Description 

Leaving the Forest Park car park, we go up to the South Cairn, then passing the Calliagh Beara Lough and on to the North Cairn. Descending the north side of the mountain until about halfway down, we take a track eastwards, roughly along the southern edge of Ballintemple Wood, and walk approx. 400 m over open ground to arrive at St. Moninna's Well. Here we pick up the Pilgrim Path to the old Killeavy churches. We continue along Ballintemple Road and then along a country lane close to the Killeavy Castle Hotel to return to Forest park car park.  

Forest track, mountain tracks (some recently upgraded), some poorly defined track and some open ground and finally some country road.

Gear Recommendations 

Usual. Poles definitely recommended for rather steep descent over open ground. 

Meeting Point Details/Link

Park in upper car park at the Information Centre

The Ring of Gullion is a fine example of a Caldera (or dyke) formed 60 million years ago by a volcanic collapse. Slieve Gullion, at 574 m, is the highest point in Co Armagh, sits in the centre of this dyke and the South Cairn on its peak is the highest carin in Ireland.

The first church at Killeavy was founded by St Moinna (also called St Blinne) in the 6th century. There were churches on the site up until the 16th century.