County Down – Mountains, Lough Shores, and Coastal Headlands
Granite uplands, enclosed sea loughs, and exposed shoreline along Northern Ireland’s eastern edge.
County Down is a coastal county of mountains, lough shores, and rolling farmland in south-east Northern Ireland. Walking routes cross the Mourne Mountains national landscape and follow the Ulster Way, linking places such as Newcastle, Rostrevor, Kilkeel, Strangford, and Bangor across upland tracks, forest paths, and shoreline ground between the Irish Sea and Strangford Lough.
Much of the terrain is firm but varied underfoot. Hill paths, gravel tracks, forest roads, coastal promenades, and minor lanes allow steady progress, with regular sustained climbs in the mountains and gentler walking along lough shores and lowland farmland. Surfaces range from stone and gravel on upland sections to compact soil and paved paths near settlements.
The landscape shifts between areas. The Mourne Mountains rise steeply in the south with granite tors and higher summits, while central Down becomes lower and more agricultural. Around Strangford Lough, routes follow sheltered inlets, tidal flats, and wooded peninsulas with flatter terrain.
Towns and villages are concentrated along the coast and lough edges, creating regular access points for day walks and longer linear routes, with quieter and more remote ground across the upland interior.
Trails and Routes Through County Down
Ulster Way (Down sections)
Long-distance regional route using mountain paths, forest tracks, and coastal sections through the Mournes and around Strangford Lough.
Mourne Mountain Paths
Network of upland and summit routes between Newcastle, Silent Valley, and Rostrevor with steeper gradients and rocky ground.
Strangford Lough Shore Routes
Low-level walking on shoreline paths, minor roads, and woodland tracks around the lough edge.
Lecale and Ards Peninsula Paths
Coastal and farmland routes across lower, open ground with gentle gradients.
Walking Character
- Granite mountains and steep slopes
- Forest tracks and upland paths
- Sheltered lough shores
- Coastal headlands and beaches
- Sustained climbs in upland areas
- Flatter lowland and shoreline walking
- Mixed inland and coastal terrain