The best hiking routes in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland offers distinct walking terrains, from dramatic granite peaks to low-lying blanket bogs. If you prefer steep climbs and rocky paths, the Mourne AONB in the southeast provides defined ridges and stone walls underfoot, though it lacks the extreme altitudes of continental ranges. For a softer, more undulating landscape, the Sperrin AONB offers vast expanses of heather and peat, where the ground is often spongy and paths are less defined, requiring careful navigation.

Along the northern and eastern edges, the landscape changes to dramatic basalt cliffs and deep valleys. In the Antrim Coast & Glens AONB, walkers encounter steep coastal paths that drop into green glens, while Binevenagh AONB is characterised by prominent cliffs formed by ancient volcanic activity, visible as dark stone layers above the grassy slopes. Further south, the Strangford & Lecale AONB offers flat, low-lying coastal walks along sea loughs and sandy shores, where the tide dictates your route.

For those interested in peatland habitats, Cuilcagh Mountain Park features a constructed wooden boardwalk to protect the fragile blanket bog from footsteps, leading to a steep stepped climb up a limestone escarpment. In contrast, Slieve Beagh ASSI consists of quieter, trackless wet heath and blanket bog where you will walk directly on damp vegetation. These upland bog areas are particularly colourful in July, when common cottongrass covers the damp ground in white tufts.