Mourne Mountains (St Patrick's Way) Stages
The Mourne Mountains (St Patrick's Way) in 6 stages — detailed stage-by-stage guide with distances, descriptions and accommodation for each section of the 82 miles pilgrimage through County Armagh & County Down, Northern Ireland.
The Mourne Mountains (St Patrick's Way) is divided into 6 walking stages, covering the 82 miles route through County Armagh & County Down, Northern Ireland. Each stage ends at a town or village where you can find accommodation, rest, and prepare for the next day's walk.
Use our stage-by-stage Mourne Mountains (St Patrick's Way) guide below to plan your walk, then use our route planning tool to book accommodation at each stage.
Stage-by-stage guide
Stage 1: Armagh to Scarva (20 miles). Begin at the Navan Centre outside Armagh — where Saint Patrick healed a local chieftain and was given land to build his church — and walk south through the countryside to Scarva on the Newry Canal towpath. View accommodation and details for the Armagh to Scarva stage.
Stage 2: Scarva to Newry (12 miles). Follow the Newry Canal towpath — the oldest summit level canal in Britain and Ireland — to the historic city of Newry, where Saint Patrick planted a yew tree as a symbol of his faith. View accommodation and details for the Scarva to Newry stage.
Stage 3: Newry to Rostrevor (9 miles). Walk through stunning scenery to the picturesque village of Rostrevor on Carlingford Lough, with views of the Mourne Mountains ahead and the Cooley Mountains across the lough. View accommodation and details for the Newry to Rostrevor stage.
Stage 4: Rostrevor to Newcastle (24 miles). The Mourne Mountains section — follow parts of the Ulster Way and Mourne Way through the foothills of Northern Ireland's highest peaks, past Slieve Donard where Saint Donard's hermit's cell still crowns the summit. CS Lewis holidayed here and the Mournes inspired his Narnia landscapes. View accommodation and details for the Rostrevor to Newcastle stage.
Stage 5: Newcastle to Dundrum (11 miles). Leave Newcastle past the Slieve Donard Resort and Royal County Down Golf Club, walk through Murlough National Nature Reserve's ancient sand dunes, and follow the inner bay to Dundrum. View accommodation and details for the Newcastle to Dundrum stage.
Stage 6: Dundrum to Downpatrick (10 miles). The final stage to Down Cathedral in Downpatrick — where Saint Patrick is buried and where Christianity in Ireland began. Visit Saul Church, the first ecclesiastical site in Ireland, and the holy wells at Struell along the way. View accommodation and details for the Dundrum to Downpatrick stage.
Accommodation by stage
Each stage of the Mourne Mountains (St Patrick's Way) ends at a town where you'll need overnight accommodation. The key towns are Armagh, Newry, Newcastle, Downpatrick. Use our route planning tool to find and book pilgrim-friendly places to stay at each stage of your walk.
Book accommodation in advance, especially during summer months and weekends. Some stages have limited options, so planning ahead is essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many stages are there on the Mourne Mountains (St Patrick's Way)?
The Mourne Mountains (St Patrick's Way) has 6 stages, covering the 82 miles route. Each stage ends at a town or village with accommodation options.
Which stage is the longest on the Mourne Mountains (St Patrick's Way)?
Stage lengths vary across the Mourne Mountains (St Patrick's Way). Check the stage-by-stage guide above for distances, and plan your daily walking distance accordingly.
Where do I find accommodation for each stage?
Use our route planning tool to find pilgrim-friendly accommodation at each stage of the Mourne Mountains (St Patrick's Way). The key towns for overnight stops are Armagh, Newry, Newcastle, Downpatrick.
Explore the Mourne Mountains (St Patrick's Way)
overview
accommodation