Northern Ireland’s Favourite Walking Destinations have been officially named in the 2018 WalkNI Awards.
The Mourne Mountains and Causeway Coast & Glens stole the show in the 2018 WalkNI Awards as they picked up a host of accolades, including ‘Favourite Walking Destination of 2018’ and ‘Favourite Place to walk your dog’.
Highlighting the very best of walking in Northern Ireland, the WalkNI Awards allow the public to vote for their favourite walking destinations across the country. Featuring some new categories this year including ‘Favourite place to walk your dog’ and ‘Favourite place to watch a sunrise/sunset’, the Awards proved more popular than ever, with over 1,700 votes cast via WalkNI.com. We highly recommend adding these walks and locations to your must explore bucket list for 2019.
‘Favourite Walking Destination’
The Mourne Mountains won the coveted title of the nations ‘Favourite Walking Destination’ in this years Awards. From summit views to rambles around the foothills and lowland forests, it is unsuprising as to why this location came out on top. Explore this area for yourself by checking out our Walker’s Guide to the Mournes.
‘Favourite Place to watch a sunrise/sunset’
This new category in this year’s awards was competitively fought by some of our favourite photographers in Northern Ireland. ‘Golden Hour’ in the Mourne Mountains was voted walkers favourite location and beautifully captured by Hibernia Landscapes.
‘Best Charity Walk of 2018’
Voted ‘Best Charity Walk of 2018’ in this new category, Cancer Focus Moonlit Walk’s came out ontop. These Moonlit walks which reward walkers with spectacular panoramic views of the twinkling street lights of Newcastle Co. Down and Belfast, Co. Antrim from the top of Slieve Donard and Cave Hill in North Belfast. Check out the Cancer Focus NI Facebook page for details of their next Moonlit walk.
‘Favourite Walking Festival / Event’
The Mourne International Walking Festival held onto their title of ‘Favourite Walking Festival / Event’ in this year’s awards. Taking place annually in the Mourne Mountains this festival is an unmissible date in hillwalkers diaries both nationally and internationally. Offering walkers a range of fantastic walks and a lively social scene its easy to see why this walking festival is so popular. Keep up to date with this and other walking festivals on WalkNI.
‘Favourite Place to walk on the Causeway Coast’
White Park Bay came out on top in this hotly contested category. This spectacular sandy beach under the care of the National Trust forms a white arc between two headlands on the Causeway Coast. It’s secluded location means that even on a busy day you can find a place to enjoy one of the most natural coastlines in Northern Ireland. A great walk the whole family can enjoy, this locaion is fossil rich with archaeolical evidence everywhere.
‘Favourite Summit in the Mournes’
Slieve Donard Northern Ireland’s highest mountain was awarded the title of walkers ‘Favourite Summit in the Mournes’. There are a number of ways you can reach the summit of Donard. Check out the Slieve Donard via The Glen River Trail or Slieve Donard via Bloody Bridge Trail.
‘Favourite Walker Friendly Coffee Shop’
Where better to stop after a busy day of exploring the Mourne Mountains than Meelmore Lodge Café?! The ideal start and finish point, Meelmore Lodge offers a large car park, camping area and tempting menu of warm drinks and delicious food options.
‘Favourite Nature Reserve’
A firm favourite with walkers Murlough National Nature Reserve has once again claimed the title of ‘Favourite Nature Reserve’ in Northern Ireland. This fragile 6000 year old sand dune system owned by the National Trust was Ireland’s first Nature Reserve. This location boasts an extensive range of habitats to discover including linen-rich hollows, gorse and bracken scrub, and woodland.
‘Favourite Place to walk your dog’
In another competitive new category in the 2018 awards, dog walkers voted Benone Strand as their favourite location to walk with their dog. Forming one of Ireland’s longest beaches this location affords spectacular views along the North Coast, to Inishowen in Donegal and to Scotland. Please note seasonal dog free zones.
‘Favourite Family Friendly Walk’
The Giant’s Lair woodland walk explores Hawthorn Hill Nature Reserve within Slieve Gullion Forest Park. On this trail inspired by legend and mythical folklore, a magical living storybook is brought to life through a trail of intertwined fairy houses and arts features creating a childhood land with dragons, giants and fairies.
Visit WalkNI.com for more information on walking routes throughout Northern Ireland including the winning trails, upcoming walking festivals, events and downloadable walk guides.
