Glenarm to Ballynure incorporating Antrim Hills Way
The Antrim Hills Way cuts a scenic route through the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It explores a high coastal plateau and encompasses some of the most enjoyable upland walking in County Antrim. Dramatic scenery, isolated hills and fantastic history are just some of the treats on offer.
| County | Distance | OS Map | Terrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antrim | 26 miles (43 km) | Sheet 9 | Mainly off road moorland paths interspersed with quiet rural roads and forest paths. Higher ground is very exposed and can be very soft under foot after a period of rain. |
| Start Town / Village | Finish Town / Village | Grid References | Points of Interest |
| Glenarm | Ballynure | Starts at D310152 Ends at J317936 | Glenarm, Glenarm Castle, Glenarm Forest, Scawt Hill, Linford, Sallagh Braes, Ballynure |
Getting to The Start
By Car
Glenarm is situated along the A2 coast road north of Larne.
By Public Transport
Glenarm can be accessed via Ulsterbus Service 162 from Larne. Larne is well serviced by bus from both Belfast and Antrim.
Glenarm is well serviced by the Antrim Coaster Bus Service 252 which runs from Belfast to Coleraine.
For timetable information please consult Translink website http://www.translink.co.uk/present/IndexOpSvc.asp#ULB
How to Walk the Route (Following a Clockwise Direction)
Please note there is currently no waymarking in place through Ballyboley Forest GR J317993 to GR J316970. It is hoped that the signage will be completed as soon as possible.
'No Dogs' signposts have been erected along significant sections of this route.
From the car park near the harbour in Glenarm, walk past St Patrick's Church, crossing the road over the Glenarm River. At a junction turn right into the village. Keep walking until you arrive at the entrance to Glenarm Forest, then take the Town Brae Road on the left. This road climbs steeply out of the village giving splendid views as you gain height. After one mile at a minor road junction turn right and continue on the road for another mile, still going uphill until you come to a stile on the left, now approximately an hour from the start. Follow marker posts up through fields and across several rocky hummocks. The trig point at the summit of Black Hill is reached about fifty minutes after crossing the stile at the minor road.
The route swings east across rough ground and then turns south over grassy undulations and keeps to the high ground near the eastern edge of this series of hills. Pass over Scawt Hill and savour the coastal views, which remain impressive throughout. A gradual descent and ascent then brings you to the summit of Ballycoos. The route now descends again, following the left side of a field to reach a minor road and car park in the townland of Linford, just over an hour from Black Hill.
From the car park, follow the route south over the shoulder of Robin Young's Hill. A series of stiles takes you over several stone walls taking you to the top of the Sallagh Braes cliff, a dramatic escarpment with spectacular views. Follow a fence around the lip of this heathery escarpment and then continue to use the waymarker posts which lead to a minor road. Turn left at the road and walk along it for about 100m and then turn right and follow a stone-walled lane for a short distance. This crosses open grassland to another minor road, (an hour and 20 minutes from Linford).
Turn right and walk along the road for 15 minutes, then cross a stile on the left and begin the climb towards Agnew’s Hill. The route skirts to the west of the summit and joins the ridgeline just south of the top. From this vantage point there is a spectacular view of Larne Lough and, on a good day, across to Scotland. The longer descent leads to an old droving road, then heads through the northern fringes of Ballyboley Forest to reach the A36 Larne-Ballymena road, an hour and a half from the base of Agnew’s Hill.
Cross the road and head southwest onto a forestry track. Follow the waymarks through several track junctions to emerge on a minor road at the southern eaves of the forest. Turn right and follow this minor road for about a mile to the next junction. Turn left here and then right at the next junction just over a mile further along. Now follow a minor road for one mile along the valley of the Six Mile Water before turning left at a junction and continuing downhill into the village of Ballynure, one and a half hours from Ballyboley Forest.
Facilities Along the Route
Refreshments are available at the start and finish of the route in Glenarm and Ballynure. However this is a long route with no refreshment stops along the way – walkers should carry provisions accordingly. There is also no accommodation along this section of the route but a small number of Bed and Breakfasts are available at the start in Glenarm and finish in Ballynure.
Linking to the Next Section
The next section is Link Section Ballynure - Belfast.
This is a Link section therefore walkers are actively encouraged to make use of the public transport links between Ballynure and Belfast.
The route between Ballynure and Whiteabbey is on a combination of quiet rural roads and forest tracks through Woodburn Forest. After Whiteabbey the route becomes more urban following National Cycle Network Route 93 through the docks to Belfast.
The route is not signposted on the ground.
For public transport information and walking directions check out Link Section Ballynure - Belfast.
