Ardglass to Tyrella Beach - Lecale Way Trail

This is the 4th section of the Lecale Way Trail. The Lecale region of County Down is characterised by pretty villages, wild coastline and a liberal scattering of historic sites. This walking route uses a combination of country roads, tracks and footpaths to explore the best of the scenery, with lowland terrain and frequent signposts making it suitable for most levels of walking experience. Most of this section follows roads, with a brief interlude along the Killough Coastal Path.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Downpatrick to Newcastle - Lecale Way Trail

Technical sheet

n°30819761
A Down walk posted on 17/02/23 by Walk NI. Last update : 01/03/23
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.35 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 19 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 21 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 29 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
  • ⚐
    District: Down 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 54.267678° / W 5.603353°
  • ⚑
    End: N 54.254287° / W 5.748251°
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Description

Start : Crossroads between Hill Street and Bath Street, Ardglass, Downpatrick (BT30 7WH)

(S) From the centre of Ardglass, walk South along A2. After around 1 Km, pass the pretty marina on your left and head out of the village towards the Kildare Street (A2).

(1) Past Jordan's Castle, turn left onto Castle Place then right onto Green Road. Walk around 900 m on Green Road to reach A2 again where you turn left (South-West). Walk along A2 for around 3 Km, going through Coney Island and continuing round the wide tidal flats of Killough Bay.

(2) As you approach the centre of Killough village, opposite Bay Ct, turn left through a metal turnstile onto a paved footpath towards the waterside. This delightful trail leads around the back of the church to the pier. If the tide is out you may well see locals collecting shellfish from the mudflats below.

Return to the road and walk to the end of the village at the junction between Castle St and Quay Lane.

(3) Continue left (South) onto Shore Road for around 820 m, where a stile on the left indicates the start of the Killough Coastal Path. Please note: this stretch of path is rough and exposed in places with steep drops.

(4) Follow a rough trail above the rocky shoreline for around 2.7 Km, negotiating several stiles amid the wild terrain. As you round a series of inlets, the path is sometimes forced up to the edge of the fields to avoid a deep fissure. The lighthouse at St John’s Point comes into view near the end of the section, and you rejoin a laneway a short distance away from the building.

(5) Turn right (North) along Point road, soon passing the remains of St John’s Point Church and Holy Well, which have survived remarkably intact from the 10th or 11th century. Continue along the quiet country road (laneway) for roughly 3 Km before arriving back at the A2.

(6) Turn left (West) here and follow A2 for around 3.6 Km to a junction with C286.

(7) Turn left on A2, in Clanmaghery Road and follow the road along the shore, with fine open views across Dundrum Bay to the Mourne Mountains. Towards the end of this coastal section you pass Tyrella Beach, a sandy beach some 2 Km long that is popular with holidaymakers during the summer months. (E)

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 10 m - Ardglass
  2. 1 : km 1.33 - alt. 15 m - Jordan's Castle
  3. 2 : km 5.28 - alt. 5 m - Metal turnstile
  4. 3 : km 6.02 - alt. 7 m - Start of the Killough Coastal Path
  5. 4 : km 6.84 - alt. 10 m - Rough trail above the rocky shoreline
  6. 5 : km 9.5 - alt. 3 m - Point road
  7. 6 : km 12.57 - alt. 5 m - A2
  8. 7 : km 16.12 - alt. 8 m - Clanmaghery Road
  9. E : km 17.35 - alt. 8 m - Tyrella Beach

Useful Information

Start : Crossroads between Hill Street and Bath Street, Ardglass, Downpatrick (BT30 7WH)

Arrival : Tyrella Beach, Clanmaghery Rd, Downpatrick (BT30 8SU)

Terrain : Varried surfaces

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : Toilets, accommodation and refreshments are available all the way along the walk including the village of Ardglass.

Dog Policy : Dogs must be on leads at all times on the route.

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

Did You Know?
St John’s Point Lighthouse was built in 1844, and was later extended to 40m high. However it was 1981 before the light became fully automatic. Today the distinctive black and yellow stripes of the tower make it stand out amongst the 81 lighthouses dotted around the Irish coast.

Other walks in the area

Walking Kilclief to Ardglass - Lecale Way Trail

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↔11.26 km ↗+15 m ↘-15 m ◔3h 15 ▲Easy
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This 3rd section of the Lecale Way Trail. The Lecale region of County Down is characterised by pretty villages, wild coastline and a liberal scattering of historic sites. This walking route uses a combination of country roads, tracks and footpaths to explore the best of the scenery, with lowland terrain and frequent signposts making it suitable for most levels of walking experience. This section incorporates dramatic natural scenery around the Ballyhornan Coastal Path.

Walking Tyrella Beach to Dundrum - Lecale Way Trail

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↔11.82 km ↗+20 m ↘-20 m ◔3h 25 ▲Easy
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This is the 5th section of the Lecale Way Trail. The Lecale region of County Down is characterised by pretty villages, wild coastline and a liberal scattering of historic sites. This walking route uses a combination of country roads, tracks and footpaths to explore the best of the scenery, with lowland terrain and frequent signposts making it suitable for most levels of walking experience. A series of roads now leads to a beautiful stroll along a disused railway line.

Walking Downpatrick to Audley’s Castle - Lecale Way Trail

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↔19.28 km ↗+125 m ↘-125 m ◔5h 50 ▲Easy
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Walking Downpatrick to Newcastle - Lecale Way Trail

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↔78.02 km ↗+249 m ↘-245 m ◔6 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Down

Lecale Way extends from the heart of Downpatrick, taking in Strangford Lough and finishing in the seaside resort of Newcastle. Tower houses, castles and ancient monuments are dotted throughout its landscape and a wealth of wildlife can be discovered along the contrasting shores of Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea. An entrance fee to Castle Ward applies (National Trust Property).

Walking Quoile River Walk - Downpatrick

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↔6.65 km ↗+21 m ↘-23 m ◔2h 00 ▲Easy
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This walk begins at the Down County Museum, passing the Mound of Down, travelling along the Quoile River taking in sights such as Quoile Countryside Centre and Steamboat Quay.

Walking Castle Ward farm Trail - Strangford

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Castle Ward farm Trail - Strangford
↔4.03 km ↗+20 m ↘-20 m ◔1h 15 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Down

Let's see the countryside of Strangford and his castle. This trail leads along the shores of Strangford Lough and then winds through the woodlands surrounding Audleys Castle. The trail then leads through farmland before a narrow trail leads back to the car park. This trail leads through fields where there may be livestock.

Walking Audley’s Castle to Kilclief - Lecale Way Trail

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↔10.74 km ↗+52 m ↘-44 m ◔3h 15 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Down

This is the 2nd section of the Lecale Way Trail. The Lecale region of County Down is characterised by pretty villages, wild coastline and a liberal scattering of historic sites. This walking route uses a combination of country roads, tracks and footpaths to explore the best of the scenery, with lowland terrain and frequent signposts making it suitable for most levels of walking experience. The off-road trails along the shore of Strangford Lough provide the highlights of this section.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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