How to Visit the Beautiful Silent Valley Reservoir, Northern Ireland

Located in the heart of the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Silent Valley Mountain Park is the perfect combination of sweeping mountain scenery and awe inspiring feats of engineering.

The mountain park includes the Silent Valley and Ben Crom reservoirs, several walking routes and some fascinating history around the community that used to call this valley home.

Silent Valley is one of Northern Irelands most beautiful and most accessible walking destinations. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your own visit.

The History of Silent Valley & The Reservoirs

Once upon a time, the city of Belfast was supplied with water from the Belfast Hills that surround the city. This offered adequate supply until the days of the Industrial Revolution.

Belfast was thriving and a growing population alongside booming linen, ship building and engineering industries led to the Corporation of Belfast identifying the need for, ” a plentiful supply of good water”. To secure this, they went ahead and bought 9000 of land in the High Mourne mountains and in 1923, began an ambitious scheme of work.

Dams were built, reservoirs created, tunnels set into mountains to funnel water.

As a finishing touch the whole area was enclosed by the Mourne Wall, a 1.5m high dry stone wall made of granite stones.

Designed to stop cattle and sheep contaminating the water supply, the wall covers 15 of the highest peaks in the Mournes. Built for a purpose, the wall is now the basis of the Mourne Wall Challenge; a challenging route taking in 7 of the 10 highest mountains in the Mournes and Northern Ireland.

Work completed, Belfast had- and still has to this day- a plentiful supply of good water.

Walking at Silent Valley, Northern Ireland

Once in the Northern Ireland Water managed park, the only way to explore is on foot. There are several suggested walking trails, each one with beautiful views and points of interest along the way.

Routes range from 2-10km, from the fully accessible to rough terrain walks featuring steeper gradients. All routes are well signed and you’ll be given a map with details when you enter the park.

The Ben Crom Dam Walk

We decided to walk the Ben Crom Dam Route. The well marked linear 10km route follows a tarmac road from the car park along the side of the Silent Valley Reservoir.

Near the start of the walk you pass the Silent Valley Dam. The man-made dam with overflow ( a giant plug hole, basically!) and Valve Tower stand in contrast to the surrounding mountain peaks.

A short distance along the road from the Silent Valley Dam, you’ll come to the Binnian Tunnel; a tunnel cut into the Slieve Binnian mountain in the 1940’s to carry water from the Annalong River into the valley reservoirs

It’s an incredible bit of engineering, but with the gated entrance set into the bottom of a rocky water fall, it looks like the stuff of fairy tales. If a Mourne mountain troll doesn’t live in there, I’m disappointed.

Following the road a little further, the Ben Crom Dam soon comes into sight. Huge, imposing and impressive with water cascading down the sides. There are 260 steps up to the top of the dam to get the valley views, but they are worth it.

Click the video above for a sense of the power of the water and the gorgeous views.

The Watertown House

The construction of Silent Valley, the dams and the Mourne Wall meant an influx of workers to the area. As well as industrial infrastructure like a railway, they needed a place to live. A pioneer style, planned town was created: Watertown.

Watertown offered a permanent home to a 700 strong community. Facilities included shops, a community hall and a small hospital. Workers accompanied by families being able to be allocated small homes.

One such home- Watertown House- has been preserved and presented as it would have been at the time. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the past.

When the Silent Valley project was completed in the 1930’s, the town was dismantled and the houses auctioned off. Many were purchased by local people and were once a common sight in the local area.

The house on show today was purchased in the 1940’s by Thomas and Mary Cunningham who raised three children in the three room home. Mary lived in the house until 2006.

How to get to the Silent Valley Reservoir

Realistically, you’ll need a car to get to Silent Valley. This is not a public transport friendly destination.

Access is via the main gates located at Head Road, Kilkeel, County Down, BT34 4HU

Silent Valley Ticket Price

Admission to the Silent Valley Mountain Park costs £5 per car. Payment by cash or card. You’ll be given a leaflet with a map & some background on the park as you enter.

Once in the Silent Valley Park there is small cafe, visitor centre and toilets.

How Long Should You Spend at Silent Valley?

Try and make a day of it, this place is too beautiful to be a rushed experience! As a minimum, I’d allow at least 2-3 hours to stretch your legs and enjoy the beautiful views.

Is Silent Valley a Dog Friendly Destination?

Yes, very! We took the Little Wolf and his best friend along for the day and they had a great time. It is requested that dogs are kept on leads.

Be aware though that there is very little shade and very few places where dogs can access the water.

I hope I have inspired you to consider adding a trip to Silent Valley to your Northern Ireland travel plans. If you’d like to see some equally dramatic but very different Northern Ireland scenery, check out this post next: Orlock Point Coastal Walk, Northern Ireland.

Helen x