Living
4 min read
Whether you have already kicked off your new year to a motivational start or you’re ready to come out of hibernation and brush off the January blues, this is a great time to get out into the cold crisp winter air and finally blow those cobwebs away.
With a definite stretch in the days, it gives us time to explore a little further than dander around our local area. Here are some top spots around Northern Ireland, for varying levels of abilities, which will offer the perfect opportunity to get out and breathe in some fresh air, while soaking up some of our natural beauty spots. Fill a flask, dig out your walking shoes and grab your coat - it’s time to hit the road:
Belfast
Cave Hill Country Park – A popular walk throughout the year, Cave Hill offers a more challenging, steep route taking you through unsurfaced paths, past caves and crossing moorland as well as archaeological interests dating back to the Stone Age. Reaching the top you can take in the panoramic views, stretching for miles across Belfast and beyond.
Titanic Trail – A relatively new trail for the city, it runs from the Titanic Memorial at Belfast City Hall to the Titanic Quarter and is perfect for the whole family. The trail allows you to discover Belfast’s maritime heritage as well as its links to Titanic, taking walkers past the SSE Arena, SS Nomadic, Titanic Belfast and HMS Caroline through to the Thompson Graving Dock.
County Antrim
Glenariff Forest Park – Glenariff offers various walking options, but the more adventurous Waterfall Walk follows the red arrows taking you down a steep descent, along the boardwalk through Glenariff Nature Reserve, taking you through the river gorge and past the spectacular waterfalls.
Antrim Castle Gardens – For those hoping for a little less adventure and more of a leisurely stroll, Antrim Castle Gardens is a historic site with unique, 400-year-old gardens. With beautiful features and offering a unique visitor experience with the refurbished Clotworthy House at the heart of the Gardens, it offers a fantastic day out for the whole family.
County Armagh
Gosford Forest Park – A diverse woodland and open parkland, Gosford Forest Park is open throughout the year and offers facilities to entertain adventurers young and old. From the impressive playparks to the family mountain bike, horse and walking trails, the park is an inclusive space giving people over 12 years and of all abilities access to the forest’s walking and mountain biking trails.
Argory Blackwater River Walk – The Argory is an Irish gentry house set within a wooded riverside estate. It has a two-mile river walk that follows the River Blackwater around the estate before crossing the industrial age Bond’s bridge, make sure to keep an eye out for the wildlife including Kingfishers and Herons that are regularly seen in the area.
County Derry~Londonderry
Roe Valley Country Park – Offering stunning riverside views and woodland walks, this scenic and tranquil park offers walks through Roe Valley. With seating at various points, as well as special benches for less able-bodied, along with audio guides for blind and partially sighted visitors, this is a fantastic inclusive spot for everyone.
Benone Strand – At this time of year, Benone Strand will certainly help to blow the cobwebs away with the fresh wind blowing along the North Coast. One of the many stunning beaches along this coast, Benone is one of Ireland’s longest beaches, at 2.5 miles it allows you to take in views spanning to Downhill and Mussenden Temple and beyond to Inishowen in Donegal and as far as Scotland.
County Down
Delamont Country Park – Set on the shores of Strangford Lough, Delamont is a great spot for the whole family and for people of all abilities, with all walks wheelchair friendly. The park offers five walks ranging from 1km to 7km, all of which are interlinked and start and finish at the main car park.
Kilbroney Park Forest – As well as a two-mile forest drive, showcasing panoramic views over Carlingford Lough, Kilbroney Park offers a children’s Play Park as well as two trails perfect for families. The Kilbroney Tree Trails guides walkers through the park with trees highlighted on the trail. The Narnia Trail, brings to life the Chronicles of Narnia with features along the route to help capture the imaginations of walkers of all ages and the Fairy Glen offers varied scenery from riverside to scenic parkland and woodland.
County Fermanagh
Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail – Fondly referred to as the Stairway to Heaven, the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail is a popular spot. Taking walkers through one of the largest stretches of blanket bog in Northern Ireland over tracks and boardwalks, with the staircase taking you on a steep climb to the viewing platform, making it a worthwhile hike as you take in the breath-taking views.
Castle Archdale Country Park – Castle Archdale offers a hub of activities for the whole family including a variety of walks. From the beautiful woodland trail to the lough shore walk, you can enjoy the deer park enclosure, wildfowl ponds, wildflower meadow and butterfly garden along the way.
County Tyrone
Gortin Glen Forest Park – Gortin Glen, at the edge of the Sperrin mountains, offers five walking trails of varying lengths, so you can enjoy the forest park at your own pace. All trails are colour coded and lead back to the main car park and for those wanting to take in the stunning views, there’s a five-mile scenic drive.
Peatlands Park – With two National Nature Reserves, a walk around Peatlands Park will offer visitors a chance to discover a wide range of animals in their peatland and woodland habitats. There are various accessible park routes available as well as a play park and woodland play area for the younger visitor. Before you head out to explore Northern Ireland this winter, it’s important to make sure you have the right cover in place when it comes to Car Insurance.
As your trusted local insurance broker, AbbeyAutoline is here to help. Get a quote or give us a call today on 08000 66 55 44.
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