Straidkilly
Mainly a hazel woodland walk, with areas of grassy clearings full of meadow flowers, best seen in spring when woodland flower species are in bloom.
County Antrim
Distance 0.5 miles
OS Map Sheet 9
Terrain Hill walk; basic paths
Nearest Town Glenarm
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference D302165
Route Type Hill, Woodland
From the road entrance follow the waymarkers around the nature reserve through the woodland and through grassy open areas. The walk finishes with a short section on road.
Wildflowers, birds, butterflies and red squirrels
The reserve is midway between Glenarm and Carnlough. There are two access points to the nature reserve along the Straidkilly Road, which is signposted off the A2 Coast Road South of Carnlough or off the B97 Glenarm – Ballymena Road on the outskirts of Glenarm Village.
Parking at roadside, or layby close to reserve. Toilet facilities and refreshments are available in the nearby village of Glenarm.
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
Straidkilly
Lovely little Nature Reserve and Woodland walk along the hills above Glenarm Village. Lots of muddy and leafy trails weaving in and out among the hills and it even has a lovely picnic area with views of Carnlough and the County Antrim coastline as well. And it is another great area to spot the iconic little Red Squirrels from the Glenarm area.
We like to park beside the Karina so this extends a short walk by, at an estimated, 1.5 miles. From the marina head towards the high spire of At. Patrick’s church and beyond it cross the road to Straikilly road where there is footpath most of the way to the reserve entrance. The path is well marked and you travel in a clockwise direction following the upper extremes of the paths which beyond a point are way marked only in one direction. The paths are generally quite dry and muddy areas can usually be circumnavigated. Parts are quite steep and there are a few steps before descending back to the road. From here it’s slightly more than a mile back to the marina. On the return journey, refreshments are available at the castle tea rooms or in the village.
Lovely place to visit especially when I grew up in that area, has been fixed up more but I enjoy a visit.