Pigeon Rock South

About Pigeon Rock South

Sitting in the Western Mournes, this high shoulder offers a rugged, less-frequented perspective of the range. Often crossed when following the Batts Wall towards the main Pigeon Rock summit, the top provides a clear look across the Spelga Pass to the distinctive, rocky profiles of Hen Mountain and Cock Mountain.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Pigeon Rock is believed to derive from the wild rock doves that historically nested in the crags and gullies found on the steeper eastern slopes of the massif.
• •The hill is defined by the Batts Wall, a 19th-century dry-stone boundary commissioned by the Batts family of Purdysburn to mark their estate, which still serves as a reliable navigational handrail for walkers.
• •From this vantage point, there is an excellent view over the Spelga Dam and the flat, boggy expanse of the Deer's Meadow toward the 'High Mourne' peaks of Slieve Meelmore and Slieve Meelbeg.
• •The summit is a primary spot for viewing the 'Electric Brae' area of the Spelga Pass, where the surrounding topography creates an optical illusion that makes the road appear to run uphill.
• •If the mist rolls in—as it frequently does in County Down—the Batts Wall becomes a walker's best friend, though the stone itself remains famously indifferent to your progress.