Belinda Dixon has researched Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland guidebooks for Lonely Planet and produces podcasts for Ordnance Survey (OS). She has led wilderness expeditions to the Indian Himalaya, Iceland and the Canadian Yukon with the youth development charity, British Exploring.
The Mourne Mountains
Best for: blissfully uncrowded walking holidays
Northern Ireland is a fantastic place to escape the UK's more crowded walking destinations. With stunning mountains, coast and moorland, it offers as much for the keen hiker as Scotland, Wales or the more rugged corners of England, just with a fraction of the visitor numbers.
The Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland's highest hills, are a firm favourite with excellent trails that skirt granite-topped peaks and rolling foothills.
Taxis are geared up for walkers with baggage transfer services available, but most people come here for centre-based walking holidays tackling a new day hike each morning.
At a glance
Destinations
Mourne Mountains
Activity
Active, Walking
