NORTHERN IRELAND
WALKS

The information given here is not all encompassing but it is as up to date as possible.
Some walks may close due to weather, maintenance or over-use.
Please check prices.

See also PARKS

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 WalkNI website has a very good PDF to download.

walk ni website



Online downloable Government countryside codes can be found at:
website

The main areas are:

Belfast & CavehillCarnlough to WaterfordLagan Valley TowpathFairhead & Murlough BayMourne MountainsCauseway CoastTollymore Forest ParkBinevenagh & MagilliganSaul & Slieve PatrickGorten GlenRostrevor ForestFlorencecourtShane's Hill to GlenarmLough Navar Forest



Waymerked Ways
WAYMARKED WAYS

Each 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. Examples are listed below.

Use with OSDS - Ordnance Survey Discoverer Series maps (1:50,000).
AONB - Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty


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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