Hannah and Herbie ready for the road to the National Trust coastal walks in Northern Ireland (Image: Peter Sullivan) We have a stunning coasts, loughs and bays looked after by the National Trust in Northern Ireland, and dogs are welcome if they are on a lead and kept safe from livestock, ground nesting birds and other wildlife. Our favourite spots are the peaceful old carriage road hugging the coast from Donaghadee to Orlock in Co Down . Just imagine horse drawn carriages pushing through the stone arch and on in wind, rain, hail and sun.
And Killynether Wood in Newtownards overlooks Strangford Lough offering a fantastic nose to the ground sniffing experience for the dogs, it had a series of walks from the easy to the challenging. Orlock, Co Down Orlock Point Put ‘Orlock Point’ into Google Maps. Parking is off the Warren Rd at Donaghadee in the layby and you’ll see the wooden gate with the National Trust sign.
This walk meanders over fields and then on tight coastal paths that split and reconnect. There are two sheltered beaches and many rare wildflowers to check out. Take a picnic and enjoy the flat rocks but beware, the sea is deep at these points, Dogs on leads.
Start at Groomsport or Donaghadee. On the way you will spot the road to Lowry’s Wood. Lowry’s Wood The wood was planted in 2011/12 by National Trust staff, volunteers and local community groups, on what was formerly an intensively managed field.
It is named in memory of the man who left the farmland at Orl.