Mullaghbane Mountain

A proper hill walk rather than a mountain in the dramatic sense, Mullaghbane sits just outside Newry and gives you proper views across County Down if the weather plays ball. On a clear day you can see far enough to make the effort worthwhile; on a grey one, you're mostly walking through cloud wondering why you bothered.

The ascent isn't steep enough to demand serious fitness, but it's not a gentle stroll either - allow a good couple of hours there and back from the nearest car park. The summit itself is a bit underwhelming if you're honest, just moorland and grass rather than any dramatic peak, but the surrounding landscape opens up nicely once you're up there. Walkers will get the most from this one; families with young kids might find it a slog without the payoff they'd want.

There's no visitor infrastructure to speak of, so bring water and decent boots. Free to access, naturally. The best time is late spring through early autumn when the weather's less likely to ruin the whole thing and the paths aren't boggy. Winter can be grim up here.

If you're staying at Hilltop Hideaway nearby - and honestly, a night in one of those pods with a hot tub sounds rather lovely - Mullaghbane makes a solid morning walk before heading back for lunch. It's the sort of place that works perfectly as part of a wider walking holiday in the Mournes rather than a destination in itself.