Trassey to Bloody Bridge
A moderate linear walk linking Trassey Track and Bloody Bridge via the Brandy Pad, taking in sights such as the Mourne Wall, the Castles, Slieve Commedagh and Slieve Donard. A more challenging alternative route is an option, by summiting Slievenaglogh and Slieve Commedagh, then following the Brandy Pad to Bloody Bridge.
County Down
Distance 7.4 miles
OS Map 29
Terrain Unsurfaced mountain tracks
Nearest Town Bryansford
Route Shape Linear
Grid Reference J311314
Route Type Mountain
Turn left out of Trassey car park. Approx 50m ahead you will see double gates and a stone stile at the start of Trassey Track. Continue up this quarry track passing though another 2 sets of double gates, both of which have a kissing gate. The panorama of the mountains will open up in front of you. The path becomes increasingly steeper as it follows the Trassey River. Look up to your right to see the crags of Spellack which are popular with climbers. Continue up Trassey Track and ascend to Hare’s Gap, the col between Slievenaglogh and Slieve Bernagh. Cross the Mourne Wall using the stile or gate and bear left, picking up a well worn track (the Brandy Pad) which is much flatter. Continue along the Brandy Pad for 3 km where you will pass under Slievenaglogh, Slieve Corragh and Slieve Commedagh, the second highest peak in the Mournes. Stone steps will help you ascend the section of the Brandy Pad leading up to the col between Slieve Beg and Slieve Commedagh. At the obvious cairn on the col bear left passing under the craggy outcrops of the Castles on your left. Continue along the main path which traverses around the base of Slieve Donard to meet the wall at the Bog of Donard. Cross over the Mourne Wall and follow the obvious track down following the Bloody Bridge River. At the quarry, cross over the Bloody Bridge River and continue along the well used quarry track. After a pronounced zig zag in the path, take the track to the left towards the Bloody Bridge River. Cross the Bloody Bridge River using conveniently located boulders. Follow the river downstream, crossing a stile and a wooden footbridge across the Glenfofanny River. Continue following the river towards the coast and turn left when you reach the Ballagh Road. Bloody Bridge car park is 20m away on the opposite side of the road.
Optional extra (challenging): At Hare’s Gap, pass through the gate or over the stile and turn left and follow the Mourne Wall up and over Slievenaglogh (586m). Continue along the Mourne Wall over Slieve Corragh and the Pot of Legawherry. Continue along the Mourne Wall and ascend Slieve Commedagh (765m). Descend Slieve Commedagh to the col between Slieve Commedagh and Slieve Donard, picking up the Brandy Pad to the Bog of Donard. Follow route description to Bloody Bridge car park as above.
Trassey Track, Hare’s Gap, the Mourne Wall, The Castles, Slieve Donard, Brandy Pad, Bloody Bridge.
The walk starts at Trassey car park. To get here follow the Hilltown Road out of Bryansford for 2.9 km, turn left at the junction with Trassey Road and continue for 1.3 km, Trassey car park is on the left hand side.
Dogs must be kept on leads
Car park and picnic facilities available at Trassey and Bloody Bridge car parks. Disabled toilet and baby changing facilities available in Bloody Bridge car park. Further car parking, cafe, toilets, camping and accommodation available at Meelmore Lodge l
Grade 5
- There may not be a formalised path, and variable, single file trails are to be expected.
- Gradients and cross slope could be expected to be steep and not limited.
- Obstacles and surface breaks of greater than 75mm measured across the line of the path to be expected.
- Overhanging branches are possible. Passing places and rest areas may not be formalised or provided.
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Walk Route
Trassey to Bloody Bridge
Beautiful walk especially the Brandy Pad section. The views from this section were amazing. Went to Hare’s Gap from Trassey via the path on the side of the mountain instead of the usual climbing up boulders. A bit longer but more manageable. This is a straightforward walk, hard to get lost and instructions were good. It’s definitely a walk we would love to do again and again.
When I lived there and worked in an outdoors area this was our favourite area, we would take the children along the easier path from the bridge to Hare’s Gap, for leisure tackle Commedagh and Bearnagh. It has changed with paths,necessary to preserve the area, Commedagh from this side has wonderful views west into Co Armagh, fruther South, birds like ravens enjoyed it too playing on the thermals rising from the valley, Bearnagh Is a very difficult, sometimes dangerous climb with many scattered, loose boulders but the beauty and the sense of achievement that you’ve made it to the top was always a great reward, just be careful in bad weather as the bogs become extremley wet, we found we had to keep to the rocky foot of the mountains and the paths and boulders become slippery
Started the walk in the opposite direction ( Bloody Bridge) to the afore mentioned posts. Fairly steep at the start – but we’ll worth it – excellent views and points of interest along the way. Take my hat off to the men who built the wall – Going this direction you can finish with a welcome rest and refreshments at Meelmore Lodge – psst…. you can eat without feeling guilty.