STRAIDKILLY TRAIL
STRAIDKILLY TRAIL
An already-popular walk with residents of nearby Glenarm and Carnlough, there have been a few improvements made recently to this trail, making it a great little pit-stop on your way up the Antrim coast.
So with the return of the Autumn sun - for a day at least - we checked in with our friends at #MEAdventures HQ, got some trail info and headed off for a leafy dander.
And yes, Max wanted to come too.
Remember: Dogs on leads! This trail is only a short distance from a main road; plus you don’t know what other animals (or humans) are ahead of you. (It’s hard to see in some shots here, but ‘ol Max is always on an extending lead.)
HOW TO GET THERE
Straidkilly is just 5 minutes north of Glenarm village.
From Belfast, it’ll take about 45 minutes if you head inland via Kilwaughter. If you opt for the coastal drive via Carrickfergus/Larne, it’s about an hour.
Try do what we did though - take one route there and the other back, so you can take in more locations along the way.
Same applies if you’re coming from north of Glenarm.
STRAIDKILLY TRAIL
Keep an eye out for the signposts - there are two entrances to the trail, both on the main Straidkilly Road.
There are a number of lay-bys to park your car - just take care when crossing the road.
It also doesn’t matter which entrance you take - the trail will bring you in a loop, just a short distance from where you started on the main road.
Once on the trail, there are more route markers to keep you right - make sure you have a read for what to look out for along the way.
Other than that, simply take your time and enjoy the meander!
It’s about three-quarters of a mile in total.
DON’T FORGET!
Bring appropriate footwear! There are a few short, gentle, hilly sections and the path is all natural - so trainers with a decent grip, at least.
As it’s also quite a short walk, you won’t need to stock up on supplies beforehand. Go check out Glenarm or Carnlough before/after - lots of nice places for food and drink there. We grabbed a sandwich and coffee afterwards at the very picturesque Glenarm Castle Walled Garden & Tea Rooms.
(A few pics below from their website. Max was getting lots of attention in the outside eating area - we forgot to grab our own snaps!)
Here’s a handy map of the Straidkilly Trail, thanks to the Ulster Wildlife Trust (the trail was funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund under the Heart of the Glens Landscape Patnership Scheme, but it’s UWT that look after the nearby Nature Reserve).
AND last, if you’re heading, don’t forget to tag #NIEXPLORER and #MEAdventures (Mid East Antrim adventures) in your pics on social :)
NEXT STOP!
This short walk was just a pit stop on our way to our main destination for the day. With the Autumn sun sticking around a while longer, we had hopes of catching it setting from one of the best locations on this side of Northern Ireland.
Heads up. It was amazing.
SLEMISH
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