Official tourism website for Northern Ireland
En

North Down Coastal Path

Extends from Holywood to Orlock near Donaghadee, County Down
Helen's Bay beach

Book Tickets Online

About

North Down Coastal Path extends from Holywood in the west to Orlock in the east. The path passes through coastline and parkland. Historic relics and flora and fauna are found in abundance, including the grey seals which can be spotted offshore.

Please be aware that sections of the North Down Coastal Path follow private roads.  Please respect the Highway Code when walking, cycling or running along these sections where residential traffic will have right of way. Northern Ireland has very few public rights of way and therefore in many areas walkers can only enjoy countryside walks because of the goodwill and tolerance of local landowners.  In the interests of your own safety please be respectful when using the area for recreational purposes.

Start Point:
J397793

Finish Point:
J565828

Route:
The walk begins at the Esplanade in Holywood. Walk under the railway arch and turn right. Follow the linear path along the outer edge of Belfast Lough towards Seapark, a recreational area with a play park. Continue past the park towards the Royal North Yacht Club. From here follow the public footpath as it rejoins the Coastal Path. At this point a detour to the right will lead to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum and the railway halt. Continuing on the path leads to Craigavad, with the Royal Belfast Golf Club on the right. Beyond this point cross the bridge in front of Rockport Primary School. About 2 miles further round the coast, a set of steep steps takes you inland at the Seahill Sewage Treatment and rejoins the coast path as you descend at the far end. From here the path leads to Crawfordsburn Country Park, passing Grey Point Fort, Helen's Bay and through to Crawfordsburn Beach. Leaving the path briefly, cross Swineley Bay and pick up the path at the far side. Continue walking along the path to Wilson's Point, where the path turns towards Bangor Marina. From here follow the path round to Ballyholme Beach, which leads to the National Trust area of Ballymacormick Point. The path continues to Groomsport Harbour, where the path becomes rural in nature, crossing the beach area round towards Orlock Point, Portavo. A small lay-by indicates the end of the walk.

Distance:
16 miles

Terrain:
Bitmac, stone and grass paths

Point of interest:
Grey Fort Point (battery and gun emplacement), views

Facilities:
Toilets, accommodation and refreshments are available along the walk including in the villages and towns of Newtownards, Helens Bay, Groomsport and Bangor

Publication:
1. The Coastal Path – Map guide. 2. A Guide to the North Down Coastal Path

Publication availability:
North Down Coastal Path Leaflet downloadable from this page.

Nearest town:
Holywood, Co Down

OS map:
Sheet 15

Accessible toilet facilities:
Yes

Accessible terrain:
The route crosses a variety of surfaces including smooth concrete to beach and a rocky narrow shoreline section.

 

For more information, contact Ards and North Down Borough Council on 028 9127 0069 (Bangor Visitor Information Centre) or 0300 013 3333 (Main Council Switchboard).

Book Tickets

Facilities

Provider Preferences

  • Free (parking charges may apply)

Add North Down Coastal Path to your Itinerary

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel028 9127 0069

Map & Directions

What's Nearby

  1. Holywood's most well known feature is the town's Maypole, the only surviving in Ireland.…

    0.06 miles away
  2. Holywood Priory is an intersting and historic site close to the bustling town of Holywood.

    0.15 miles away
  3. Holywood Motte is an Anglo-Norman castle mound, which probably had a ditch round its base…

    0.2 miles away
  4. A lovely park perfect for families located only a short distance from Holywood.

    0.62 miles away
  5. Redburn Country Park is set on an escarpment above Belfast Lough. There are 7km of…

    1.23 miles away
  6. Refresh the connection at Ulster Folk Museum, a place where traditions and heritage…

    1.47 miles away
  7. Celebrate the history of invention and innovation through engineering, design, and…

    1.55 miles away
  8. If you’ve never visited RSPB’s Northern Ireland's nature reserve right in the heart of…

    1.89 miles away
  9. Established in 1984 we provide a prompt personal and professional research service for…

    2.2 miles away
  10. Parliament Buildings is home to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the legislative body for…

    2.62 miles away
  11. This was CS Lewis’ local church in which he was baptised on 29 January 1899 and confirmed…

    3.18 miles away
  12. Stormont Estate is a Green Flag Award winning public park recognised as one of Northern…

    3.31 miles away
  13. Months of exacting work go into each of Keith Drury’s detailed artworks and they often…

    3.36 miles away
  14. The World War One warship HMS Caroline is the last surviving ship from the 1916 Battle of…

    3.37 miles away
  15. Although not officially classed as wonders of the world, the two massive cranes in…

    3.46 miles away
  16. The Great Light is one of the largest optics of its kind ever built in the world, and is…

    3.54 miles away

Virtual Tour

Map & Directions

Public Transport Directions

Translink - journeyplanner.translink.co.uk

Back to Top

Tourism Northern Ireland

Don't Miss