Wednesday 23rd November | from 10am at the Slieve Donard Hotel
Day One will offer delegates exciting local adventure activity options that showcase the world-class experiences available within the destination. See options below, which are kindly provided by Life Adventure, Bike Mourne, Walk the Mournes/Peter Rafferty and Mountain Ways/Brian Hoey
These activities will be followed that evening by a local tourism showcase event from 7pm, with live music and plenty of networking opportunities!
Mixed Adventure day – Max 30 (15 per activity AM/PM)
Paddle Boarding on Castlewellan Lake (with Life Adventure)
Stand Up Paddle Boarding or SUP is a simply great activity, especially with top of the range SUP Boards on the sheltered waters of Castlewellan Lake… this is a must-try for adventurers of all ages and abilities.
This is available both as a Guided & Self-Guided option (min 2).
Lunch (included) will be by Scopers (delivered to Life Adventure building) – Scopers is the first ever zero waste and sustainable hot food bar on the island of Ireland it offers a range of dishes — including burgers, fish, desserts as well as a vegan option the menu will change with the seasons, ensuring only the freshest meals will be served.
Mountain Biking on the Castlewellan MTB Trails (with Bike Mourne)
With a stunning 19km red trail. The red trail enjoys incredible parkland views before splitting off and winding past Castlewellan Castle and onto Slievenslatwhere the fun then really begins with some great descents before the rolling homeward leg back to the trailhead.
This is available both as Guided & Self-Guided option (min 2).
Mixed Adventure day – Max 30 (15 per activity AM/PM)
Hill Walking on the Granite Trail (with Walk the Mournes/Peter Rafferty).
Starting at the Slieve Donard Hotel enjoy a guided walk of The Granite Trail that offers the chance to explore artefacts from the once thriving granite industry of Mourne. The trail covers a short but steep stretch from coast to open moorland, and a host of differing natural habitats can be enjoyed as you walk through coniferous forest and mature woodland beside mountain streams and rivers.
This is a Guided option.
Lunch (included) by Mourne Food Adventures (Delivered to the Trail) – packed lunch provided by Mourne Food Adventures who uses local ingredients for her home baked produce.
Electric Biking in Tollymore Forest Park (with Bike Mourne).
Enjoy the Buzz of Electric Biking on our Self-Guided Tollymore Forest Safari… Go Further, See More & Feel Awesome… Packed with stunning sights and photo opportunities in the UK’s oldest Forest Park, this safari is the perfect electric bike experience for visitors and locals alike. After a short overview and introduction to Electric Biking (no experience necessary!), you’ll be heading for Tollymore.
This is a Guided option.
Mixed Adventure day – Max 30 (15 per activity AM/PM)
Kayaking on Castlewellan Lake (with Life Adventure)
Sit on Top Kayaking is a simply great activity, especially with top of the range Kayaks on the sheltered waters of Castlewellan Lake… this is a must-try for adventurers of all ages and abilities.
This is a Guided option.
Lunch (included) will be by Scopers (Delivered to Life Adventure building) – Scopers is the first ever zero waste and sustainable hot food bar on the island of Ireland it offers a range of dishes — including burgers, fish, desserts as well as a vegan option the menu will change with the seasons, ensuring only the freshest meals will be served.
Foraging in Castlewellan Forest (with Mountain Ways/Brian Hoey)
Fully guided walk in Castlewellan Forest Park with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle. Learn how to forage responsibly and safely, what’s in season each month and where to find it. Foraging is a great way to appreciate seasonal change, connect with nature and find wild local ingredients.
This is a Guided option.
Mountain Biking only day – Max 15
Electric Mountain Biking on the Rostrevor MTB Trails (with Bike Mourne) With a mouth-watering 27km red trail, Rostrevor MTB Trail Centre is believed by many to be the top spot for mountain biking in Ireland. On the shores of Carlingford Lough, adjacent to the lively village of Rostrevor, the Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails offer some challenging mountain biking where efforts are rewarded with incredible coastal views and exhilarating single-track descents. From the heights of Slievemartin, where you enjoy the breath taking views over Carlingford Lough, you will then be able to enjoy a number of exciting descents and sections of northshore over to Yellow Water where the trail turns back and follows the Kilbroney Valley back to the trailhead.
This is available as both a Guided and Self-Guided option (min 2).
Brunch by Synge and Byrne Café located in Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor before setting off.