Ulster Way - Ballynure to Belfast

Monday 12th Feb 2024

Over the next while I'm tackling the Ulster Way, walking between my two favourite places in Northern Ireland - The Causeway Coast & The Mourne Mountains

This is my first section complete!

I chose Ballynure to Belfast as my first section for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I wanted to start with a route that had safety nets nearby (and by safety nets I mean friends who could come pick me up if I had bitten off more than I could chew). And secondly, this route has easily accessible public transport routes nearby if I got really stuck.

I was also able to do this section in one day, taking away the stress of figuring out where to sleep on a multiple day hike.

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Starting Out

I woke up in Castlerock at 6am to start my journey down to Ballynure. After a 6.35am train to Belfast, 30 minute layover & 9am bus out to Ballynure, I was dropped off at the side of the road just metres from the Ulster Way route.

It felt pretty bizarre to be dropped off in the middle of a random village and immediately start walking back to where I'd just come from. But exciting all the same!

Hour 1 - 9.30 to 10.30am

The first section of the walk is along roads through pretty countryside and the picturesque village of Straid. Nothing much to report in the first hour, but I saw my first glimpse of snowdrops of the year, the road was quiet to walk along and you get views over sweeping fields for miles. All very quaint and the sunshine just topped it off!

Hour 2 - 10.30 to 11.30am

Along the road I made my way into Mid & East Antrim, up the gentle incline past North Carn Forest and finally off the road into Woodburn Forest. You're up pretty high here and the views across the countryside are incredible!

I decided to derail a little so I could walk through less trodden parts of the forest and I'm so glad I did! I found hidden sun traps with only the sound of trees swaying in the wind and beautiful plants lining the woodland floor.

As I rejoined the trail in the middle of the forest, I didn't see another soul. There was big openings where the sun was beaming down and I was surrounded by tall coniferous trees and areas of native species. I had a little break here to take it all in.

There's quite a lot to explore in this forest including huge reservoirs, but the Ulster Way route only takes you through the middle. I'd love to return to see it all! It felt pretty idyllic.

Hour 3 & 4 - 11.30am to 1.30pm

By the third hour I'd made it out the other side of the forest and was back on roads again for aaaages. This part was hard to navigate as there isn't any Ulster Way signs and the turns are impossible to know unless you use your phone. Again, pretty idyllic countryside but easy to take a couple of wrong turns (which I did).

There is part of the road where the hedges disappear and the views are incredible over the countryside. The foreground is rugged fields and old trees, with views stretching to Cave Hill, Belfast, over to Holywood and even the silhouette of the Mourne Mountains in the distance! This was pretty spectacular for being along a random country road.

Part of this section takes a back lane that had completely flooded, so I had to scale the side of hedges to make my way through while Max plodded through the huge puddles. Not ideal. Shortly after I made it back to civilisation reaching Three Mile Water; a nice park where you walk along the river until you reach houses and shops out the back of Monkstown.

Hour 5 - 1.30 to 2.30pm

The next stretch went through Monkstown Wood and Glen Park. Despite being so close to built up areas, the walk through here felt secluded - it was filled with wildlife! I saw chaffinches, coal tits and picked wild garlic. I really liked this area! On my way down to Whiteabbey I went under the Bleach Green viaduct. I wasn't expecting that kind of infrastructure here but it's pretty impressive.

A little further down through the park and I finally hit the sea! This was the moment I'd been waiting for all day! After miles along road and trees it felt so nice to be beside water. I walked along the sea edge, said hello to a cormorant basking in the sunshine, until I got past Hazelbank where I took my first proper sit down and finally ate some food.

By now I was feeling tired, hangry and my legs were on fire! But I was nearing the end and could smell the celebratory pint on the horizon.

Hour 6 - 2.45 to 4pm

From here was extremely tough. I won't complain too much, but the views were solely of the motorway for far too long, the path felt dodgy, then you head through an industrial estate where Max cut his paw on broken glass :( By now my positive spirit had gone, the rain had started and I could not wait for it to be over.

After navigating some junctions and busy roads, I eventually got to the City Quay area, followed the river and to the finish point at the Big Fish!

Overall, my review: 4/10

• the walk was really enjoyable through the gorgeous countryside and forest, then along the sea, up until you get to the outskirts of Belfast

• mostly road walking, some forest, some coastal, then finishing along the motorway & through industrial buildings

• I saw zero Ulster Way signs which was disappointing

• the sunshine kept my spirits high

• my hip flexors were in agony for days!

• the countryside around this area is beeeeautiful

• I would love to go back to Woodburn Forest to explore some more

• the last section really put a dampener on my experience

I had a feeling this section was going to be the most boring out of them all, but had to be done! I enjoyed it much more than I thought (allbeit until then end). But I still had a great day!

Happy out!