Archives for March 2013

The entrance to the forest and car park is signposted just south of Portglenone village and there is a good network of paths through the woodlands.Portglenone Forest is famous for its wonderful carpets of bluebells in May. The groundflora also … [Read more...]

Sallagh Braes, a prominent basalt scarp in the uplands to the west of Ballygally, can be accessed by following the Ulster Way footpath, which is signposted from Linford car park on the Feystown Road.There are a number of historical records for … [Read more...]

Portmuck is accessed via a steep, twisting road at the northern end of Islandmagee. There is a car park by the harbour. Access is not permitted to Muck Island, which is an Ulster Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve.A footpath at the harbour leads to a … [Read more...]

Access is via a footpath that follows the route of the former mineral railway line from the harbour at Carnlough up the hill to the site of the quarry.Cranny Falls includes a beautiful, secluded waterfall in a wooded valley and a disused … [Read more...]

Brown’s Bay, a sandy beach at the northern end of Islandmagee and the adjacent National Trust site at Skernahan are popular destinations, particularly in hot weather. There is good road access and car parking.The coastal strip around Skernahan, … [Read more...]

The dramatic coast road north of Larne is rightly famous for its dramatic cliffs of black basalt and white limestone and is also a great place to discover wildlife. There are car parks and stopping points along the route.The vegetation associated … [Read more...]

Carrickfergus Mill Ponds is three hectares of land which is an urban oasis for wildlife. The main features of the site are the two former mill ponds which form part of the rich and varied industrial heritage of Carrickfergus. The site also includes … [Read more...]

This Ulster Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve is situated by the Straidkilly Road, an inland route between Glenarm and Carnlough on the hill slope above the Coast Road. Informal paths provide a circular walk around the site, though the ground is uneven … [Read more...]

Driving along the main road from Ballymena to Coleraine, the route used by many holidaymakers heading for the north coast, the road at the Frosses is bounded by very distinctive rows of Scot’s pine trees. There is no lay-by but driving off the main … [Read more...]

Perhaps the best known landmark in mid Antrim is Slemish, a steep sided hill east of Broughshane. The route is signposted from Broughshane to the slopes of the hill, where there is a car park, picnic tables and interpretative information. From the … [Read more...]