragons, the Giant’s Table, Ladybird House and the Cailleach Beara’s Lough. A printed Fairy Trail map is available at the visitor centre. Families with young children may want to bring a carrier, as the route passes through narrow woodland nooks.
  • Red Squirrel Safari – The forest is a stronghold for the rare red squirrel. Look near the play area or wildlife pond, especially during early morning or late afternoon hours.
  • Courtyard Café & Visitor Centre – The Synge & Byrne café serves coffee, teas, homemade treats and hearty meals. Adjacent to the seating area is a wildlife pond frequented by ducks and dragonflies. The information centre stocks maps, books and details on guided geology walks.
  • Scenic Forest Drive – A 10 km one-way loop around the mountain’s eastern slope offers sweeping views of the Armagh Drumlins and surrounding countryside. Pull-over points provide access to the ancient cairns and the Lake of Sorrows.
  • Mountain Biking – The forest drive is open to cyclists. A secure bike rack is provided near the café, and the route is popular with both road and mountain bikers.
  • Designated Camping – Small, low-impact campsites are permitted in marked areas. Campers must register at the visitor centre and follow the park’s Leave-No-Trace policy.

Walking the Mountain

The classic 13.5 km (9.5 mi) loop starts and finishes at the Slieve Gullion Courtyard car park. It takes approximately 3–4 hours for the average hiker and climbs 511 m. The route passes Ring of Gullion Way interpretive panels, the exterior of the South Cairn Passage Grave (currently closed for essential maintenance), and the mystical Calliagh Bherra’s Lough. The loop is well-marked and graded as a moderate day hike.

Note: Swimming is strictly prohibited in the summit lake, which is a protected sacred site. Weather on the mountain can shift quickly, so layered clothing, waterproofs and sturdy walking shoes are essential. Always carry a map and let someone know your planned route.

Practical Information

  • Location: County Armagh, within the Ring of Gullion AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark.
  • Opening times: Forest park attractions are generally open from dawn to dusk year-round. Seasonal hours for the play-park and adventure areas are listed in the front-matter. Check the visitor centre for temporary closures following severe weather.
  • Admission & Parking: Access on foot or by bicycle is free. Parking is free for the first hour; a modest charge applies thereafter. Current rates are displayed at the visitor centre.
  • Getting there: The main car park is the Slieve Gullion Courtyard, located just off the A1/N1 near the visitor centre. The route is well-signposted from the Newry-Armagh corridor. Ulsterbus routes 85 and 86 stop at Newry; from there, a local taxi or community shuttle can take you to the forest park entrance.
  • Accessibility: The visitor centre, café and several paved sections of the Fairy Trail are accessible. The summit trail is steep and uneven, making it unsuitable for wheelchairs.
  • Dogs: Welcome on the forest drive and most walking routes, but must be kept on a lead near wildlife, particularly during red-squirrel sightings.
  • Guided walks: Book guided geology or mythology walks at the visitor centre. School-group visits should be arranged in advance.

Nearby Attractions

  • Ardress House – An 18th-century National Trust house set in beautiful parkland, a short drive north of the mountain.
  • Dromintee – The gateway village to the Ring of Gullion, offering additional walking routes and local craft shops.
  • Ballymoyer Woodland – Extensive woodlands with historic ruins, ideal for a longer day out.
  • Camlough – A scenic lake and river area perfect for picnics and fishing.
  • Cailleach a Bhearas House – The ancient tomb and sacred lake that feature prominently in the mountain’s mythology.

Arrive early on summer weekends to secure parking before the car park fills, and remember to pick up a free trail map at the visitor centre to navigate the forest routes efficiently.