Mourne Alpacas - fabulous trekking and self catering stays!

Walking through the paddocks at Mourne Alpacas, you'll be surrounded by some genuinely lovely animals - soft, curious, and far more personable than you'd expect. The trekking here is the main draw: you lead your alpaca through the countryside around Hillsborough, and it's surprisingly relaxing. The animals set the pace, which means no rushing, just proper gentle countryside walks. Kids tend to get on well with them, though younger ones might find the hour-long treks a bit long if they're not keen on animals to begin with.

Beyond the day visits, they offer self-catering stays on the property itself, which is ideal if you want to extend a trip and spend time with the herd. It's a different sort of break - quieter, more hands-on than your standard holiday park experience.

For logistics, you'll want to check their website or ring ahead for booking and exact pricing, as details aren't straightforward to find. The location works well alongside the camping spots nearby - Slieve Croob Camping and Lakeside View Caravan Park are both within a few miles, and Pine Tree Hollow Glamping isn't far off either. You could easily combine a few days with the alpacas with stays at one of those parks if you're doing a proper week in the area.

Worth the detour if you like animals and want something off the usual tourist circuit. Not a two-hour commitment though - plan for the better part of a morning or afternoon.