Secret waterfall found nestled in the Mourne Mountains
This place looks like something out of Jurassic Park ⛰
When you can't go travelling overseas, thanks covid, but you still have the urge to explore, there's no better spot than the Mourne mountains. And one guy, who is just as obsessed with adventure as our very own Paulo, is Kevin Penrose - you might recognise him as NI's latest TikTok/YouTube star @wildirishwanderer!
Kevin has had a thirst for travel since a young age, having spent his summers working in various camps in America. When lockdown struck last year, Kevin's appetite for adventure continued to yearn. "Lockdown has given me a lot of time to really develop my skills in photography and videography. Now I am able to capture Ireland through my eyes and show it to the world and hopefully inspire your next adventure."
Last summer, Kevin stumbled across the most spectacular waterfall, found deep in the Mournes. "Myself and my friend Marius decided to hike and camp out in the mountains, this was our first time in the area so we weren't too sure about what to expect. We spent about an hour at it before making our way down to the rock pools below as we were short on time, so it gave me an excuse to come back another time and that's when I got the footage of it. "
Where can you find the secret waterfall?
"We literally stumbled across this epic drop, whilst treking down towards Ben Crom Reservoir from Hare's Gap. We were amazed at how it could be located in the middle of the Mourne Mountains. "
Kevin has a strong passion for photography and videography, he shoots and edits all of his content himself. "Every drone video or photo I would take myself, unless it's a shot that I can't hold the remote in. The footage for the hidden waterfall was a little awkward, I had to climb down into it first, whilst positioning the drone and trying to avoid any crashes. I wasn't sure how I would capture it to really show that it is was deep in the mountains, but I feel the end result turned out great."
Helpful hiking hints for beginners
As the weather starts to pick up in spring, a long walk in the Mourne mountains might feel like a great way to spend an afternoon. But if you've never hiked before, there's a lot you might not know. Here Kevin shares some handy tips for those keen to start exploring our local landscapes.
“Starting out I would say try something easy, don't jump straight in the deep end and climb Slieve Donard for example as it will take the enjoyment out of it all. Also check on what the weather is like on the day."
"There’s been a lot of mountain rescue calls to the Mournes over the last few months. Which may have been down to lack of experience, so I'd highly advise to take great care up there. Visibility can be limited, and you can get disorientated easily - try not to put you or others in danger if you know the weather isn't going to be good. When you get to that mountain top though after the hard work, make sure you sit back and enjoy the views.”
Kevin's Top 5 favourite hikes/treks across Northern Ireland
Giants Causeway Coastal Walk
This route, from Portstewart to Ballycastle, passes through the Causeway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a World Heritage Site and several Areas of Special Scientific Interest.
Binevenagh Mountain
Once you reach the summit of Binevenagh enjoy panoramic views over Lough Foyle, the Roe Valley, Inishowen and on a good day, the west coast of Scotland.
Kinbane Castle
Just a two minute drive from the iconic Carrick-a-rede Rope Bridge, this isolated spot is a must-visit if you're visiting the Causeway coast.
Slieve Binnian
The third highest mountain in the Mournes at 747 metres sits Slieve Binnian. Underneath the mountain is a tunnel connecting Annalong Valley with Silent Valley.
Slieve Bearnagh from Hare's Gap direction.
Slieve Bearnagh is one of the most distinctive mountains in the Mournes and is renowned for the granite tors on its summit.
Slieve Meelmore (704m) is also included in this walk, creating a circuit with superb views on a good day stretching as far as the Sperrins, Lough Neagh and Strangford Lough.
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