NORTHERN IRELAND
WALKS
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The information given here is not all encompassing but it
is as up to date as possible. Please check prices. See also PARKS |
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| The Ulster Way is one of Europe's long distance footpaths, running some 560 miles around the province and crosses mountains, forest parks and the coastline. Most now waymarked. The revised Ulster Way was officially launched on 16th September 2009. The main areas are | |
| Belfast & Cavehill | Carnlough to Waterford |
| Lagan Valley Towpath | Fairhead & Murlough Bay |
| Mourne Mountains | Causeway Coast |
| Tollymore Forest Park | Binevenagh & Magilligan |
| Saul & Slieve Patrick | Gorten Glen |
| Rostrevor Forest | Florencecourt |
| Shane's Hill to Glenarm | Lough Navar Forest |
| WEBSITE | |
 WAYMARKED WAYSEach Waymarked route has its own specific map guidebook, available from the nearest Tourist Information Centre or the Countryside Access and Activities Network for N. Ireland (028) 9038 3848. Use with Ordnance Survey Discoverer Series maps (1:50,000) - OSDS. AONB - Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty |
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MOYLE WAY Starting at Ballycastle and ending at Glenariff Forest Park, 20 miles away. It is within the Antrim Coast and Glens AONB. OSDS sheets 5 and 9. NEWRY CANAL WAY Starting at Portadown and finishing at Newry, 20 miles away. This follows the towpath of the now disused Newry Canal, passing 13 lock gates. The surface has been largely upgraded and is also used by cyclists. Car access restrictions allow cycles and standard wheelchairs to pass. OSDS sheets 20 and 29. RING OF GULLION WAY Starting at Newry and finishing at Derrymore House, Bessbrook, 33 miles away. This follows the geological formation called a ring-dyke through the Ring of Gullion AONB. OSDS sheet 29. SLIABH BEAGH WAY Starting at St. Patrick's Chair and Well, Clogher and finishing at Donagh, 30 miles away. OSDS sheets 18, 19 and 27. CAUSEWAY COAST WAY Starting at Portstewart and ending at Ballycastle, 33 miles away. It is within the Glens AONB. OSDS sheets 4 and 5. CARLETON TRAIL Starting at Clogher Rural Centre and ending at Clogher Rural Centre, 30 miles. A circular route, named after 19th century poet and author, William Carleton. OSDS sheets 18 and 19. CENTRAL SPERRINS WAY Starting at Barnes, near Plumbridge village and ending at Barnes, 25 miles away It is within the Sperrins AONB. OSDS sheet 13. LECALE WAY Starting at Raholp and ending at Newcastle, 40 miles away. Following the footsteps of St. Patrick, it is within the Lecale AONB. OSDS sheets 21 and 29. NATURE WALKS ARDRESS Annaghmore near Portadown. ladies Mile woodland walk around the Ardress estate (wildlife of area). BALLYCONAGAN Rathlin Island. Well marked paths through heath and grassland with views of the Scottish islands. BALLYHORNAN County Down. Runs along the coast from Ballyhornan to Ardtole, near Ardglass. BALLYLOUGH Castlewellan. From Ballylough Road, Annsborough village. BALLYMACORMICK & ORLOCK POINT Groomsport. Rough coastal paths with views of the Copelands and Scotland. BALLYMOYER Near Newtownhamilton. A way-marked woodland walk. BURRENREAGH Castlewellan. From Lower Square, Castlewellan. COLLIN WOOD Lower Glen Road, Belfast. Footpaths through a wooded gorge. CUSHENDUN Cushendun village. Local paths round the village, beach and woodland. DOWNHILL (Glen Walk) Near Castlerock, Londonderry. A one mile walk (natural history & geological interest). GIANT'S CAUSEWAY Near Portrush, Co. Antrim. Three mile walk (unique basalt rock formations). GLASTRY EDUCATIONAL NATURE RESERVE Near Ballyhalbert, Co. Down. Walks around freshwater ponds created from worked out clay pits. GLENOE Glenoe village, Larne. A waterfall hidden in the village. KEARNEY & KNOCKINELDER BAY Portaferry. Shore and beach walks. KILCLIEF/GLEBE Starting opposite Kilclief Castle LISNABREENY Lisnabreeny Road, Belfast. Long winding path up the Cregagh Glen through woodlands. Waterfall and splendid view of Belfast. MURLOUGH BAY & FAIR HEAD Ballycastle. Fantastic view from high cliffs overlooking the Irish Sea. Very windy at times and care needed. MURLOUGH NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE Between Dundrum and Newcastle, Co. Down. Sand dunes & Heathland (botanical interest). Information centre with displays and guided walks. NESS WOODS On the main Derry - Belfast Rd. Co. Londonderry. Scenic walks & nature trails plus N. Ireland's highest waterfall. NORTH ANTRIM COASTAL PATH A 14 mile walk taking in Giant's causeway, Dunseverick Castle and Portbradden, Whitepark bay, Carrick-a-rede and Balintoy. Ulsterbus service 376 (Causeway Rambler). St. PATRICK'S WAY Steeped in history. Home of the early Christian Church founded by St. Patrick SKERMAGHAN POINT Brown's Bay, Islandmagee. Open headland with cliffs, coves and beaches. WHITEPARK BAY Near Ballintoy, Co. Antrim. One mile nature trail with vegetation developed on sand and chalk (geological interest). CONEY ISLAND 20 minutes from the Argory and near Lough Neagh. A tiny island of only seven acres believed to have been occupied from 8000 BC. LOCAL WALKS TITANIC TRAIL A walk around Belfast City centre taking in buildings and areas of interest. BANAGHER GLEN Off the Dungiven - Feeny road. A double circular walk of almost 9 miles around Altnaheglish Hill. LAGAN CANAL TOWPATH, CRAIGAVON Starting at Goudy Bridge and finishing at Annaghdroghal Bridge, 1.5 miles away. BLUE LOUGH Starting from the Carrick car park, this path is 5 miles to the viewpoint at Blue Lough. MOURNE MOUNTAIN WALK Starting at Donard car park in Newcastle, this is a circular route of 12 miles along the Mourne Wall and Tullymore Forest Park. SLIEVE CROOB Starting at the Dree Hill car park, this is a circular route of 6.5 miles which leads to the summit of Slieve Croob. CAUSEWAY HILL Just off the Pettigoe - Killeter road, a circular route of 11 miles starting at the car park near the graveyard and close to St. Patrick's Well. FLORENCECOURT AND CUILCAGH MOUNTAIN Starting at the gated Florencecourt Forest Park, this is two circular routes with a path to Cuilcagh. 16 miles in total. HISTORIC WALLS OF DERRY The only remaining completely walled city in Ireland. About one mile of history dating from the early 1600's. |
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