North Down, a region in Northern Ireland, offers diverse landscapes suitable for a range of outdoor pursuits. Its geography features an extensive coastline along Belfast Lough and the Ards Peninsula, complemented by tranquil country roads, forests, and country parks. This varied terrain provides opportunities for several sports like touring cycling, jogging, hiking, road cycling, and more. The area's natural features include coastal paths, wooded glens, and elevated viewpoints.
North Down provides a wide array…
140
Routes
4.4
(138)
Average rating
4240
People visited

157
runners
13.3km
01:23
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

159
runners
8.60km
00:59
110m
110m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

125
runners
16.1km
01:44
110m
110m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
100
runners
20.8km
02:25
110m
110m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.9
(7)
103
hikers
4.67km
01:23
150m
150m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
104
hikers
12.2km
03:11
80m
80m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
87
hikers
3.44km
00:52
0m
0m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
77
hikers
7.25km
01:54
50m
50m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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14
riders
106km
06:18
480m
470m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
5
riders
44.1km
02:43
340m
340m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
61.3km
04:01
430m
430m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
1
riders
32.5km
02:02
220m
220m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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2.5
(2)
4
riders
34.4km
03:11
650m
650m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

28.9km
02:07
270m
270m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
27.0km
02:41
600m
590m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
17.5km
01:45
380m
380m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3
riders
27.1km
01:09
120m
120m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(5)
124
riders
73.3km
03:09
320m
320m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
95
riders
49.1km
02:03
230m
230m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

84
riders
38.2km
01:58
80m
80m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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North Down offers a range of outdoor activities including Touring cycling, Jogging, Hiking, Road cycling, and Mountain biking. The region features an extensive coastline, greenways, and country roads suitable for various skill levels. More than 350 routes are available for exploration.
Yes, North Down provides family-friendly cycling options, particularly on its dedicated greenways and flatter coastal paths. Routes like the Comber Greenway offer traffic-free experiences suitable for families. For more options, consult the Traffic-free bike rides in North Down guide.
Popular hiking trails in North Down include sections of the North Down Coastal Path, Redburn Country Park, and Crawfordsburn Country Park. Scrabo Tower and Country Park also offer walks with panoramic views. The region has nearly 100 hiking routes available.
North Down features numerous road cycling routes, ranging from moderate excursions to more challenging long-distance rides. Examples include the Holywood to Islandhill loop (27.4 miles/44.1 km) and the North Down and Ards Peninsula Loop (38.1 miles/61.3 km). Detailed information is available in the Road Cycling Routes in North Down guide.
North Down offers some mountain biking opportunities, though fewer than other sports. The terrain includes varied landscapes suitable for off-road cycling. Specific routes and details can be found in the MTB Trails in North Down guide.
North Down is known for its 115 miles of coastline along Belfast Lough and Strangford Lough. Notable features include the North Down Coastal Path, Scrabo Tower with its 360-degree views, and Crawfordsburn Country Park with its waterfall. Strangford Lough is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Yes, North Down offers several dog-friendly trails, particularly within its country parks and along sections of the coastal path. These areas provide opportunities for walks with pets. A dedicated resource for these routes is the Dog-friendly hikes in North Down guide.
North Down is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 49,000 visitors having explored its routes. The region features over 350 routes across various sports, which have an average rating of 4.51 out of 5 stars.
The North Down Coastal Path is a 16-mile (25.7 km) trail stretching from Holywood to Orlock. It offers picturesque coastal views, beaches, and parkland, with sections suitable for jogging, hiking, and cycling. The path is rich in flora, fauna, and historic relics.
Komoot offers several guides for North Down, covering various activities. These include Cycling in North Down, Running Trails in North Down, and Hiking in North Down. Additional guides focus on specific interests like family-friendly or traffic-free routes.
The official website for the local council governing the North Down region is ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk. This site provides information on local services, attractions, and regulations within the Ards and North Down Borough.
Yes, North Down offers easy hiking trails, particularly in its country parks and along less strenuous sections of the coastal path. These routes are suitable for beginners or those seeking a leisurely walk. The Easy hikes in North Down guide provides specific recommendations.
The Comber Greenway is a popular traffic-free route in North Down, ideal for cycling, jogging, and walking. It provides a safe and accessible path for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly families. This greenway is a key feature for touring cyclists in the region.

