Granite Peaks Races
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Granite Peaks Ultra 55k : Tollymore Forest Park, County Down
The Granite Peaks Ultra is a mountain ultramarathon of 55 km with 3,159 m of ascent, held on Saturday 29 August 2026 in County Down. The event is graded as Difficulty 10 (Extreme) and is part of the Irish Ultra Championships. Only major junctions are marked and GPS use is allowed. The race is for senior competitors only. Race registration, prizegiving and race headquarters are at Tollymore Forest main car park. Entry is through the NIMRA 'sientries' booking platform.
Mandatory Level C kit must be carried. Required items include a waterproof jacket with integrated hood and taped seams, hat or buff, gloves, whistle, charged mobile phone with an emergency number stored, foil blanket or bivvy bag, waterproof full leg cover, means to carry a minimum of 500 mL water, emergency food, a map of the route/area and a compass. The final kit to be carried may be adjusted on the day depending on conditions and will be advised at registration. Failure to carry required items may lead to denied entry or disqualification; random checks may be carried out.
The route starts and finishes at Tollymore Forest Park below the main car park. It passes the Kings Grave, Trassey Track and Happy Valley, crosses the Mourne Wall between Meelmore and Meelbeg, follows the wall to Silent Valley dam, climbs beside Silent Valley and Ben Crom Reservoirs to Slieve Binnian, then follows the Mourne Wall down to Annalong Wood. Runners go past the Blue Lough, summit Slievelamaghan, traverse Cove Mountain and Slieve Beg to The Brandy Pad, proceed above the Annalong buttresses toward Hares Castle, reach the foot of Rocky and the Bog of Donard, then ascend Slieve Donard and traverse Commedagh, Slieve Corragh and Slievenaglogh. The final section climbs toward Slieve Bearnagh and the tower on Slieve Meelmore before descending to the Trassey Track and returning into Tollymore Forest to the finish below the main car park. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
