May Walks Programme
To celebrate May as the National Month for walking,we have been working with a number of local walking clubs and walk providers to organise a range of different walking opportunities across the borough throughout the month of May.
Why not try one of our May Walks, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors that our borough has to offer. From town walks to heritage trails, and something a bit more challenging for those who like to venture beyond the towns footpaths, our walks on offer throughout the month of May have something for everyone.
Why not try one of our May Walks, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors that our borough has to offer. From town walks to heritage trails, and something a bit more challenging for those who like to venture beyond the towns footpaths, our walks on offer throughout the month of May have something for everyone.
Walking is one of the easiest ways to get active, lose weight and become both physically and mentally healthier. Our May Walks will give you the opportunity to feel all these benefits for yourself, while meeting and interacting with people in the process. Some people enjoy walking on their own, but many enjoy the company while walking. May Walks aims to signpost local people to existing walking groups and providers in our area.
Walk dates, routes and details are in the planning stages, and details woll be announced in the coming weeks.
Keep checking this page and details will be added as they are confirmed.
If you are part of a local walking group/club, and you would like to get involved in May Walks, then contact our Outdoor Recreation Team to find out how you can get involved:
Niall Curneen
E: niall.curneen@midandeastantrim.gov.uk T: 028 9335 8271
Lisa Kirkwood
E: lisa.kirkwood@midandeastantrim.gov.uk T: 028 9335 8278
Walk details:
1 May 2019 - Ballymena Walking for Health Group
10am at Tullyglass Hotel
Group: Contact Jo Higgins – M: 07749 041 540
Meet at Tullyglass Hotel at 10am for 10.30am walk
Improve your health and make new friends by participating in our short walks. All walks are led by our trained walk leaders and will last approximately 30mins – 90mins. Please note that dogs are not permitted on these walks. Please ensure appropriate footwear and clothing is worn.
1 May 2019 – NI Survival School
10am at Carnfunnock Visitor Centre
Contact: Paul Moore – M: 07980 656 291
Join NI Survival school on a guided walk around Carnfunnock to take a more in depth look at the seasonal plants and trees as well as how they can be foraged for food.
3 May 2019 – Carrickfergus Heritage Walk
Group: Carrickfergus Tours
Contact: George McGrand – M: 07850 695 479 or visit Carrickfergus Tours
Walk Details: Walk in the footsteps of Royalty, Knights, Soldiers even Highwaymen and Witches.
Our 1h30m walk will begin at the Castle Car Park beside the King William Statue, and will walk through the history of the town of Carrickfergus, visiting key sites on the way including Carrickfergus Castle, Carrickfergus Museum and Town Hall, The Churchill Tank and the Town Walls at Joymount and Shaftesbury Park, St Nicholas Church and finishing at Dobbins Hotel. A town steeped in history that is still visible today, our knowledgeable and enthusiastic walk leader George will talk you through the unfolding of these events over time. Our route will be flat and suitable for everyone. A small donation of appreciation will be welcomed from participants at the end of our tour.
6 May 2019 – Bluebell Festival
10am – 2pm at Portglenone Forest
There are various organised walks as part of the Bluebell Festival in Portglenone Forest. These include arborology, butterfly and heritage walks.
For more information contact: outdoorrecreation@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
7 May 2019
10.20am at Age Concern, Larne
Group – Walking for Health/Age Concern
Contact – Anne Harris
Guided walk along the Inver River, Larne. Improve your health and make new friends by participating in our short walks. All walks are led by our trained walk leaders and will last approximately 30mins – 90mins. Please note that dogs are not permitted on these walks. Please ensure appropriate footwear and clothing is worn.
10 May 2019 – Geology of Waterloo Bay
10am at Larne Leisure Centre
Guided by local geologist Ralph Semple, this walk will take your through the ages as you discover the amazing geology that is on display along the Larne Promenade and at the Waterloo Bay ASSI.
11 May 2019 – Woodburn Forest Walk
10am at Woodburn Presbyterian Church
Contact – Adrian.hack@sky.com
Walking is good for your physical and mental wellbeing. It’s even better for you if the surroundings are interesting. Woodburn Dam is a wonderful place to experience. It’s a beautiful setting and offers great views over part of Belfast Lough. The walk is long enough to get the heart rate up a bit, but short enough to be manageable by most people. As the route is mainly on gravel paths, please bring comfortable and reasonably supportive footwear.
Refreshments will be provided in the Church Hall after completing the walk.
14 May 2019 – Larne Promenade Walk
10.20am at Age Concern, Larne
Group – Walking for Health/Age Concern
Contact – Anne Harris
A guided walk along Larne Promenade. There will be a couple of alternative routes depending on ability. Improve your health and make new friends by participating in our short walks. All walks are led by our trained walk leaders and will last approximately 30mins – 90mins. Please note that dogs are not permitted on these walks. Please ensure appropriate footwear and clothing is worn.
