![View down Strangford Lough from Castle Ward Bay with Audley's Castle on the left in County Down, Northern Ireland.](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/northern-ireland/places/castle-ward/library/audleys-castle-and-strangford-lough-county-down-52525.jpg?auto=webp&width=767&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Castle Trail at Castle Ward
An excellent trail for spotting wildlife and taking in the stunning scenery of Strangford Lough, Audley's Castle and the farmyard at Castle Ward.
Total steps: 4
Total steps: 4
Start point
Shore car park, OSNI grid reference: J571497
Step 1
Start in the shore car park.
Step 2
Follow the shore of Strangford Lough from the farmyard to Audley's Quay.
Step 3
The trail then leads you around Audley's Castle.
Step 4
Now follow Audleystown Road, a quiet public road back to the farmyard.
End point
Castle Ward farmyard
Trail map
More near here
![Family autumn day at Castle Ward](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/northern-ireland/places/castle-ward/library/autumn/autumn-hero-image-web.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
![A grassy path, with two people on it, leads between trees towards water on the Castle Ward loughside trail at Castle Ward, Northern Ireland](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/northern-ireland/places/castle-ward/library/summer/visitors-castle-ward-loughside-trail-castle-ward-northern-ireland-1410914.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Loughside walk at Castle Ward
Explore the waterside, with a ruined castle, woodland, an ornamental lake, follies and wildlife to spot along the way, on this easy circular walk.
![Visitors exploring the shore of Strangford Lough, County Down, Northern Ireland](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/regions/northern-ireland/places/strangford-lough/library/visitors-walking-trail-strangford-lough-county-down-northern-ireland-1410923.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Castle Ward Shore Trail
Follow this short accessible trail at Castle Ward, County Down and take in the beautiful surroundings and scenery of Strangford Lough and architecture of the castle.
![A horse rider at Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire in spring](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/library/visit/outdoor-activities/horse-rider-ashridge-estate-hertfordshire1238696.jpg?auto=webp&width=505&crop=16:9&dpr=2 2x)
Castle Ward Hoof Trail
The Hoof Trail is a 7.5-mile route through woodland and along the shore of Strangford Lough with views of Audley's Castle and the Castle Ward Demesne.
Get in touch
Our partners
![Cotswold Outdoor](http://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/gallery/website/national/partners/cotswold-outdoor-logo.jpg?auto=webp&width=156&crop=1:1&dpr=2 2x)
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
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