Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains
Down the Ards Peninsula, across Strangford Lough by ferry, then to Newcastle and the Mournes, finishing over the border in Carlingford.
- Distance
- 125 km (78 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 44 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- United Kingdom, Ireland
- Updated
- July 24, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 125 km (78 mi) with 8 stops, from Belfast to Carlingford. About 1 h 44 min of driving in total.
More road trips in United Kingdom, Ireland
Route description
Leave Belfast on the A20 through Newtownards and follow the eastern shore of Strangford Lough. Mount Stewart is about 30 minutes out, with its house and formal gardens right on the water. Continue down the Ards Peninsula to Portaferry, a small harbour town at the narrow mouth of the lough. The A2 on the outer coast is an alternative on the way back, with sea views and small fishing villages.
From Portaferry the Strangford Ferry carries cars across the fast tidal narrows to Strangford village in under ten minutes, usually every half hour. Castle Ward is just west of Strangford, a National Trust estate with lough-side trails and the farmyard used for Winterfell in Game of Thrones. Allow half a day if you want to walk or cycle the estate paths.
Take the A25 to Downpatrick and then the A2 via Dundrum to Newcastle, a seaside town where the Mourne Mountains drop to the sea. Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Northern Ireland at 850 m, is climbed from here. Tollymore Forest Park is five minutes inland, with riverside paths along the Shimna and a large car park; you pay at the barrier on the way in.
The A2 hugs the coast south to Annalong and Kilkeel, where a road turns inland to the Silent Valley Reservoir, surrounded by the dry-stone Mourne Wall. Continue via Newry and cross the open border into the Republic for Carlingford, a medieval town on Carlingford Lough. Note that once you cross the border, speed limits are in km/h and prices are in euro.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Belfast
United Kingdom - 227 km
Mount Stewart
HistoryGreyabbey, United KingdomA 19th-century house with some of the most admired gardens in the British Isles, on the shore of Strangford Lough. The National Trust charges entry; it lies on the A20 about 25 km from Belfast.
- 324 km
Portaferry
United Kingdom - 43 km
Castle Ward
HistoryStrangford, United KingdomAn 18th-century house with one Gothic and one classical front, and a farmyard used as Winterfell in Game of Thrones. The National Trust estate has trails along the lough shore; pay at the entrance off the A25.
- 533 km
Newcastle
United Kingdom - 63 km
Tollymore Forest Park
NatureNewcastle, United KingdomOld woodland along the Shimna River at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, with stone bridges, stepping stones and follies. Pay at the barrier on the way in; waymarked trails range from short loops to half-day walks.
- 715 km
Silent Valley Reservoir
NatureKilkeel, United KingdomA reservoir in the heart of the Mournes, ringed by granite peaks and the dry-stone Mourne Wall. NI Water runs the car park and charges a fee; walk along the dam or up the valley towards Ben Crom.
- 819 km
Carlingford
Ireland
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Belfast → Portaferry · 52 km · 0 h 43 minOn the way: Mount Stewart.Overnight nearby, for example: Castle Ward Caravan Park (2 km); EDYC Caravan and Camping Area (7 km).
- Day 2: Portaferry → Newcastle · 36 km · 0 h 30 minOn the way: Castle Ward.Overnight nearby, for example: Slieve Croob Camping (14 km); The Rock Caravan Site (7 km).
- Day 3: Newcastle → Carlingford · 38 km · 0 h 31 minOn the way: Tollymore Forest Park, Silent Valley Reservoir.Overnight nearby, for example: Slieve Gullion Getaways (16 km); Carlingford Marina Motorhome Aire Site (1 km).
Best time to go
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- United Kingdom: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Some bridges and tunnels charge tolls.
- Ireland: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Drive on the left. Barrier-free toll on the M50 around Dublin. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains?
3-day road trip of about 125 km (78 mi) with 8 stops, from Belfast to Carlingford. About 1 h 44 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 44 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains start and end?
It starts in Belfast and ends in Carlingford.
Which countries does Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains pass through?
United Kingdom and Ireland.
Where can you camp along Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains?
OpenStreetMap lists 45 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Slieve Croob Camping, Castle Ward Caravan Park and Standing Stones Lodge Caravan Park.
When is the best time for Strangford Lough and the Mourne Mountains?
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually May–September. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
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