Donard Park is where the Glen River meets the sea at the foot of Slieve Donard — the main starting point for walks into the Mourne Mountains, said to be one of the most-walked routes in Northern Ireland.
What you'll do: Follow the Glen River through the woods, run about on the wide grass, and step straight onto Newcastle beach and promenade next door.
How long: An hour or two for the park and river; a full day worth making the time for if you add the beach and the town.
Cost & parking: The park is free to walk in. There's a large car park run by the council — check current charges before you travel, as some council parks are pay-and-display.
Come ready: The lower park and riverside are easy going. For the mountain, boots, warm layers and water.
When: Any day. Sunny days give you the mountains and sea and an ice cream on the prom; rain sends the Glen River down in full voice through the trees.
The catch: the walk up Slieve Donard from here is a proper mountain climb, not a family stroll — steep, exposed and weather that turns fast. The family option is the lower river, woods and beach.
Plan your visit
Two very different days out from one car park
The family option. From the car park you're straight onto wide grass with room for a ball, a picnic and a run about. Follow the Glen River up into the old woodland and it tumbles over rocks and small falls beside the path — the easy, lower part of the walk is lovely with children and turns back whenever little legs have had enough. The park sits right at the south end of Newcastle promenade, so you can walk out of the trees and be on the beach in minutes.
The mountain option. This same car park is the main gateway for the climb up Slieve Donard, the highest of the Mourne Mountains at 850m. It's a serious hike — WalkNI grades the Glen River route "very strenuous", it's a long climb up and back, and the weather on the top can change fast. It's a wonderful day for prepared walkers with boots, warm layers and water. It is not a casual stroll, so if you're here with young children, stick to the river, the woods and the beach.
Free to walk inGlen River pathGateway to the MournesBeach next doorWoodland walksLarge car park
Before you set off up the mountain:
Slieve Donard is a real hike with exposed, changeable weather near the top. Only head up with proper boots, warm layers, water and enough daylight, and turn back if the cloud comes in. If in doubt, keep to the lower river and woodland — it's a beautiful walk in its own right.
Before you set off
What to wear & bring
🥾Sturdy bootsThe riverside is fine in trainers; the hill wants proper boots with grip.
🧥Warm layersThe higher you go, the cooler and windier — a spare layer covers it.
💧Water & snacksKeeps everyone going on the climb, or on the grass by the river.
🧢A hatWarm one for the tops, sun one for the beach — the weather can give you both.
What's on
Around the park
The park itself is a free open space you can visit any day — there's no ticketed event needed to enjoy the river, the woods and the grass. Because it's the gateway to Slieve Donard and sits at the edge of town, it's busy on sunny weekends and bank holidays with walkers heading up and families spilling onto the beach. Newcastle's promenade, shops and cafés are a short walk along the front, and the town hosts seasonal events through the year. Check what's on in Newcastle before you travel if you want to make more of the day.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Free to walk into the park
Opening
Open-access parkland — come and go daily
Parking
Large council car park on site (over 300 spaces, plus accessible bays, EV bays and coach parking). Check current charges before you travel, as some council parks are pay-and-display
Toilets
Public toilets on site, including an accessible toilet
What's there
Glen River and riverside paths, old woodland, wide grass and picnic areas, playing pitches, and the start of the Slieve Donard mountain path
Best for ages
All ages for the lower park, river and beach; the mountain walk is for prepared older walkers
Dogs
A popular spot for dog walkers — keep dogs under control near the river, livestock and other visitors
Accessibility
Lower park paths are buggy-friendly; the Glen River path gets rougher and steeper the higher it goes, and the mountain is not buggy or wheelchair accessible
How long to allow
An hour or two for the park and river; a full day if you add the beach, the town or the mountain
Where
South end of Newcastle promenade, Co. Down
Questions
Before you go
Can we walk up Slieve Donard from here?
Yes — Donard Park is the main starting point for the climb up Slieve Donard via the Glen River. Be honest with yourself about it though: it's the highest of the Mourne Mountains at 850m, WalkNI grades the route "very strenuous", and it's a long climb up and back with exposed, fast-changing weather near the top. It's a great day for prepared walkers with boots, warm layers, water and plenty of daylight. It is not a family stroll — with young children, follow the lower river and woods instead and turn back whenever you like.
Is it free? Do I have to pay to park?
The park is free to walk into. There's a large car park run by the council on site. Some of the council's parks are pay-and-display, so check the current charges for Donard Park before you travel.
Is it good for young children?
The lower park is lovely with little ones — wide grass to run on, the Glen River to follow through the trees, and the beach and promenade a short walk away. Just keep the mountain path for older, prepared walkers.
Are there toilets?
Yes, there are public toilets on site, including an accessible toilet.
Can we bring the dog?
It's a popular spot for dog walkers. Keep dogs under control near the river, any livestock and other visitors.
Is there a beach nearby?
Yes — the park sits right at the south end of Newcastle's beach and promenade, so you can step out of the woods and onto the sand in minutes.
Getting there
Donard Park is at the south end of Newcastle promenade, Co. Down, with a large car park at the foot of the Glen River path. Tap below for turn-by-turn directions, or check the council page for the latest on parking and facilities.
Newcastle sits in the one place where, as the old line goes, the Mourne Mountains sweep down to the sea. Slieve Donard, the highest of them, rises straight up behind the town, and Donard Park is the green apron at its foot — the point where the Glen River, having fallen the whole way down the mountain, finally runs out across the beach into Dundrum Bay.
The park is run by the local council and kept as open parkland: wide grass, mature trees, picnic spots and paths that follow the river up into old woodland. Walk far enough and the tarmac gives way to a stone-and-earth path climbing beside the water, past small falls and pools, into the forest and on towards the tops. For most families that lower stretch — river on one side, trees all around — is the whole day, and a good one.
It's also the front door to the mountains. For generations this car park has been where walkers gather to head up Slieve Donard, said to be one of the most-walked routes in Northern Ireland. The summit is a serious climb and a serious reward — but you don't have to go up to feel the pull of it. Stand on the grass with the mountain above you and the sea in front, and the day makes its own case. Get out and live.
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