The climb actually starts a little further west in Newry. But the route from there on a narrow road is relatively busy with heavy goods traffic. Only from Mayobridge onwards does the road become much quieter, and after Hilltown it gets downright lonely.

Slight ups and downs for the first ten kilometres, then it's all uphill.

Start in the centre of Mayobridge.

After a short stretch, it becomes very scenic with a view of the Mourne Mountains in the background.

After Hilltown, we don't continue on the intended route. But years of experience show that you should still try it by bike.

And indeed, you pass the roadworks and stay on the road towards Kilkeel.

Wonderful route with little traffic

Sheep beside the track enjoy the good weather

View back

And then, after a relatively short ride, you reach the Spelga Reservoir. Here, too, we are pretty lonely.

But there's more: if you turn off to the north after the artificial reservoir, you reach a slightly higher pass.

In the background, the deep blue of the Spelga reservoir

The highest point at this pasture gate is just over 400 metres.