- Mourne Coastal Route (Newcastle to Kilkeel): A spectacular road ride along the foot of the Mourne Mountains, hugging the Irish Sea with sweeping beaches, Dundrum Bay, and views of the high granite peaks, ideal for scenic road cycling.
- Mournes Cycle Loop (Newcastle via Spelga Dam): A classic challenging circuit climbing into the heart of the Mourne Mountains, passing Silent Valley and Spelga reservoirs on quiet mountain roads with steep gradients and breathtaking upland scenery.
- Strangford Lough Shore Route: A gentle, mostly flat loop around the southern and eastern shores of Strangford Lough, using quiet lanes past historic sites, castles, and wildlife-rich inlets, perfect for relaxed day rides.
- Comber Greenway: A flat, traffic-free path along a disused railway from Comber to east Belfast (largely in Down), offering family-friendly cycling through countryside with easy access to Strangford Lough trails.
- Castle Ward and Strangford Lough Trails: A network of estate paths and quiet roads around the National Trust’s Castle Ward, featuring lakeside views, woodland tracks, and connections to the lough shore, suitable for mixed terrain and family outings.
- Bangor to Donaghadee Coastal Path: A scenic seaside route combining dedicated cycle paths and quiet roads along the North Down coast, passing marinas, beaches, and charming harbours with gentle undulations.
- Ards Peninsula Loop (Portaferry to Greyabbey): A peaceful circuit around the Ards Peninsula, using minor roads with sea views on both sides, historic towers, and opportunities to take the Strangford Lough ferry for shorter variations.
- Shimna Valley and Tollymore Forest Park Loops: Forest tracks and riverside paths in Tollymore and nearby Castlewellan, offering shaded, traffic-free riding through ancient woodland, river gorges, and moderate climbs beneath the Mournes
Down offers a mix of historic sites and scenic landscapes, with Downpatrick’s Saint Patrick Centre and cathedral providing insights into Ireland’s patron saint. The Mourne Mountains offer hiking trails with sweeping views, while Strangford Lough provides kayaking and wildlife spotting. The historic Tollymore Forest Park adds natural beauty, making Down an inviting choice for history and outdoor adventures. Down is Ireland’s 12th largest county by size (2,447 square km) and fourth largest by population (553,261).
Down:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells –Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers
Cycling
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