16 May 2019 – Portglenone
10am at Portglenone Forest Car Park (note normal car parking charges apply)
Group: Portglenone Enterprise Group (PEG)
Contact: Kieran Adams – T: 028 2582 2060
Walk Details: Portglenone Forest – 16 May, 10am at Portglenone Forest Car Park (Carpark charge applicable)
A beautiful time of the year to see the famous bluebells in full colour, this walk along the forest paths will meander through the beautiful Portglenone Forest providing respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life under the cover of the forest canopy. Sturdy footwear is required although the 2-mile route will stay on the well-established forest paths. Please note that some sections of the route will have a steeper gradient of paths.
18 May 2019 – Sallagh Braes
10am at Glenravel Chapel Carpark
Group - Glenravel Ramblers
Contact – E: colm377@btinternet.com or call M: 07776 278 935
This walk will go from Mullaghsandal Road along the Antrim Hills Way Route to take in the breath taking views from Sallagh Braes. There is an option to meet the group in Glenarm or on Mullaghsandal Road. Please ensure suitable footwear and clothing for this walk, and allow for changeable weather conditions.
19 May 2019 – Glenariff Bluebell Walk
2pm at Glenarm Visitor Centre
Organiser – Seamus Milliken - E: seamusmilliken@yahoo.com
20 May 2019 – Glenarm Industrial Heritage Walk
7pm at Glenarm Visitor Centre
Organiser: Donald Bell - E: Donald.bell@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
A walking tour of the industrial past of Glenarm village, including the Old Limestone Quarry, Llayde Path, once the highest mill race in Ireland, Whiting Mill chimney, harbour and pier. This tour is led by local guide Ann Dunlop and assisted by Maureen McAuley. Light refreshments available after the walk. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing for walking on paths and quiet country roads on a summer evening.
Walking distance 3 miles.
24 May 2019 – Loughnatrosk Walk
10am at Carnlough Community Centre
Organiser: Seamus Milliken, E: seamusmilliken@yahoo.com
25 May 2019 – Slemish Walk
11am Slemish Carpark
Organiser: Lea Vaughan, E: lvaughan1978@gmail.com
The perfect opportunity to take in the wonderful sights from the top of Slemish mountain with this guided walk led by Lea Vaughan. Please ensure suitable footwear and clothing for this walk, and allow for changeable weather conditions.
26 May 2019 – Skawt Hill to Glenarm
2pm at Linford Barrows Carpark
Organiser – Donald Bell - E: belldonalduuj@hotmail.com - T: 028 9336 7078 - M: 07581 325 440
This walk follows a 10 km section of the Antrim Hills Way. The starting point is a public car-park beside the road at a pass between Robin Young’s Hill and Scawt Hill. This is a linear walk over the peaks of Scawt Hill 378m, Black Hill 381m and coming down beside Glenarm forest and Castle. Walking will be on open Mountain moorland with no paths and may be wet and boggy in places. Participants must come with proper mountain walking boots, suitable clothing for mountain walking, some snack type food and a hot or cold drink. Important points of interest on the walk include sea-views over to Alisa Craig and Scotland, scenic views over the impressive Antrim coastline below. It would be appreciated if several participants could volunteer to leave their cars in Glenarm, to bring members of the group back to the starting point. Camera and binoculars useful.
No. Places: Limited to 16 places
Restrictions: No dogs. Anyone with a medical condition should disclose this to the leader. Participants without adequate foot-wear and clothing will not be allowed to take part.
27 May 2019 – Carrickfergus Heritage Walk
10am at Carrickfergus Castle Car Park
Group: Carrickfergus Tours
Contact: George McGrand – M: 07850 695 479 - E: georgemcgrand@gmail.com
Our 1h 30m walk will begin at the Castle Car Park beside the King William Statue, and will walk through the history of the town of Carrickfergus, visiting key sites on the way including Carrickfergus Castle, Carrickfergus Museum and Town Hall, The Churchill Tank and the Town Walls at Joymount and Shaftesbury Park, St Nicholas Church and finishing at Dobbins Hotel. A town steeped in history that is still visible today, our knowledgeable and enthusiastic walk leader George will talk you through the unfolding of these events over time. Our route will be flat and suitable for everyone. A small donation of appreciation will be welcomed from participants at the end of our tour.
27 May 2019 - Ballymena Historic Walking Tour
11am – 1pm
Hear the story of the Seven Towers, tales of feudal lordships, of deals with the devil, the headless horseman, ancient monastic settlements and the 1798 Rebellion, along with the more recent history of this busy market town and popular shopping destination.
The tours cost only £10 per person.
Pre-booking is essential and can be booked on the Roots Revealed website.
29 May 2019 - Ballymena Walking for Health Group
10am at Cunningham Church Carpark, Cullybackey
Group: Contact Brian Smith
Improve your health and make new friends by participating in our short walks. All walks are led by our trained walk leaders and will last approximately 30mins – 90mins. Please note that dogs are not permitted on these walks. Please ensure appropriate footwear and clothing is worn.
Carnlough Industrial Heritage Walk
7pm at Carnlough Heritage Hub
Organiser: Mary Watson - E: Donald.bell@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Join Mary Watson at the Heritage Hub at Carnlough Town Hall on Wednesday 29 May at 7pm for a walk around the Village of Carnlough exploring its industrial past through the present. Tea/coffee and biscuits at the Hub after the walk.