Granite Peaks Races

Granite Peaks 28k (NIMRA League)

The Granite Peaks 25 / 28 km is a mountain running event organised by the Northern Ireland Mountain Running Association (NIMRA) on Saturday 29 August 2026 in County Down. The race distance is 28.24 km with 1328 m of climb. The event is rated as Extreme (Level 10). Course marking is limited to only major junctions and GPS devices are allowed.

The route starts just below the main car park at Tollymore Forest Park, Bryansford. It follows tracks past the Kings Grave onto Trassey Track, then via upper stiles towards Happy Valley and up to the Mourne Wall at the col between Meelmore and Meelbeg. The course proceeds anti-clockwise along the wall to the stile at the col between Slieve Loughshannagh and Carn Mountain, drops between Loughshannagh and Doan to the top of Ben Crom Dam, crosses the dam, and climbs towards the Slieve Binnian / Slievelamaghan col. Runners then head to Slievelamaghan summit, follow The Brandy Pad skirting Cove Mountain, summit Slieve Beg, continue to Hare’s Gap and descend back along Trassey Track into Tollymore Forest, finishing just below the main car park.

Mandatory kit is Level C and includes a waterproof jacket with hood and taped seams, hat or buff, gloves, whistle, charged mobile phone, foil blanket or bivvy, waterproof full leg cover, means to carry at least 500 mL water, emergency food, map and compass. The exact kit to carry on race day will be advised at registration. Entry is through the NIMRA website SI entries booking platform. The event is for seniors only. Prizegiving is at Tollymore Forest Park, Bryansford. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.