Island Hill & North Strangford Nature Reserve
Accessible at low-tide, this walk around Rough Island provides magnificent views of Strangford Lough and is an excellent view point for bird watching.
County Down
Distance 0.7 miles
OS Map Sheet 21
Terrain Flat, grass and stoney paths
Nearest Town Comber, Newtownards
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference J489689
Route Type Beach, Coastal
Follow the path from the car park, along the concrete causeway (only accessible at low tide) and around Rough Island, before returning over the causeway. Explore the island itself!
Island Hill is situated at the upper end of Strangford Lough and has excellent views across the Lough and towards Scrabo Tower.
A good tide predictor website is Easytide (see link below). As Island Hill doesnt have its own tide location, use the Belfast low water time and then add 2hrs 15 minutes for Island Hill. So follow the link below, use the tables to locate the low water time for Belfast and add 2hrs 15mins. An example being if low water at Belfast is 14.48, for Island Hill low water would be at 17.03.
Grade 5
- There may not be a formalised path, and variable, single file trails are to be expected.
- Gradients and cross slope could be expected to be steep and not limited.
- Obstacles and surface breaks of greater than 75mm measured across the line of the path to be expected.
- Overhanging branches are possible. Passing places and rest areas may not be formalised or provided.
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Walk Route
Island Hill & North Strangford Nature Reserve
Lovely quiet and peaceful. There is two seats one facing ards and one facing the otherside. Plenty of places to sit if you have healthy knees.