Castle Espie Wildlife Wander Trail - Comber

Castle Espie, situated on the shores of Strangford Lough near Comber, County Down, is the newest Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) visitor centre and the Trust’s first in Ireland. Castle Espie’s main draw, though, is its magical mix of wide estuary views, tidal lagoon, eel-grass mats, woodland walks, salt marshes and reed beds; the presence of Ireland’s largest collection of native and exotic water-birds

The walk takes in the summit of Scrabo Hill and the famous Scrabo Tower built in 1857, one of Ireland’s best known landmarks. The views over Strangford Lough and North Down are some of the finest in the country. The walk then descends to the disused sandstone quarries which provided building stone since Anglo-Norman times. The old quarries have major geological importance and have been designated an Area of Special Scientific Interest.

The trail takes in the path around the lake, formal and informal gardens including Rhododendron Hill as an alternative route.

Welcome to the Red Trail on the Mount Stewart estate. Mount Stewart gardens were acquired by National Trust in 1957, with the house following in 1977. The wider estate was acquired in 2014, bringing the total area to just under 1000 acres. The first areas that have been opened to visitors incorporate the Red, Blue, and Yellow Trails. The Red trail is the main circular walk, and loops through a mixture of woodland and farmland. There are a number of points of interest along the walk, including working farmland, the ruins of a folly, and water features. Red squirrels may be seen in the trees, or running along the ground to get into a tree. The best times to walk the Red Trail are early in the morning or late afternoon, especially in Autumn.

A walk through attractive woodland and parkland with many interesting features including Parliament Buildings. Only five miles out of the city, Stormont Woodland Walk and Fitness Trail, is a great place to walk, run and relax.

The Clandeboye Way is a great off road walk through a variety of landscapes with lots to see along the way. Of historical interest is Helen’s Tower and the old Leadmines at Whitespots Country Park. The path leads through old laneways, some farm tracks and woodland paths.

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.

This rocky outcrop along the shores of Belfast Lough, on the west side of Groomsport is covered in gorse and shrubs, good for rough walking, and for spotting birds, flowers and foxes.
Ballymacormick is just on the edge of Belfast Lough, so there are interesting views north and west.