walk northern ireland discover amazing countryside, parks and coastline walkni.com northern ireland walk this way... accessible Fly from Great Britain to Northern Ireland in less than one hour. Drive from Dublin in less than two hours. compact Go from the amazing Mourne Mountains in the south east to the magnificent north west in only two hours. diverse Choose from a vast array of forest parks, coastal paths, mountains, beaches and much more. spectacular Find unspoilt tranquility in scenic lakes, stunning coastline and beautiful mountains all in one small package. FRONT COVER: SLIEVE GULLION, COUNTY ARMAGH. BACK COVER: MARLBANK, COUNTY FERMANAGH. CROM, COUNTY FERMANAGH. COUNTY CROM, 01 | walkni.com walkni.com | 02 33 32 34 contents 1 22 18 19 05 Welcome to Walking in Northern Ireland 17 Downhill Demesne and Mussenden Temple Causeway Coastal Route Get a taste of the spectacular areas for walking 31 07 Armagh 30 35 Peatlands Country Park • Loughall Country Park • Oxford Island • 16 Slieve Gullion • Ring of Gullion Way • Newry Canal Way 2 21 20 12 Antrim 29 Carnfunnock Country Park • Glenariff Forest Park • Causeway Coast Way • Giant’s Causeway • Carrick-a-Rede • Antrim Hills Way • Croaghan • White Park Bay 15 14 18 Down Tollymore and Castlewellan Forest Parks • North Down Coastal Path • 49 3 25 Mourne Way • Island Hill • Castle Ward • Lecale Way • 12 11 10 Slieve Donard via Glen River • Rostrevor - Cloughmore Stone 9 13 26 28 27 23 50 24 Fermanagh 24 Castle Archdale Country Park • Castle Coole • Killyfole Lough • 36 Crom • Marlbank • Cladagh Glen • Florence Court • Correl Glen 38 1 8 29 Londonderry 4 37 Roe Valley Country Park • Benone Strand • Portstewart Strand • 47 48 Mussenden Temple and Downhill Demesne • Banagher Glen • 2 Ness Country Park 5 43 33 Tyrone 6 Murlough 7 Nature Reserve 42 3 46 Robbers Table • Gortin Glen Forest Park and Lakes • 44 41 Central Sperrins Way • Lough Macrory • Lough Fea • Causeway Hill • 40 An Creagán 5 4 39 45 38 Belfast F ABCDE G Lagan Tow Path and Barnett Demesne • Lagan Meadows • Botanic Gardens • Divis and Black Mountain • Belfast Castle Estate and Cave Hill Country Park • Map Reference Minnowburn and Giant’s Ring 01 Castle Archdale (p25) A4 14 Lough Fea (p36) C3 25 Belfast Castle/Cave Hill (p41) E3 38 Oxford Island (p09) D4 43 Directory of Quality Walks in Northern Ireland 02 Castle Coole (p25) B4 15 Central Sperrins Way (p35) C3 26 Divis and Black Mountain (p41) E3 39 Slieve Gullion (p09) D5 A useful list of all Short, Medium and Long Quality Walks 03 Killyfole Lough (p26) C5 16 Roe Valley (p30) C2 27 Lagan Towpath (p39) E3 40 Ring of Gullion (p10) D5 04 Crom (p26) B5 17 Benone Strand (p30) C1 28 Botanic Gardens (p40) E3 41 Newry Canal Way (p11) D4 45 Practical Information Safety, Accomodation and Walking Providers 05 Marlbank (p27) A5 18 Portstewart Strand (p31) C1 29 Carnfunnock Country Park (p13) E2 42 Tollymore Forest Park (p19) E5 06 Cladagh Glen (p27) A5 19 Mussenden Temple (p31) C1 30 Glenariff Forest Park (p13) E2 43 Castlewellan Forest Park (p19) E5 47 Planning your trip in Northern Ireland 07 Florencecourt (p28) A5 and Downhill Demesne 31 Croaghan (p17) E1 44 Slieve Donard (p23) E5 Whether you visit by land, sea or air find all the information you will need 08 Correl Glen (p28) A4 20 Banagher Glen (p32) C2 32 White Park Bay (p17) D1 45 Rostrevor Forest Park (p21) E5 09 Robbers Table (p34) B3 21 Ness Country Park (p32) C2 33 Giant’s Causeway (p15) D1 46 Mourne Way (p20) E5 10 Gortin Forest and Lakes (p34) B3 22 Causeway Coast Way (p14) D1 34 Carrick-a-Rede (p15) D1 47 Castle Ward (p21) F4 11 Causeway Hill (p37) A3 23 Lagan Meadows (p40) E3 35 Antrim Hills Way (p16) E2 48 Lecale Way (p22) F4 For detailed information on each of the walks check out 12 An Creagán (p37) C3 24 Minnowburn and (p42) E4 36 Peatlands Country Park (p08) D4 49 North Down Coastal Path (p19) F3 13 Lough Macrory (p36) C3 Giant’s Ring 37 Loughgall Country Park (p08) D4 50 Island Hill (p21) F3 www.walkni.com 03 | walkni.com walkni.com | 04 Londonderry: Tyrone: Fermanagh: welcome to walking in northern ireland... 