The firing has ceased - so start walking

Slieve Gullion is one of Ireland's most revered little mountains. Its heathery, whaleback form dominates South Armagh and the scenic "Ring of Gullion" is replete with myths, legends, history and heritage. The oldest Irish epic tale - Tain Bo Cuailgne - tells of events that took place in this area two thousand years ago, and tokens of Irish history are found everywhere.

Army observation towers keep a watch on all comings and goings, but recently a concerted effort has given the area a tourist identity and there are many facilities for visitors. Scattered across the countryside are the Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre, Cardinal O'Flach Centre, Mullaghbane Folk Museum and Hearty's Farm Cottage,

The walk over Slieve Gullion begins with a road-walk, which can be minimised with the aid of a spare car. The heathery crest is traversed from north to south, with a descent along the Slieve Gullion Forest Drive. Anyone pressed for time can motor up the forest drive and make a short, steep climb to the summit. For those who like convivial company, the Wee Binnian Walking Festival includes the route on 12 September, starting at 2.00pm.

Slieve Gullion Forest Park is signposted around Newry and South Armagh. There is a large car park at the Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre. A converted courtyard building includes an exhibition area, craft workshops, restaurant, accommodation and facilities for school groups. A forest drive runs around the slopes of Slieve Gullion.

Leave by following the road marked "Exit" and turn left at a crossroads. Follow the road to Clonlum, where a chambered burial cairn is just to the right of the road. Walk through another crossroads and look uphill to spot the whitewashed St Bline's Well on the flank of Slieve Gullion.

Killevy Church is also to the left, where two old churches, built centuries apart, were joined as one. Keep left and follow a road uphill. Views open up across fields surrounded by rugged little hills, marred only by the presence of Army observation towers. The road forks again, so keep left to climb more steeply. The road emerges from the forest at a small car park, where a car could be parked if a shorter walk is required. Walk along a more level stretch to the highest part of the road at Ballard, and leave the road by going through a gate on the left.

A clear track leads across a field to another gate. Beyond this gate, the track proceeds as a grassy ribbon up a heathery slope. Metal arrows point the way ahead. The grassy track expires in deep heather and it is necessary to proceed without the benefit of a clear path. Pass a couple of low rocky outcrops and note that the view northwards expands all the time. A burial cairn known as the North Carn is reached, where a break can be taken to enjoy the view.

A clear path runs along the crest of Slieve Gullion, passing the small pool called the Calliagh Berras Lough. The warrior Fionn MacCumhail was lured into the pool, emerging as a wizened, white-haired old man. His friends dug into the cairn on Slieve Gullion to find the "Calliagh Berras", the witch who caused the enchantment. She restored Fionn, but his former head of red hair remained white. The huge burial cairn on Slieve Gullion is known as the South Carn, and it bears a trig point and view indicator at 573m (1,894ft).

The distant view is remarkably extensive, but the arrangement of the rugged little hills of the Ring of Gullion is more intriguing. On a clear day you should be able to spot, in a clockwise direction from the north: Lough Neagh, Camlough Mountain, Slieve Croob, Mountains of Mourne, Cooley Hills, Hill of Howth, Dublin, Wicklow Mountains, Croslieve, Slieve Bloom, Cuilcagh, Slieve Beagh, Sperrin Mountains and Slieve Gallion.

The "Ring of Gullion" is a peculiar geological formation, where a circular section of the earth's crust, measuring some seven miles (11 kilometres) across, foundered and sank. All around this fracture, molten rock filled the space. Slieve Gullion's granite dome is now at the centre of a rugged "ring dyke" which has resisted erosion and appears like a circular, stockade- like range of tiny mountains.

Walk downhill from the burial chamber entrance to descend from the summit. There is a very clear path, passing a shelter and continuing down to a fence. Turn left and cross the fence using a step-stile. Walk down into a forest, passing another shelter, then turn left along the tarmac road of the Slieve Gullion Forest Drive.

The forest drive is a one-way road, so traffic should be coming uphill. The road turns round the southern side of Slieve Gullion and descends through a clear-felled area. Look to the right to spot another road running parallel just below. A very short path drops down to the lower road, which itself runs downhill and swings left to return to the Courtyard Centre. Take a break for a cup of tea!

Distance: 13 kilometres (eight miles), but by avoiding the initial road walk it can be reduced to 8 kilometres (five miles). Map: OS Discovery Sheet 29. Total Ascent 475m (1,560ft). Terrain: Roads, a cleat track, heathery paths and a forest drive.

Contacts: Tourist Information Office, Newry, (01693) 68877. Slieve Gullion Courtyard Centre, (01693) 848084. Wee Binnian Walking Festival, 12-14 September, (01693) 67556, 861759 or 250017.