Walk in the footsteps of ireland’s early Christian beginnings
Begin in Armagh — Ireland’s ancient ecclesiastical capital — where twin cathedrals, the Royal Site (Navan Fort), compact Georgian streets and atmospheric museums set the scene for a pilgrimage through history. Spend time exploring the city’s spiritual and cultural landmarks.
From Armagh we will transfer you to Newry — a short, scenic drive through drumlin country — where your walking section of the St. Patrick’s Pilgrim Trail begins. The route threads south-east, climbing into the Mourne Mountains: expect sweeping granite ridges, rivers and reservoirs, and panoramic views toward the coast. The terrain ranges from gentle country lanes to upland paths; it’s a walking experience that combines rugged mountain scenery with quiet holy sites, roadside shrines and small villages.
Your pilgrimage finishes in Downpatrick, home to Down Cathedral and the traditional burial site of St. Patrick, where you can reflect on the route’s history and enjoy town cafés and heritage attractions.
Prices / Dates
Price: £835 per person sharing
Single Supplement: +£325
Solo Traveller Supplement: +£120
Tour Dates: 15 March to 31 October
Tour Grade: Moderate
Accommodation: 1 Night Hotel + 5 Night Guesthouse or B&B
Included / Excluded
- 6 nights bed & breakfast
- All accommodation is pre-booked in approved family-run guesthouses with all rooms en-suite.
- St. Patrick's Trail walking map guide and route notes, route notes of the trail.
- GPX Tracks
- Pilgrim's Passport
- Details on restaurants and places of interest to visit along the way.
- Luggage transfers daily while you walk with a small day pack.
- All information on trains or buses needed to get to your first accommodation in Armagh and back at the end of the tour from Downpatrick.
- Full back up service, should you require it, while on our tour.
- Packed Lunches
- Evening Meals
Arrival into Armagh by public transport from Belfast or Dublin Airports
On arrival into Armagh you have the opportunity to explore the cathedral city of Armagh the home of the head of the major churches in Ireland.
Take the short journey out to the Navan Centre and start your Pilgrims Journey walking back to Armagh.
Distance 5 km / 3 miles Assent: 50 m / 160 ft
Approximate walking time: 1.5 / 2 hours
A morning transfer will take you from Armagh to your starting point from Newry City. Soon you will be rewarded with wonderful views of Carlingford Lough and the Cooley & Mourne Mountains on either side. This area on the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland borderlands is steeped in folklore which is told in Rostrevor in both Words & Music. The charming village of Rostrevor on the shores of Carlingford Lough is said to have inspired C.S. Lewis in his writings of the tails of Narnia. St. Bronagh’s a disciple of St. Patrick set up a monastery in the area whose ruins can be seen today and date back to the 6th centenary.
19km 11.8 miles / Ascent 400m / 1312ft
Approximate walking time: 4 / 5 hours
Today your walk will take you into the Mourne Mountains, firstly through Kilbroney Forest then onto open hillside trails to the village of Hilltown. Your overnight accommodation is located in a charming little farming village. With fewer than 1000 people, Hilltown has the impressive eight pubs in the high street, a legacy from 18th-century smugglers who shared out their contraband here.
Distance 14km 9miles Ascent 350m / 1148 ft
Approximate walking time: 4 / 5 hours
Returning to the trail from your accommodation, you will quickly rise into along the River Bann - Northern Ireland’s longest river - whose source is located in the Mourne Mountains - and across the western Mourne Mountain hills of Spelga and Spaltha and enjoy views back into the local countryside and the inner Mourne Mountains. For the second half of the day you will enter Tollymore Forest Park before rising up to the outer reaches of the park into the shadows of Slievenabrock Mountain, you will quickly be rewarded with views of Newcastle and The Irish Sea at Dundrum Bay before meandering along quiet country trails into the seaside town of Newcastle.
Distance 22km 14miles / Ascent 550m 1800 ft
Approximate walking time: 6 / 7 hours
After the last two days in the Mourne Mountains today is a very easy day walking along the beach from Newcastle and through the 6000 year old sand dunes of Murlough Nature Reserve to Dundrum, where you can explore the ruins of the villages 12th Century Norman Castle and its views of inner and outer Dundrum Bay and relax in the evening sampling some of the villages famous seafood cuisine.
12 km 7.5 miles / Ascent 80m 260 ft
Approximate walking time: 3.5 / 4 hours
The final walking day into Downpatrick starts along old disused railway tracks on the shores of inner Dundrum Bay before joining minor roads and country lanes as you make your way to Downpatrick. Be sure to stop of on route and explore the 35m 3000-4000 year old Ballynoe Stone Circle, just off the trail
22 km 14 miles / Ascent 300 m 980 ft
Approximate walking time: 6 / 7 hours
From Downpatrick you will make your onward journey by public transport. But not before collecting your certificate of completion from the Downpatrick Centre.
