Minerstown to Dundrum – SKL's Walking Blog

23rd March 2026

Ten degrees but with a bitterly cold south-west wind – making if feel about two – in my face most of the day apart from the few miles from Ballykinler to Blackstaff.
I scooted up the private lane to the caravan park and on to the beach which saved me a bit of road.
Carrying on from where I finished with the Newcastle Way in Dundrum, the next few days will take in some of the Lecale Way as I follow the Ulster Way to Strangford.

The Minerstown Tavern and a grey start.

The mournes hiding behind the clouds and its grey upon grey.

To which we add the grey path.

Can we see the Waffen SS coming ashore at Minerstown Head? I think they’d laugh.

Tryella empty, but previous.

Leaving Tyrella, didn’t find them.

What size the jockeys?

Banging up the tarmac for a few.

Clouds lifting a little.

Dundrum across the bay but its a long way round for me.

Obviously, the Land Rover repair business needs a little repair.

On the neep tide the balls gather.

Ah. Nearly gone.

The old train tracks that once linked Downpatrick with Newcastle and took the city scum to the beach. We never looked back.

There ya go, just a mile from the finish.

I’m a dozy f’er. I keep picking hotels before checking to see if they either have a restauant open the night of my stay or, serve breakfast. I missed out on both on this one. I hate having to go out after my most necessary shower and warm up.