Ardees Upper, a region in Northern Ireland, encompasses the southern part of the Ards Peninsula, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Bordered by the pristine waters of Strangford Lough to the west and the Irish Sea to the east, the area features diverse coastlines, tranquil lough shores, and a mix of woodlands and open countryside. This gently undulating landscape provides an ideal setting for several outdoor sports like hiking, road cycling, jogging, and touring cycling.
27
Routes
4.7
(24)
Average rating
240
People visited

5.0
(7)
40
hikers
4.11km
01:03
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
5
hikers
17.4km
05:05
400m
400m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
2
hikers
4.53km
01:37
240m
240m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
27
hikers
2.10km
00:59
220m
220m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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11
riders
32.5km
01:23
200m
200m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

9
riders
60.0km
02:30
410m
410m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
5
riders
42.6km
01:51
250m
250m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

1
riders
40.7km
01:56
260m
260m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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51.9km
03:02
300m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
84.8km
05:08
590m
590m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
7
riders
51.7km
03:06
400m
400m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

34.1km
02:05
280m
280m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1
runners
5.15km
00:38
80m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
runners
6.90km
00:51
90m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
6.73km
00:52
160m
160m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
10.5km
01:07
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Ardees Upper refers to the southern portion of the Ards Peninsula in Northern Ireland. It is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, bordered by Strangford Lough to the west and the Irish Sea to the east. The region features diverse coastlines, tranquil lough shores, and a mix of woodlands and open countryside.
Ardees Upper offers a range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Road cycling, Jogging, and Touring cycling. The region provides diverse terrain suitable for various skill levels. Over 400 visitors have contributed to an average activity rating of 4.72 out of 5 stars on komoot.
Yes, Ardees Upper features many trails suitable for beginners and all skill levels. The area offers a network of over 40 trails, mostly easy routes. Specific easy hikes can be found in the guide Easy hikes around Ardees Upper.
Popular hiking routes include coastal walks at Kearney Village, the 40 Steps at Kircubbin with views of Strangford Lough, and trails at Glastry Clay Pits. Other notable walks are found at Killynether Wood, Scrabo Tower, and the Floodgates Walk. More options are detailed in Hiking around Ardees Upper.
Ardees Upper provides excellent opportunities for road cycling, with routes that follow the shoreline of Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea coast. Cyclists can find loops of varying lengths through picturesque villages. The guide Road Cycling Routes around Ardees Upper offers specific routes.
The terrain in Ardees Upper is generally gently undulating, featuring a mix of diverse coastlines, tranquil lough shores, woodlands, and open countryside. It includes sandy beaches, rocky coves, and landscaped parks. This variety supports a range of outdoor activities.
Yes, Ardees Upper offers scenic paths suitable for jogging. Popular routes include the Floodgates run along Strangford Lough and various loops with sea views in areas like Donaghadee and Portaferry Harbor. The guide Running Trails around Ardees Upper provides more information.
Ardees Upper is suitable for families, offering many easy routes and diverse landscapes. The Comber Greenway provides a traffic-free, mostly flat option ideal for families. Many coastal and woodland walks are accessible for various ages and abilities.
Information regarding specific dog-friendly policies for all trails in Ardees Upper is not universally available. Visitors should check local signage or specific trail guidelines for individual routes or protected areas before bringing dogs.
Key natural features include Strangford Lough, the largest sea lough in the British Isles, which is a Marine Conservation Zone and UNESCO Geopark. The region also boasts 115 miles (185 km) of diverse coastline, woodlands like Corrig Wood, and various beaches. It is a haven for wildlife, especially birds.
Ardees Upper is a popular destination for outdoor activities on komoot, with over 400 visitors having explored the region. Activities in Ardees Upper have received an average rating of 4.72 out of 5 stars from the komoot community.
Further information about Ardees Upper, including accommodation, local events, and dining options, can be obtained from the Ards Visitor Information Centre in Newtownards. Their official website is visitstrangfordlough.co.uk, and they can be reached at +44 (0)28 9182 6846.
Yes, komoot offers several guides for Ardees Upper to help plan activities. These include Hiking around Ardees Upper, Road Cycling Routes around Ardees Upper, and Cycling around Ardees Upper.
General permits are not typically required for accessing public trails and engaging in common outdoor activities like hiking or cycling in Ardees Upper. However, specific regulations may apply to certain protected areas or private lands. It is advisable to check for any local restrictions before visiting.
Ardees Upper offers excellent touring cycling opportunities along its scenic coastal roads and through picturesque villages. Routes often hug the shores of Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea. The guide Cycling around Ardees Upper provides details on various touring options.

