This week’s long run saw myself and a few friends tackle a well trodden loop; the Mourne Way, Trassey Track to Hare’s Gap and back along the Brandy Pad.

Mourne Way, Trassey Track & Brandy Pad.

It was a supremely wet and windy morning in Lisburn as I arrived at the car share location just after 7am; the forecast wasn’t looking much better for the rest of the day. We arrive in Donard Park, Newcastle, and managed to set off at 8.30am. It was still dark, and the wind was howling through the trees. There wasn’t much chance of my feet staying dry for long, especially in a pair of INOV8 Trailroc 150, which were getting their second outing.

Colm & Martin dressed for the occasion!

We set off on the Mourne Way up through Donard Park to the Millstone Mountain quarry, and on to Tollymore Forest Park. Now 10.30am, the rain had eased, only to be replaced with a bitterly cold wind.

Taking a welcome fuel & photo stop in Tollymore!

Raging white water in the Shimna River, Tollymore.

We continued through Tollymore and up towards the start of the Trassey Track. At this point we followed the Trassey Track to Hare’s Gap, and then back along the Brandy Pad to the Slieve Donard/Commedagh Col. A short-quick decent through the forest and we were back to the car. All in all a good day, covering 27Km and a total of 1045 meter of climbing.

Elevation profile totalling 1045m

Here’s a link to the activity on Strava