Northern Ireland was made for walking – from challenging summits to leisurely towpaths

The North offers a rich variety of hikes, from mountains to sea to everything scenic in between

The Sperrins

Helen Fairbairn

Whether you’re a leisure walker who prefers lowland strolls or are a seasoned hiker who bags several summits a week, there are beautiful routes aplenty in Northern Ireland to explore.

It’s the region’s landscape that ensures so much diversity. The coastline stretches to 539km (334 miles) long, and about 70pc of this has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.