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The Granite Trail covers a relatively short distance from coast to open moorland. Located in Newcastle, County Down, the Granite Trail offers the opportunity to see artifacts from the once thriving granite industry of Mourne. Differing natural habitats can be enjoyed as you walk through coniferous forest and mature woodland beside mountain streams and rivers.
There are three component parts to this trail, providing the walker with a range of possible options or combinations.
PUBLIC NOTICE: Please be aware the forest road will be closed from 21 April 2026 until 4 May 2026 however a diversion is in place. Please adhere to all safety and diversion signage that is in place. (The forest road joins the Granite Trail approx. 100m uphill from the first bridge on the trail after leaving Donard Park). Click here to view the map.
Bogie Line Drinneevar Loop Donard Loop
Starting from Newcastle Harbour (Bogie Line & Drinneevar Loop) Walk up to the main Newcastle – Kilkeel road (beside the Harbour Inn). Cross the road with care and continue up Bogie Hill and up onto King Street.
A “Granite Trail” sign marks the direction to the start of the old Bogie Line, a cleared strip of forest on a 1 in 3 incline up towards Millstone Quarry. At the top of Donard Wood, cross the stile to access the Drinneevar Loop.
Follow the narrow path to your left hand side which takes you to a second stile over a dry stone wall. Cross the stile and continue along the path which leads upwards into the hillside. You will then descend briefly before taking the linear path to your right hand side, which leads up to Drinneevar Quarry (accessed through a gateway in the wall). Here you can see remnants of the Granite Industry, including stones that have been cut using the plug and feathers technique. Retrace your steps back along the linear route until you come to a 3rd stile which takes you back onto a forest road.
Follow the road until you reach a fork in the road. Take the left hand road and continue until you reach the Bogie Line. Turn right to descend onto Bogie Hill and the main A2 road.
Please be aware, the trail on the open mountainside is very narrow and is not waymarked, in order to minimise visual disruption.
WARNING – The trail includes quarries with loose spoil, old workings and unprotected drops. It is recommended that visitors keep to the trail.
Please click here to view The Granite Trail map
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