Silent Valley and Ben Crom Reservoirs
Silent Valley and Ben Crom Reservoirs
Silent Valley and Ben Crom Reservoirs
4.6
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
8 within 5 kms
Attractions
17 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.6
381 reviews
Excellent
254
Very good
114
Average
8
Poor
4
Terrible
1
Karenann Hurst
Ballycastle, UK206 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
I've known for so long how much I have wanted to visit Silent Valley but we live so far away it's been a dream until this weekend when I finally got my chance to visit an it did not disappoint. The views are to die for we walked for hrs an never once said we where fed up an wanted to turn back we did 9k in total the weather was up an down the rumbles of thunder made for the experience. We stopped at the lily pond and fed the ducks, went to the cafe for soup an toasties before setting off our adventure I really wish we had more time to spend exploring the sights and sounds but alas Time was not on our side as the weather closed in we headed back to the car for cover. The walk is for the most part flat few steps but they're manageable. The views really have to be seen to be appreciated. I can't wait to be able to visit again
Written 26 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jayne F
Newport, UK82 contributions
Jan 2023
Lovely part of NI with mountainous views.
You pay to go in & park in a large parking area. There are quite a few different level hikes around the grounds & reservoir to suit all.
You are given a map with the different level hikes colour coded & stones with the corresponding coloured arrows for you to follow. I'm not the best map reader but I did find them a little confusing & diverted off my walk & had to retrace my steps.
There wasn't many people about to ask if they knew the way back but luckily a local took pity & helped me!
Lots of picnic benches dotted around, some interesting historic dwellings, a large dam to walk across and a lovely small cafe for a well deserved hot chocolate!
You pay to go in & park in a large parking area. There are quite a few different level hikes around the grounds & reservoir to suit all.
You are given a map with the different level hikes colour coded & stones with the corresponding coloured arrows for you to follow. I'm not the best map reader but I did find them a little confusing & diverted off my walk & had to retrace my steps.
There wasn't many people about to ask if they knew the way back but luckily a local took pity & helped me!
Lots of picnic benches dotted around, some interesting historic dwellings, a large dam to walk across and a lovely small cafe for a well deserved hot chocolate!
Written 20 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Igorotinni Igorotinni
Belfast, UK186 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
The reservoir itself is located at the mourne mountains which makes the overall scenery of the place an outstanding beauty. We climbed the Moolieve mountain so we were able to see the reservoir from the top. There are different walking routes which you could follow and there is a map for it on the reservoir. We didn’t follow any routes when we visited and just made our own. They have toilet facilities, picnic areas, cafe and play area. They have car park which can fit 63 cars and its first come-first serve basis.
To see video of our travel, click the link on the website section of my account/page.
To see video of our travel, click the link on the website section of my account/page.
Written 29 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duncan C
Oxford, UK128 contributions
Feb 2020
This 3 mile walk (6 miles round trip) is excellent especially when conditions underfoot are wet as it is along a surfaced road all the way from Silent Valley Reservoir to Ben Crom. It is also worth the climb up the steps at the Ben From end for the view across the reservoir. It was so windy when we visited as Storm Ciara was just starting up. One of my favourite places in the Mournes.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R. Allen
Sligo, Ireland37 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
This is my favourite place in this Country. 50+years ago you could drive right up to Ben Crom dam which is far more spectacular than the lower dam, especially if overflow is being released. However, in recent years driving up to the dam has been banned. There used to be a shuttle bus during the summer but now no driving and no bus, and it is a 6km return walk; not the easiest for a 70 year old with two replaced hips.
Please, please bring back the bus.
Please, please bring back the bus.
Written 25 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annstreks
Antrim, UK997 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
I had a visitor from England who had never been to the Mournes so what better a way to show off this stunning mountain range than Silent Valley Reservoir. We parked outside the boundary and walked up to the cafe for coffee and scones, the coffee being particularly good. The scenery on a clear sunny day is simply breathtaking and great to see so many people/families out walking. My friend was so impressed with the area that we are staying in the locality next month with a view to climbing Donard or Binnian or maybe both!!
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HELEN G
Chelmsford, UK25 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We were not sure what to expect here, paid at the gate and drove a long drive to a plentiful parking area. Then we walked. Pleasant grounds with wooded areas and stream, higher wooded areas with good paths, and a large dam. Information boards along the way explaing the roles of the people who had worked there and why. We walked a little of the dam but were going into the mountains the next day but you could walk from here. It was a really quiet peaceful place and had a lovely calming inflouence
Very nice little cafe serving a very good lemon meringue pie.
Very nice little cafe serving a very good lemon meringue pie.
Written 26 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamela K
Newtownards, UK36 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Walked from Silent Valley reservoir up to Ben Crom reservoir and climbed the 270 steps up to the top. Stunning views to be had. Even though it was raining when we started out, it didn't dampen our spirits. Misti enjoyed it immensely ❤️
Written 8 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Destination84931
3 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
Arrived on a sunny Saturday, the view ofthe reservoir was absolutely amazing .Walk a mere three miles and up 270 steps to Ben crom dam.one wishes a drone would capture the true essence of the beauty of the scenery.
Stop of on your way back for a cup of coffee in the victorian tea room.
Stop of on your way back for a cup of coffee in the victorian tea room.
Written 27 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve G
Bromley, UK7 contributions
Feb 2020
I arrived at Silent Valley on a drizzly day, but was immediately taken by the huge amount of walks there were for all abilities. I loved the three mile walk to the Ben Crom reservoir and the steps up to the top. So peaceful despite the huge amount of water right beside me. The hidden gem was the tea room. A scintillating welcome from this family friendly business. Superb coffee made with care and attention. Spent a brilliant day at the park and will be back.
Written 21 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mandy N
Aldergrove, United Kingdom
Can u ride a bike along the path at silent valley
Written 10 October 2020
Yes I think so I seen people with bikes.
Written 10 October 2020
Hi is this walk suitable for a pram
Written 23 August 2020
Yes there was plenty of people with prams.
Written 24 August 2020
Hi,
we don't have car and want to visit this place from Belfast. what options will be available?
Written 28 April 2017
A Tripadvisor member
Toome, United Kingdom
During the summer months, Translink, operate the Mournes Rambler Bus service.
You would most likely need to take a scheduled bus to Newcastle or killkeel, and go from there.
Contact Translink. they have a PDF timetable of times etc
Written 29 April 2017
Can I take my dog walking in the silent valley?
Written 22 May 2016
Hi! I don't recall any bikes on the trails around Silent valley but I don't see any problem. Better check though. Try Northern Ireland water service in Government Northern Ireland web site
Written 24 May 2016
Showing results 1-5 of 5
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing