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Family exploring the Christmas trail at Rowallane Garden, County Down
Children enjoying an Christmas walk at Rowallane | © James Beck

Walking in Northern Ireland

Fall in love with Northern Ireland’s enchanting landscapes this Christmas season and feel the warmth of its festive welcome. From the frosty sands of Portstewart Strand to the serene, snow-dusted woodland trails at Florence Court, our walking routes offer something magical for everyone. This winter, let the trails through our cared-for places guide you through sparkling scenery, crisp air, and the timeless heritage of Northern Ireland.

Top walks in Northern Ireland

Snow covered Bridge on the Ridge Trail
Place
Place

Divis and the Black Mountain 

Take a walk into the wild with the Belfast city skyline as a backdrop. Follow the way-marked route crossing open health and blanket bog, to the highest point on Divis Mountain.

near Belfast, County Antrim

Fully open today
Castle Ward Boathouse in  Mist
Trail
Trail

Castle Ward Boundary Trail 

A challenging eight-mile trail that takes in some of the best sights around Castle Ward, from Audley's Castle to the Deer Park.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 8 (km: 12.8)
A photograph of Portstewart Strand captured in the dunes.
Place
Place

Portstewart Strand 

With its scenic sand dunes, dramatic cliffs and golden strands, there's not many better places for walkers to roam than the beach at Portstewart Strand.

Portstewart, County Londonderry

Fully open today
The lake in the garden at Mount Stewart, County Down, Northern Ireland
Trail
Trail

Mount Stewart lake walk 

No matter what time of the year you visit, a walk around the lake at Mount Stewart provides plenty of wonderful photo opportunities.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 0.6 (km: 0.96)
View of waves crashing against the Giant's Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Trail
Trail

Giant's Causeway Red Trail 

With many unique viewing points along the way, this bracing clifftop trail boasts spectacular vistas of the world-famous Causeway Coast that are off the beaten track.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 0.8 (km: 1.28) to miles: 2 (km: 3.2)
Visitor walking across the sand dunes at Murlough National Nature Reserve, County Down, Northern Ireland
Trail
Trail

Murlough North Point nature trail 

Discover the beauty of Murlough with a walk through this National Nature Reserve, home to 22 species of butterfly.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)
Winter sunset over Strangford Lough, County Down
Place
Place

Strangford Lough 

With its quaint cottages and eight-acre sandy beach, Kearney is a picture-perfect traditional fishing village. Follow the rocky shoreline along the southern tip of the Ards Peninsula.

Strangford, County Down

Fully open today
Visitors walking through the wooded trails at Florence Court, County Fermanagh
Trail
Trail

Florence Court Blue Trail 

A gentle circular walk through native Irish woodland with historical estate features along the way, including the Florence Court Yew Tree.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.2 (km: 3.52)

More top walks in Northern Ireland

A river and footpath framed by trees at Minnowburn, Northern Ireland
Trail
Trail

Riverside circular walk at Minnowburn 

Take a leisurely walk along the banks of the River Lagan into the heart of the Lagan Valley Regional Park, with an optional detour to the historic village of Edenderry.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.5 (km: 4)
Two swans on Lough Coole at Castle Coole in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
Trail
Trail

Castle Coole Lake Walk 

Take a pleasant, gentle walk around the tranquil Lough Coole, spotting wildlife, history and glimpses of the mansion house on the way.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.1 (km: 1.76)
Visitors enjoying the estate at Castle Coole, County Fermanagh.
Trail
Trail

Castle Coole Beech Trail 

A tranquil walk on paths through the Beech Wood at Castle Coole, passing the 18th-century Ice House and some of the oldest trees on the estate.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 0.5 (km: 0.8) to miles: 1.2 (km: 1.92)
Orlock Coastal Walk, County Down
Trail
Trail

Orlock Point Walk 

The coastal walk at Orlock on the North Down Coast is steeped in archaeology and history. With views of the Copeland Islands and out across the Irish Sea towards Scotland, it is one of the best coastal walks in Northern Ireland.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)
View down Strangford Lough from Castle Ward Bay with Audley's Castle on the left in County Down, Northern Ireland.
Trail
Trail

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.

Activities
Walking, Cycling
DistanceMiles: 1.8 (km: 2.88)
Castle Ward Boathouse in  Mist
Trail
Trail

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.

Activities
Walking, Cycling
DistanceMiles: 1.2 (km: 1.92)
Farmyard buildings in the autumn at Castle Ward, County Down
Trail
Trail

Castle Ward Farm Trail 

Discover one of the filming locations for Game of Thrones on this trail passing the historic farmyard at Castle Ward and enjoy views of Strangford Lough and Audley's Castle on the route.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.5 (km: 4)
A grey heron in flight
Trail
Trail

Crom wildlife walk 

Take a walk on the wild side at Crom. Wander through this important nature reserve with a tranquil landscape of islands, woodland and historic ruins.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.5 (km: 5.6)
The River Blackwater with yellow flowering weed growing on the river bank at The Argory, County Armagh, Northern Ireland
Trail
Trail

River walk at The Argory 

Follow the River Blackwater on this circular walk around the estate, and cross it on Bond's Bridge, with the chance to spot kingfishers.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)
Two women on the demesne walk at Mount Stewart, County Down in Northern Ireland
Trail
Trail

Mount Stewart Red Trail 

Explore Mount Stewart's demesne woodlands and farmland on this circular trail with an abundance of wildlife and interesting features to spot along the route.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)
Bluebells along the red trail in spring, Florence Court, Co. Fermanagh
Trail
Trail

Florence Court Red Trail 

A trail through the forest park at Florence Court which rewards walkers with views across Fermanagh and beyond at its peak.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 5.6 (km: 8.96)
Visitors walking through the wooded trails at Florence Court, County Fermanagh
Trail
Trail

Florence Court Blue Trail 

A gentle circular walk through native Irish woodland with historical estate features along the way, including the Florence Court Yew Tree.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.2 (km: 3.52)
Family spotting squirrels at the hide
Trail
Trail

Mount Stewart red squirrel trail 

How many red squirrels can you spot on the trail? A great walk for children and adults alike, around the formal gardens, lake and woodlands of Mount Stewart.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)
Fallen leaves on the Giants Ring trail
Trail
Trail

Giant's Ring circular walk at Minnowburn 

Take a relaxing walk along the river, through woodland and farmland, to a Neolithic earthwork, a natural amphitheatre and views across the Lagan Valley.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.2 (km: 3.52)
Castle Ward's Boathouse by Strangford Lough in the mist.
Trail
Trail

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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.5 (km: 4)
Family walking in the garden in autumn at The Argory, County Armagh
Trail
Trail

The Argory Lime Tree Walk 

Walk along an avenue of lime trees, discover a wildflower meadow and pass the Argory oak plantation on this gentle trail with views of the house to enjoy.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)
A family talk as they walk through the garden at Ardress House in County Armagh, Northern Ireland.
Trail
Trail

Ardress House: Lady's Mile walk 

The short, circular Lady's Mile walk guides you through a peaceful belt of woodland surrounding Ardress House with many species of trees to discover, including an old oak tree, which predates the original house.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)
Visitors walking in the grounds at Springhill, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Trail
Trail

Springhill beech walk 

Enjoy a stroll on a historic path leading up to an 18th-century tower through an avenue of beech trees, once a favourite route for the generations that lived at Springhill.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 0.25 (km: 0.4)
Aerial photograph of Carrick-a-Rede, County Antrim
Trail
Trail

Carrick-a-Rede coastal walk 

Trace this stretch of Northern Irish coastline over windswept grasslands and winding rocky paths to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and its bird's-eye views.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)

All walking in Northern Ireland

    Visitors at the Giant's Causeway, County Antrim

    Discover more in Northern Ireland.

    From the world-famous Giant's Causeway to the world-class Mount Stewart estate, discover the best things to see and do in Northern Ireland.