Quality Walk

Island Hill & North Strangford Nature Reserve

Accessible at low-tide, this walk around Rough Island provides magnificent views of Strangford Lough and is an excellent view point for bird watching.

County

Down

Distance

1.5 miles

OS Map

Sheet 21

Nearest Town

Comber, Newtownards

Route Shape

Circular

Route Type

Beach, Coastal

Terrain

Flat, grass and stoney paths

Grid Reference (Start)

J489689

Grid Reference (End)

J489689

Point of Interest

Wildfowl and magnificent Lough views, totem poll

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Strangford Lough

Route Description

Follow the path from the car park, along the concrete causeway (only accessible at low tide) and around Rough Island, before returning over the causeway. Explore the island itself!

Island Hill is situated at the upper end of Strangford Lough and has excellent views across the Lough and towards Scrabo Tower.

A good tide predictor website is Easytide (see link below). As Island Hill doesnt have its own tide location, use the Belfast low water time and then add 2hrs 15 minutes for Island Hill. So follow the link below, use the tables to locate the low water time for Belfast and add 2hrs 15mins. An example being if low water at Belfast is 14.48, for Island Hill low water would be at 17.03.

 

Getting to the Start (by Public Transport)

Translink - journeyplanner.translink.co.uk

Getting to the Start (by Car)

Turn off the A21 Comber to Newtownards Road towards the shore of the Lough. Follow the signposts to Island Hill Nature Reserve, continue along the Ringcreevy Road for approximately 1 mile.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed. Dogs should be kept on leads at all times

Accessibility Grade

Grade 5

Accessible Facilities

The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility:

Disabled toilets with RADAR key
Disabled parking

Facilities

Ample car parking, toilets and picnic tables

Publication

None

Publication Availability

n/a

Walk Location
Map of Northern Ireland
 
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