The walks from the Ness Country Park visitor centre to the Ness Woods waterfalls are just re-opened after being closed for over two years because of path damage from the Easter 2017 floods!

The on-screen and PDF map for Bangor to Orlock has been extensively updated including adding NASA derived contours to show the shape to the coastal headlands. There are also some new photographs.

See the full Orlock to Bangor Post here

The two walk descriptions for the Donard Foothills area and the associated trail and overview maps have just been updated and improved. The changes take into account the impact of the hillside and forest fires of Easter 2019 and changes in vegetation cover on the open mountain. In addition, basic contours (derived from NASA data) have been added to all maps to give a better overview of the terrain. However, we still recommend using a proper commercial mountain map – see the post Get a Mountain Map (and look at it)!

Updated Walks

• Donard Foothills (Overview)
• Tollymore East and Donard Forest from Newcastle
• Tollymore and Donard Forest Viewpoints

External links

• Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland 1:25,000 Activity Maps
• Harvey Superwalker 1:25,000 Mourne Mountains
• Viewranger Apps and Maps (OSNI, Harvey and OpenStreetmap)

Delamont Country Park is one of the few areas open to the public which give access to the shore of Strangford Lough. There is a short section of shore trail and a prominent hilltop with great views over Strangford, the low hills near Downpatrick and, on a clear day, the Mournes beyond. Gibbs Island is a wonderful tranquil reserve with lough side walking, old woodland with a herony, a rookery and intriguing hints of previous human occupation. Combining the two into a single walk gets around the very limited access and parking at Gibbs Island and adds the necessary distance to get your head and senses tuned in to this precious piece of Strangford shoreland.