This is an interesting circular cycle route between Finnis and Castlewellan, passing through some very pleasant countryside with spectacular views of the Mourne Mountains.

Route Factfile

Distance:	20 miles
Advice:	A long cycle with some steep sections
Start and Finish:	Finnis Village
Refreshments:	Available at Seeconnell, Castlewellan and Leitrim

Route Finder
From the village of Finnis, cross the bridge and take Dree Hill Road until you come to a T-junction.  At this point turn left onto Clonvaraghan Road and follow the road in the direction of Seeconnell.  The first part of the journey is a very steep incline and you may wish to dismount.  At the top of the hill on the left, you have a magnificent view of Slieve Croob from the car park and picnic area, which also has access to the Slieve Croob mountain. Just prior to the Seeconnell Centre, turn right into the Macinnish Road, join the Ardglass Road and continue along this road until you come to another T-junction.  Turn left onto the Ribadoo Road continuing on straight through the crossroads and follow the Clarkhill Road along Clarkhill Wood. Turn right onto the Old Road and then left onto the Bannanstown Road, which joins the Drumbuck Road (taking you towards Castlewellan along the boundary of the National Arboretum).  At the T-junction, turn right onto the A25 and continue up Mill Hill into Castlewellan town centre. Follow the A25 through Castlewellan and continue on past the second roundabout in the direction of Rathfriland.  Turn Right into the Altnadue Road and follow this road until you come to a T-junction.  The route here is very steep in places and you may wish to dismount.  Crossing the A50, take the Ballymagreehan Road to the junction with the Dolly’s Brae Road.  Turn right and then left onto the Leitrim Road, which brings you to the picturesque village of Leitrim.  Refreshments are available at the Corner shop or Finns pub, which has a tourist information point.  At the crossroads, turn right onto the Backderry Road passing the football ground on your right.  Take a left turn onto Herons Road and continue along this road until you come to another crossroads.  Go straight through the crossroads onto the Benraw Road and follow this road until you come to a T-junction. To view the Legananny Dolmen, turn right at this point and then left onto Legananny Road.  The Dolmen is located a short distance off the Dolmen Road as indicated by the signposts.  Retrace your route back and turn right into Legananny Hall Road, continuing until you come to the T-junction.  Then turn right onto the Slievenaboley Road, going past the Windy Gap with its spectacular views until you come to a staggered crossroads.  Take a further right turn onto the Carrigagh Road (look out for the wooden finger post to ‘Binders Cove/Finnis Souterrain’ which is worth a visit) and continue straight along this road until you reach the village of Finnis.

Points of Interest

Finnis	Finnis is located on the B7 Dromara to Rathfriland road.  It is the home of the ‘smallest, oldest and most haunted pub in Ireland’ and provides the access point to Dree Hill, which is a single track road, giving access into the Slieve Croob hills.
Slieve Croob	Slieve Croob (from the Irish for ‘the Mountain of the Hoof’) rises to 534m (1755 ft) and is the source of the River Lagan.  This magnificent mountain presides over the Dromara Hills and offers spectacular views of the higher Mourne Mountains to the south.  The best viewpoint is found at the Windy Gap.
Seeconnell	Seeconnell is a townland on the lower slopes of Slieve Croob towards Castlewellan.  The Slieve Croob Inn located on the Clonvaraghan Road, offers welcome refreshments to weary passers by.
Castlewellan	Castlewellan is a market town on the main Downpatrick to Dublin road.  It is uniquely laid out, with 2 main squares and a broad main street designed by a French architect in the style of a French market town.  Castlewellan Forest Park, with its excellent facilities, extends from the centre of town northwards into the countryside to the foot of Slieve Croob.
Legananny Dolmen	Dating from circa 4000 BC this granite dolmen is located on the southern fringe of the Slieve Croob mountain range.  The structure consists of two portal stones to the south, one 5ft 9ins high, the other 6ft and a further single support at the north end, 4ft high.  The large capstone, almost 2 ft in diameter, gives the structure its distinct tripod appearance.
Finnis Souterrain	Also known as Binder’s Cove, Finnis Souterrain is located one mile from the Windy Gap towards Dromara and is one of the Mourne’s least known treasures.

Accommodation

Dornan's Clachan - 3* Self-Catering

Henry John's Clachan - 3* Self-Catering

Slieve Croob Inn - 3* Guesthouse

Cycle Hire

The Cycle Centre 31a Church Square Banbridge Co. Down T: 028 4066 2863

Ross Cycles 9 Railway Street Newcastle Co. Down T: 028 4372 5525

Wiki Wiki Wheels 10b Donard Street Newcastle Co. Down T: 028 4372 3973