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
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
Links
