Slieve Binnian

This distinctive Mourne peak is defined by its dramatic granite tors and the Mourne Wall, which crests the summit. The broad plateau between the North and South Tors offers rugged terrain and spectacular views over the Silent Valley Reservoir and across to the neighbouring heights of Slieve Lamagan and Slieve Donard.

• •The name derives from the Irish 'Sliabh Binneáin', meaning 'mountain of the little peaks'. This refers to the spectacular granite tors that crown its summit ridge, giving the mountain its jagged and highly recognisable silhouette.
• •The Mourne Wall, a 22-mile stone boundary built between 1904 and 1922 to protect the water catchment area, passes directly over the summit. It serves as a reliable navigation aid for walkers in poor visibility as it traverses the ridge between the massive granite towers.
• •From the summit ridge, the view looks directly down into the blue waters of the Silent Valley and Ben Crom reservoirs to the west, while to the north, the 'Great Gully' of Slieve Lamagan and the massive bulk of Slieve Donard dominate the skyline.
• •The ridge between the North and South Tors is home to the Back Castles, a series of weathered granite towers. Unlike many Mourne peaks which are rounded domes, Binnian’s broken topography gives it a more alpine character that requires occasional light scrambling to reach the highest points of the tors.
• •The true summit is the top of the South Tor; however, many walkers consider the final few feet of vertical granite an optional extra, contenting themselves with touching the rock face and calling it a day.