Silent Valley Walk

There are some traditions that simply don't need an excuse. For me, summer means one thing—heading for the mountains. With northwest Europe enjoying one of the warmest and sunniest summers in years, there was no chance I was going to waste a perfect weekend indoors. So, on a bright Saturday morning, I packed my gear and drove north to the spectacular Mourne Mountains in County Down, Northern Ireland.

Known locally as the Mournes, this mountain range rises dramatically above the Irish Sea and is famous for its rugged granite peaks, peaceful reservoirs, and, usually, unpredictable weather. Rain is often part of the experience here, which made visiting during the incredible summer of 2026 feel even more rewarding. I have a feeling this summer will be remembered for years to come. Mark my words.

My plan was an ambitious 20-kilometre loop around the beautiful Silent Valley Reservoir, taking in both the impressive Silent Valley Dam and Ben Crom Dam before climbing several of the surrounding peaks.

The adventure began at the Silent Valley Café, where I set off towards Ben Crom Dam. From there, the real work started as I climbed towards Slievelamagan. This was easily the most demanding section of the day. The route across the rocky mountainside was difficult to follow, with only faint traces of a path appearing every now and then. It required constant concentration and plenty of patience, but every glance behind me revealed increasingly spectacular views that made the effort worthwhile.

After reaching Slievelamagan, I continued across to Cove Mountain before making my way towards Slieve Beg and eventually Hare's Gap. Every summit revealed another breathtaking panorama of rugged mountains, shimmering reservoirs, and endless green valleys stretching towards the coast. It's easy to understand why the Mournes are considered one of Ireland's most beautiful mountain ranges.

Not everything went according to plan, though. The hiking app I was relying on wasn't as accurate as I'd hoped, and somewhere along the route I found myself taking an unnecessary detour. What should have been a straightforward section added roughly an hour and a half to my day. It was frustrating at the time, but that's part of mountain hiking—sometimes the route decides for you.

Eventually, I stopped beside one of the lakes for a well-deserved 30-minute break. Sitting there in complete silence, surrounded by mountains and crystal-clear water, made every difficult step worthwhile. Recharged, I followed the trail back down to the Silent Valley Café car park, where my adventure had begun several hours earlier.

As beautiful as the scenery was, my biggest battle wasn't with the mountains—it was with my boots.

I bought them during the COVID-19 years, and despite costing a small fortune, they've never really fitted properly. They're simply too big. From almost the first kilometre, the soles of my feet were in constant pain. By the end of the hike, every step hurt, and I'm honestly amazed I managed to complete the entire route. Unfortunately, expensive doesn't always mean perfect, and before my upcoming trip to Scotland I'll finally have to admit it's time for a replacement.

This hike was never just about exploring the Mournes. It was also a training day for a much bigger challenge—climbing Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, later this year. If the Mournes taught me anything, it's that fitness is only half the battle. Good equipment can make the difference between enjoying the journey and simply enduring it.

I also packed my drone, hoping to capture the incredible scenery from above. Sadly, the strong winds that sweep across these mountains had other ideas, limiting the amount of flying I could safely do. Fortunately, I still managed to capture a few aerial shots, and one of my favourites is the photo above.

When I finally reached the car, I was physically exhausted. My legs were heavy, my feet were aching, and I still had a long drive home ahead of me. But that's the strange magic of the mountains. No matter how difficult the day has been, the pain fades remarkably quickly, while the memories stay with you forever.

The Mourne Mountains challenged me more than I expected, but they also reminded me exactly why I keep coming back. Sometimes the best adventures aren't the easiest ones—they're the ones that push you just beyond your comfort zone and leave you already planning your next return.