1 Waves and Woods 2 Peaceful Pleasure 3 Limestone and Loughs Northern Ireland is fortunate to have so many beautiful regions, all with their own unique appeal. A breathtaking mixture of award winning Home to the Sperrins, a designated Area Fermanagh is best known for its angling and beaches and tranquil glens. Get the sea air of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the watersports, but this magical area with its into your lungs on Benone Strand (p.30) or mountainous valleys are threaded with spectacular waterways, stately homes, Portstewart Strand (p.31). rivers, streams, forests, lakes and castles and forest parks is a beautiful yet shady glens. tranquil place to walk. Escape to the serenity of the countryside in a range of beautiful glens, forests and Walkers can amble freely along quiet roads Part of Ireland’s first genuine ecotourism valleys offering a diverse range of flora and laneways, hike over rough terrain or destination - the “Greenbox”, with a set of and fauna. stroll in the forest parks with their trails standards based on sound environmental and tracks. practices highlighting all that the region and its people has to offer. Armagh: Down: Belfast: 4 Saints and Scenery 5 Summits and Sea 6 Behind the hussle Armagh is an area steeped in history and The Mourne Mountains, often said to be City life with a sense of the countryside. folklore. Home to the impressive Slieve Northern Ireland’s “crowning glory” There is no better way to view this vibrant Gullion Mountain (p.09) as well as tranquil dominate the landscape of County Down. city than from marvellous vantage points canal towpaths, country parks and unique Slieve Donard (p.23) is Northern Ireland’s such as Divis Mountain or Cave Hill (p.41). Our short description of each county will give you a taste of the vast array of stunning nature reserves, walking is the best way to highest peak, rising 853m above sea level. sample the mix of woodland and heath bog. A range of walks which are dotted around walking routes available. There is something for everyone, so read on and then get out and The area also boasts the largest sea lough the city provide easy access to peace and The southern shore of Lough Neagh, the in the British Isles. Strangford Lough is of quiet; perfect to combine with a city break enjoy the fresh air - largest lake in the British Isles, hosts a great interest to walkers who enjoy or that relaxing Sunday afternoon stroll. number of routes for the serious rambler or spotting wildlife. The Exploration begins! those looking for a leisurely stroll. Antrim: Quality Walks 7 Northern Exposure The assessment of Northern Ireland’s walking routes has been carried out by walkers for walkers. By choosing a Quality Walk you can leave home with the knowledge your selected route is one of the best Northern Ireland has to offer! For detailed information on the Quality Walks Scheme check out www.walkni.com All Quality Walks should display the relevant “Quality Stamp” at the start and finish of the walk. Look out for the logo throughout the brochure. Antrim offers a range of spectacular coast and lush glens. The Causeway coast is one of Europe’s most scenic areas taking in picturesque villages, rugged cliffs, magnificent coastline and the UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Giant’s Causeway (p.15). The area is dominated by the Antrim Plateau rising to 500m, cut by fast flowing rivers to form a series of picturesque glens. 0 – 5 Miles 5-20 Miles Over 20 Miles 05 | walkni.com walkni.com | 06 peatlands country park Peatlands Country Park was created specifically to aid and promote peatbog awareness and conservation. Nature Reserves. The trail begins through much more extensive bog, with peat 9 Nearest Town: Armagh woodland, over bog land and round metres deep, growing here untouched by Distance: 5.5 miles (8.8km) Circular Derryadd Lough to Annagarriff Reserve. humans for over 8,000 years. Points of Interest: Visitor Centre/ Its 190 acres is comprised of four wooded Biodiversity Education Centre drumlin hills separated by areas of facilities OSNI Sheet: 19 regenerating bog. Annagariff is the only Countryside/Biodiversity Education Centre, place in Ireland you will find the rare Scottish Start Point: Countryside Centre, toilets, free parking. Gates open 9am to Grid Ref: H896605 Wood Ant, which can build its nest to the 9pm Easter Sunday to end of September, size of a double bed. Finish Point: Countryside Centre, and 9am to 5pm during winter months. Grid Ref: H896605 The route continues to Mullenakill Reserve. Rich in flora and fauna, this unique 680 This is a 54 acre uncut remnant of a once acre site can be explored along 5 waymarked paths and wooden walkways ranging from 1 mile (1.6km) to 5.5 miles (8.8km) in length. Starting at the Visitor Centre, the longest and most varied route is the Peatlands Walk. It follows tarmac and woodchip paths, waymarked with red arrows, and leads through the Park’s two National loughgall country park An inspiring walk in the heart of the ‘Orchard of Ireland’, where few scenes could be more beautiful than rural Armagh during apple blossom. Loughall Country Park, a 465 acre estate, is Lakeside Trail, hugging the shoreline and Nearest Town: Loughgall located adjacent to the picturesque village passing the numerous fishing stands.