Downpatrick to Newcastle - Lecale Way Trail
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).
Technical sheet No. 30819578
Author's time : 6 days
Distance : 78.02 km
Vertical gain : 249 m
Vertical drop : 245 m
Highest point : 74 m
Lowest point : 0 m 
Difficulty : Difficult
Back to starting point : No
Walking
Location : Down
Starting point : N 54.327358° / W 5.718895° 
Ending point : N 54.210074° / W 5.891533° 
Today's forecast :
Step by step walk
This walk needs several days, please find the details below.
Downpatrick to Audley’s Castle - Lecale Way Trail
This is the 1rst section od 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.
Audley’s Castle to Kilclief - Lecale Way Trail
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.
Kilclief to Ardglass - Lecale Way Trail
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.
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.
Tyrella Beach to Dundrum - Lecale Way Trail
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.
Dundrum to Newcastle - Lecale Way Trail
This is the 6th 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. Almost all of the final section is off-road, with the dunes and sands of Newcastle Beach providing a fitting finale.
Useful Information
Start : Once in Downpatrick follow the road signs for the St Patrick’s Centre. There is a free car park and several pay car parks within 300 metres of the start point at the St Patrick’s Centre.
Terrain : Path, beach and quiet road
Public Transport : Translink
Facilities : Toilets, accommodation and refreshments are available all the way along the walk including the villages and towns of Downpatrick, Strangford, Ardgalss and Newcastle. The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility: – Café (wheelchair accessible) – Downpatrick, Castle Ward, Strangford, Ardglass, Newcastle – Shop (wheelchair accessible) – Downpatrick, Strangford, Ardglass, Killough, Clough, Dundrum, Newcastle – Visitors Centre – Downpatrick, Newcastle – Disabled toilets – Downpatrick, Castle Ward, Strangford, Ardglass, Newcastle – Disabled parking – Downpatrick, Ardglass, Dundrum, Newcastle
Dog Policy : Dogs must be on leads at all times on the route.
Note : Please be aware that this walking route passes through areas of open land such as working farmland and tidal zones. Livestock may be present and ground conditions may be uneven or wet underfoot. Please refer to the ‘Walk Safely’ information that can be found at the link below.
Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
During the walk or to do/see around
St Patrick’s Centre,
Downpatrick Steam Railway,
Down Cathedral,
Down Museum,
Gallows Hill, Struell Wells,
St Patrick’s Monument,
Sandy beaches, seabirds and seals.
Other walks in the area
19.28 km
+125 m
-125 m
5h50
Easy
Starting point in Down This is the 1rst section od 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.
11.82 km
+20 m
-20 m
3h25
Easy
Starting point in Down 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.
17.35 km
+19 m
-21 m
5h00
Easy
Starting point in Down 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.
4.03 km
+20 m
-20 m
1h15
Easy
Starting point in 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.
9.73 km
+50 m
-48 m
2h55
Easy
Starting point in Down This trail is a link section between Dundrum and Newcastle. Walk in fields and along the Beach and become aware of the nature that surrounds us.
3.91 km
+7 m
-7 m
1h10
Easy
Starting point in Down The Dundrum Coastal Path runs along a 2.5 Km stretch of the disused railway line on the western shore of Dundrum Inner Bay. The path forms part of the Lecale Way and is popular with walkers and birdwatchers alike. The path itself is of considerable nature conservation interest with a variety of semi-natural habitats along its length including herb-rich grassland, marginal scrub and scrub-woodland, marshy tall herb stands, brackish pools, and a narrow fringe of saltmarsh.
10.74 km
+52 m
-44 m
3h15
Easy
Starting point in 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.
11.26 km
+15 m
-15 m
3h15
Easy
Starting point in Down 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.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
