This is a beautiful, moderate to easy, 13 kilometres walk, on quiet roads and grassy old tracks.
To reach the start of the walk, drive to Rostrevor. Follow the Shore Road, which becomes the Killowen Road, for about 7 kilometres, and to where it meets the Kilfeaghan Road. Park in the handy lay-by and walk up the Kilfeaghan Road. After 500 metres, notice a small green gate, on the left, giving access to a farmyard. Go through the gate and the next field, to visit the spectacular Kilfeaghan Dolmen.
Marvel at this magnificent example of the dolmen builder’s art, the 35 tons capstone, the gorgeous panorama, and return to the road.
As you walk up the glen notice the field names, carved on stones at the gateways. They are written in Irish but spelt phonetically.
Cross the ford, (AH or ÁTH), and carry on towards the old house, in ruins. Follow the rough track, keeping right. This will bring you to the edge of the forest, at Slievemiskan.
Enter the forest and, after 100 metres, turn left and follow the tarmac path for about 1 kilometre. Emerge from the forest at the base of Slievemartin, a great place for lunch.
Climb, steeply, up Slievemartin, using the mast and the concrete hut as your guide. On reaching the highest mast, walk towards the shorter masts and another concrete hut. Pass these and keep walking sout-east along the broad and grassy crest. As the ground begins to fall away, the crest narrows to give a fine path leading to Knockshee and an ancient cairn.
There are fine views of the Wicklow Mountains, the Isle of Man, Slieve Foye and Clermont Cairn, on one side, and the Mourne Mountains on the other.
On the Mourne side, zigzag down to a track which will bring you back, turning left, to the Kilfeaghan Road. You can retrace your steps from here .