Carn Mountain

The walk up Carn Mountain rewards you with proper views across the Mourne range - on a clear day you're looking out towards the Irish Sea and back towards Newry. It's not the highest peak around here, but that's rather the point. You'll avoid the crowds that queue up for Slieve Donard, yet still get that genuine sense of achievement once you're up there.

The ascent itself is straightforward enough, taking most walkers about an hour from the car park. The terrain is manageable but gets rockier as you climb, so decent boots matter. Early morning is your best bet if you want solitude - by mid-afternoon, especially weekends, you'll have company. Spring and autumn give the cleanest visibility.

This works brilliantly if you're basing yourself at one of the nearby glamping sites - Oakwood and Greenview are just three miles away - or the caravan parks dotted around Tollymore. It slots naturally into a longer Mourne exploration, perhaps combining it with a walk through Tollymore Forest Park itself, which is within spitting distance.

Who gets the most from it? Walkers after a half-day outing, families with kids old enough for a proper climb, and anyone wanting the Mourne experience without the formality of the big peaks. You're looking at a two to three hour round trip if you're taking your time. Absolutely free, and you can rock up whenever suits you. The views are worth the effort, though do check the weather forecast first - cloud cover makes it rather dull.