Groomsport to Strangford
Link Section linking Quality Section - North Down Coastal Path to Quality Section – Lecale Way; following the eastern coast along the Ards Peninsula before cutting across to Portaferry on the shores of Strangford Lough. There is a regular ferry service between Portaferry and Strangford.
The route mainly follows the busy A2 coast road with intermittent sections on quite rural roads and coastal paths. There are some opportunities to walk along beaches.
There are transport links between these Quality Sections.
| County | Distance | OS Map | Terrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down | 30 miles (49 km) | Sheets 15 & 21 | Mainly tarmac roads and footpaths alongside roads. |
| Start Town / Village | Finish Town / Village | Grid References | Points of Interest |
| Groomsport | Strangford | Starts at J538833 Ends at J589497 | Not applicable |
How to Walk the Route (Following a Clockwise Direction)
For those walkers determined to complete of full circuit of Northern Ireland then accurate maps of this Link section are available to download.
When walking on road sections please observe the Highway Code and it is advised to wear high visibility clothing.
From Groomsport follow the A2 towards Donaghadee briefly diverting onto the National Trust coastal path round Orlock Point. Follow the A2 along the coast through Donaghadee, Millisle, Ballywalter, Ballyhalbert, Portavogie and Cloughy.
Approximately 15 minutes southwest of Cloughy brings an end to the busy A2 road. Turn off at Nun’s Bridge to journey westwards along a series of rural roads past Lough Cowey until reaching the shore of Strangford Lough. Continue south along the shore to Portaferry where the regular ferry will bring you across to Strangford and the start of the Quality Section - Lecale Way .
Linking to the Next Section
To travel onwards between Groomsport and Strangford take Ulsterbus Service 3 to Bangor followed by Ulsterbus Service 6 to Newtownards and then Ulsterbus Service 10 to Portaferry.
This service is available Monday – Saturday with a limited service on Sunday.
To check travel times click on Translink NI Journey Planner http://www.translink.co.uk/jp/jpclient.exe?NewQuery=NewQuery. Or to check the timetables click here http://www.translink.co.uk/present/IndexOpSvc.asp#ULB.
The short ferry crossing operates between Strangford and Portaferry.
The ferry departs from Portaferry on the quarter past and quarter to the hour.
The ferry departs from Strangford on the hour and on the half hour.
http://www.roadsni.gov.uk/index/strangfordferry.htm
Contact Translink Direct on:
Telephone 028 9066 6630
Website www.translink.co.uk
Textphone 028 9038 7505 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)
Email feedback@translink.co.uk
