Outdoors, Nature & Wildlife

Right across Northern Ireland, from the Mountains of Mourne to the Fermanagh Lakelands, the Causeway Coast to the Glens of Antrim, and even amongst the streets and lanes of Belfast, you’ll find plenty of places to feel the sun and the wind on your face, and get as close to our abundant wildlife as you dare. Let’s go! 

Life’s a beach in Northern Ireland 

Everyone loves a good beach. Like a natural outdoor activity centre, they offer sun, sea, sand and surf all in the one place, for everyone. Fortunately Northern Ireland is coming down with awesome sandy beaches that stretch like a necklace all around the coast. The Causeway Coast has almost too many to choose from: Portstewart (the granddaddy of them all), Benone, Castlerock, Whiterocks, Whitepark Bay, Portballintrae, Ballycastle, Carnlough and more. So why not visit them all, one by one, and take in the other sights as you go? 

Bring your sunshades, buckets and spades along to County Down in the east and you’ll find the extensive sandy beach at Newcastle. It’s right in front of the town itself, and not far away are Tyrella and Murlough beaches. Owned by the National Trust, the 6,000 year old sand dune system that makes up Murlough National Nature Reserve near Newcastle is one of the most extensive examples of dune heath within Northern Ireland and is an excellent spot for birdwatching. Managed as Ireland’s first nature reserve since 1967, the site is also of international importance for wintering wildfowl and waders as well as a haul-out for common and grey seals. As you walk the Dundrum Coastal Path see if you can spot herons, egrets and oystercatchers who enjoy the rich abundance of foodstuffs on the mudflats or even the foxes or stoats that reside on the reserve.

Forest and Country parks 

If the coasts are lined with sandy beaches, inland you’ll find forest parks almost everywhere you go. Many of them are part of country and National Trust estates. Alongside their carefully managed wildernesses with trees as far as the eyes can see, you’ll often discover magnificent architectural gems with intriguing histories, tasty tea rooms and activities to keep everyone entertained. 

County Fermanagh has some of the most impressive of these forest parks, including Crom Estate and Lough Navar Forest. The Florence Court Forest Park is surrounded by lush parkland and thick woodland with Benaughlin mountain rising in the background. Outdoors take a gentle walk or long cycle along 10 miles of trails and see fascinating industrial heritage features, including the water-powered sawmill and blacksmith's forge. The park’s gardens are home to the mother of all Irish yew trees, as well as the kitchen garden which is being restored to its 1930s character.  

An important conservation site on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, at Crom Estate you can explore the 2,000-acre 19th century demesne and try to spot the wild deer, pine martens, red squirrels and other rare species that live there. Gaze in wonder at the almost 400-year-old yew trees near the old castle ruins, enjoy unrivalled views of Derrymacrow Lough from the bird hide and, keep your eyes peeled for Fermanagh’s unique blue-eyed grass – while it’s the national flower of Bermuda, it’s found locally in only a few sites around Lough Erne.

In County Londonderry, enjoy a fun day out at Creggan Country Park, a 100-acre site hosting three freshwater lakes, woodland, hedgerow and an activity centre. Just a five-minute drive from the centre of Derry~Londonderry, watch spring unfurl as you catch fish at its put and take rainbow trout fishery, explore natural habitats and get up close to wildlife at its Forest Academy.

Just ten minutes from Derry~Londonderry and one hour from Belfast, Faughan Valley is home to a collection of enchanting oak trees, so rare these habitats cover less than 0.1% of Northern Ireland. The city of Derry~Londonderry’s Irish name, Doire, means Oak-Grove.  The Woodland Trust has bought up small clusters of native woodlands in this valley including Brackfield, Oaks, Red Brae, Burntollet and Killaloo with the aim of connecting them. New walking trails have been developed to help showcase the unique flora and fauna of this breathtaking landscape.

Keep your eyes peeled in County Armagh as you trek the trails of Northern Ireland’s first designated conservation forest on the outskirts of Markethill — you never know when you might encounter any of the red deer, red squirrels and other rare breeds that call it home. Admire the wide variety of conifer and broadleaf tree species in Gosford Forest Park and take a stroll along walkways adorned with flowering shrubs and plants. There are also a number of kids’ play zones with zip-lines and ropes courses and for Game of Thrones® fans, Gosford Castle is a must-visit as it was a filming location in season three.

