Scrabo Hill - Newtownards

Start : Scrabo Country Park’s main car park (BT23 4SL). Grid J475722

(S/E) From the top end of the main car park, cross the road to reach the tarmac access route leading to Scrabo Tower. You will pass a signposted picnic site on the right. Turn right, walk 200m.

(1) Keep walking straight ahead (North-East) to visit Scrabo Hill Tower and hill.

(2) On leaving the summit of Scrabo Hill return via the same route until arriving at a narrow path on the left you previously passed. (A)

(1) Turn left and follow this path downhill to reach the picnic site. At the opposite end of the site follow another path downhill, keeping to the left at a fork (follow direction arrow). As it makes it’s way downhill, the path provides views across the South Quarry. Continue to follow the path until it meets a second track.

(3) Turn left (North) and then at the next fork bear right (North-East then North-West and then North again). The path will turn North-East.

(4) You will arrive at a junction of 4 paths. Eventually down a set of steps to a lower level. Follow this path along the bottom of the North Quarry. Make your way to the right through the north and then the South Quarry. At the end of this path, turn right, passing to the side of a green barrier.

(5) From this point, continue straight on along this now familiar route back to the car park. (S/E)

Start : Scrabo Country Park’s main car park (BT23 4SL). Grid J 475722

Driving to start : From Newtownards or the Comber bypass, follow the signs for Scrabo Country Park. Drive uphill to the Country Park’s main car park (Grid J 475722).

Parking : Country Park’s main car park

Terrain : Off road paths, steep

Public Transport : Translink

Facilities : Toilet block situated at the main car park at the start of the walk.

Dog Policy : Dogs must be kept under close control

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

(A) Scrabo Tower, (open to the public from Easter to end September) : Scrabo Tower is a 135 feet (41 m) high 19th-century lookout tower or folly that stands on Scrabo Hill near Newtownards in County Down, Northern Ireland. It provides wide views and is a landmark that can be seen from afar. It was built as a memorial to Charles Vane, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry and was originally known as the Londonderry Monument. Its architectural style is Scottish Baronial Revival.

Source and more information about Scrabo Tower here !