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charity · Sunday 13 September 2026 · 9:00am 
Hike the Mournes for the Lighthouse Charity
At Donard Car Park · 5 Donard Park, Newcastle, Co. Down, BT33 0HL
At Donard Car Park · 5 Donard Park, Newcastle, Co. Down, BT33 0HL
Hike the Mournes for the Lighthouse Charity is a guided five-hour hike through the Mourne Mountains, setting off from Donard Car Park in Newcastle on Sunday, 13 September 2026 at 9am. The event is organised by Northstone Materials Limited in support of Lighthouse Charity, which provides emotional, physical and financial wellbeing support to people working in the construction industry and their families. Places are capped at 40 hikers, with a medical declaration required from everyone taking part.
The hike is fully guided rather than a self-navigated route, running for around five hours from 9am to an expected finish around 2pm. Steven Oldham, sales and marketing director at Northstone Materials and a committee member of Lighthouse Charity, is one of the organisers behind the day. Everyone who registers receives a free goodie bag, and the organisers stress that the route is challenging: proper hiking boots, layered clothing and enough food and water for a full day on the hill are expected, along with a completed medical declaration form submitted in advance. The Mournes rise straight up from Donard Park, so the climb starts almost immediately from the car park rather than after a long approach walk. This is one of Lighthouse Charity’s fundraising events for the year, run with the backing of Northstone Materials as the corporate sponsor. Booking is through Eventbrite, with no refunds once a place is confirmed.
Donard Car Park is at the southern end of Newcastle promenade, close to the town centre, where Donard Wood and the Glen River mark the main walking route onto Slieve Donard. Newcastle is on the A2 coast road, with regular bus services from Belfast, and the car park has pay and display parking for hikers and beach visitors alike.
Newcastle sits where the Mourne Mountains sweep down to meet the sea, with Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Northern Ireland, rising straight up behind the promenade and the car park where the hike begins. There is more to see in Newcastle and across Co. Down.
Heading to Donard Car Park in Newcastle? Down has plenty more to see. Read the Newcastle area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.