Exploring the underworld – caves 

Ely Lodge Forest is part of the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark, recognised by UNESCO as an area of exceptional landscape, flora and fauna. Here you can leave that above-ground landscape behind, descending instead into a world of echoing chambers,  subterranean rivers, twisting and turning passages, silent pools, stalactites and water-hewn limestone formations. Explore this remarkable system on foot, by boat and by torchlight on one of the many guided tours. 

Back towards the urban jungle – Belfast and Cave Hill 

There’s a cave of a completely different variety just outside Belfast – Cave Hill Country Park. Not only is this a wonderful haven for nature and wildlife just outside the city, but it offers an extraordinary panoramic view too. Named after the series of five, shallow caves on its cliff face, you’ll find a lot more to do here than walking up to admire that famous view. There’s an adventure playground and outdoor activity centre, archaeological sites, a visitor centre and café, gardens, and an eco-trail across the flanks of the hill. No visit here is complete without spending some time atop Napoleon’s Nose, a jagged rocky outcrop from where the landmarks of the city below can be picked out one by one. 

Botanical Belfast 

There are more mannered forms of nature to be found within the city limits, at the Botanic Gardens. A wonder of Victorian design and planning, the Botanic Gardens were established in 1828 by the Belfast Botanic and Horticultural Society. Today not only is it one of the city’s most popular meeting and strolling places, it’s also home to an extraordinary collection of exotic and tropical plants housed within its iron and glass Palm House and Tropical Ravine. 

Wing it to Belfast Lough for wildlife 

Offering panoramic views of Belfast Lough, as well as the birds and wildlife that call this RSPB nature reserve home,Belfast's Window on Wildlife (Belfast WOW) certainly lives up to its name. Situated in the heart of the bustling Belfast Harbour Estate, there are hundreds of species to be observed. You’ll find Lapwings and Terns and even Konik Ponies that graze the land. Two hides, which have been specially constructed from shipping containers to blend in with the harbour’s industrial landscape, offer different perspectives on the reserve which is also set to welcome the returning Sand Martins from the start of March.

Into the heart of the country and stargaze in County Tyrone

Away from it all, yet at the heart of it all, are the glorious Sperrins. Mile after mile of seemingly untouched rolling hills, shallow valleys and mountains. The skies here seem to go on forever, and so do the many walking, cycling and horse-riding trails that criss-cross the tens of thousands of open acres here. 

Barnes Gap, Gortin Glen, Owenkillew and Glenelly are just some of the landmark hills and valleys here, but there are also places seemingly untouched by human-hand to be discovered here. There are marked trails for walkers and cyclists of all abilities here, and even the drive around the Sperrins has been dubbed one of the Top 101 Scenic Drives in the World by none-other than National Geographic. 

Northern Ireland’s only international Dark Sky Park, OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, is found in Davagh Forest. Its Stars and Stones experience offers a unique glimpse at the night sky and a fascinating exploration of the seven mystical circles, 10 rows of stones and 12 cairns that make up the Beaghmore Stone Circles. Enjoy a new 3.4km ‘Solar Walk’ and gain a better understanding of the link between what can be seen in the skies and the arrangements on the ground at Beaghmore. While exploring Davagh Forest’s many wonderful walks, keep your eyes peeled for the impressive Sika deer that call the forest home.

Marvel at the Red Kites in County Down

Marvel at the amazing wildlife, flora and fauna in raptor heaven along South Down’s countryside and coastline with Red Kite Tours NI. Led by founder Shelagh Henry from her base in Rathfriland, these unforgettable tours are perfect for experienced bird watchers and budding ornithologists alike. Spot the majestic Red Kites soaring against the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains, discover otters and seals along the Irish Sea’s coastline and keep your eyes peeled for rare wildlife and wildflowers among the dunes and heathlands. 

Spot the birdlife at Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre, County Antrim

Just six miles off the Causeway Coast lies Rathlin Island. Before arriving by ferry from Ballycastle, be on the lookout for gannets, gulls and dolphins and brace yourself for a welcome from the thousands of birds that raise their chicks and cling to the island’s dramatic cliff edges. If you’ve always talked about seeing the puffins, now’s your chance as Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre, which is located at Rathlin’s famous ‘upside down’ lighthouse reopens at Easter - just in time for the highly anticipated return of these adorable seabirds.

We’ve only scratched the surface of the great outdoors in Northern Ireland. Whatever you’re into, you could spend months and years wandering our mountains, coasts, valleys, lakes, rivers, cities and towns and still feel you’ve got so much left to see and do here.