Slieve Croob or in Irish, Sliabh Crúb - the mountain of the hoof - rises to a height of 534 metres (1755) feet and is the source of the River Lagan. Locally the mountain is known as 'The Twelve Cairns'. This popular walk begins at the car park at the Dree Hill Road, a few miles from Dromara. Though the beauty of the mountain is marred by the transmitter masts and compounds near the summit the walk, on a clear day, offers lovely views over the surrounding countryside and further afield.

It is said "... on a clear day you could see with the naked eye Lough Neagh, Belfast Lough, Carlingford Lough, Scarbo Tower, the full range of the Mourne Mountains, the coastline from Warrenpoint to County Antrim, and if you knew where to look you could pick out Armagh Cathedral."

The walk follows a well surfaced road which winds its way through open moorland to the summit of the mountain and gives a straightforward linear walk.

Slieve Croob is the highest peak in the Dromara hills, a range of mountains forming the foothills of the high Mournes. These hills are, however, much older than their southern cousins, the geology of the area being some 400 million years old. Near the summit the River Lagan rises as a tiny stream and begins its journey to the sea at Belfast.

To north - on B7 approaching Finnis/Massford from south - shop and garage. Hamlet of Finnis - pub (limited opening).
To sw of B7: Turley's bar and restaurant and shop at Dechomet/Lowtown on the B7 Rathfriland to Dromara Road (limited opening).
Shops and pubs at Leitrim and Dromara and convenience store at Moneyslane

This information has been provided by WalkNI. com