Silent Valley Heritage Trail
County Down
Distance 1.3 miles
OS Map 29
Terrain Easy well laid paths
Nearest Town Kilkeel
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference J306212
Route Type Parkland & Grassland
Stone way-markers are in place to help guide you. Follow the yellow arrows for the Heritage Trail. From the main car park you will pass the “Mourne Hand” art sculpture, follow the path past the duck pond and on towards the main visitor servicing area. En route, you will pass an original Watertown House as well as the memorial which commemorates the men who sadly lost their lives during the building of the dams. Walk on past the café and climb the steps, which take you past the Interpretive Centre. Visit the centre to learn more about the unique history associated with the park. Continuing on past the visitor centre, look to the skies to spot a red kite ! Continue along the path uphill and join the road which leads up to the lower dam wall of the Silent Valley reservoir. The trail then takes you along the embankment to the other side. Follow the way-markers to make your way past Sally Lough until you reach the start of the Nature Trail. From here, turn left and make your way back towards the main car park.
Silent Valley reservoir, Watertown, Mourne wall, granite quarry and natural heritage
The route begins in the main car park reached through the gates on the Head Road on the south side of the Mournes. The Silent Valley is sign posted for drivers travelling south from Newcastle and north from Kilkeel. There is an entrance fee.
During the summer months, Translink operate the Mourne Rambler Service- a circular route that stops at the gates of the Silent Valley. More information can be found on the Translink website.
Must be kept on a lead.
Toilets and refreshments available during summer months and public holidays at Silent Valley restaurant and information centre or in nearby Kilkeel. Disabled parking and toilets
Grade 4
- The path may not be hard and firm in all weathers with loose stones (not bigger than 10cm) with occasional tree roots and pot holes and will be at least 80cm wide for its entire length.
- The path gradients and cross slopes will be greater than 6°.
- Obstacles such as steps or stiles are to be expected and surface breaks may be larger 75mm in width.
- There will be a clear head height of greater than 2.10m for the entire length of the route.
- Passing places and rest areas may not be formalised or provided.
Comments will be reviewed and those that cause offence will be removed. This is at the discretion of WalkNI.
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Walk Route
Silent Valley Heritage Trail