Top 10 Historic Walking Areas in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

A short walk down the path reveals views of an otherwise inaccessible coastline. View this sculpture by Ralf Sander at just the right angle to discover "The Smuggler" otherwise he blends into the landscape. The Bloody Bridge is named after a gruesome massacre. During the O'Neill's rebellion of 1641, the bodies of slain prisoners were thrown over the bridge into the river, turning it red.

Posh, upscale neighborhood lined with glass and chrome buildings, cafes and wine bars.

The Ring of Gullion is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is home to the very popular Slieve Gullion Forest Park, as well as Derrymore Estate and Camlough Lake. The Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is a unique geological landform, unparalleled elsewhere in Ireland or the UK and was the first ring dyke in the world to be geologically mapped. It was voted onto the ‘Top 100 Geosites of UK & Ireland’. The ring of low, rugged hills forms a ‘rampart’ around the heather-clad Slieve Gullion mountain. Rich semi-wild habitats of heath, bog and woodland contrast with the neatly patterned fields and ladder farms. The AONB straddles the Northern Ireland border with the Republic of Ireland in south Armagh. The AONB shares many landscape characteristics with the adjacent Cooley peninsula in County Louth. Slieve Gullion’s mysterious reputation arises from its associations with legends and the wider area’s rich archaeological heritage. It was along these roads and fields, and over these hills and mountains, that Cúchulainn and the Red Branch Knights, the O’Neills and the O’Hanlons roamed, battled and died. You can read some of these stories about Fionn Mac Cumhaill, Cúchulainn and the Cailleach Beara in the Living History Section, but better still Experience Gullion at one of the many local pubs and storytelling houses or visit the Giant’s Lair at Slieve Gullion. The Ring of Gullion is alive with history, awash in scenic beauty and bursting with culture. You can Experience Gullion’s rich geology, biodiversity and archaeology very easily. Browse the Ring of Gullion site, and plan your trip; you can Experience Gullion with our self guided Audio Tours or you can choose a guide from our tour guides page to bring Gullion to life with their local knowledge. You can also use our Interactive Map to Experience Gullion before heading out. There are lots of ways to Experience Gullion and Get Involved through volunteering, events, training or simply taking a stroll along one of our many tranquil walkways. So get out there and experience all that the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has to offer.

Castle Ward will take you on a journey of discovery. The 18th-century eccentric house with two distinctly different styles, classical and Gothic, will entice you to explore further. This truly beautiful 332-hectare (820-acre) walled demesne, with walking trails, exotic garden, stunning vistas and picturesque farmyard, will unlock your imagination through family history, leisure pursuits, events and industrial heritage. A children's pastimes centre and laundry room are a short walk from the house in the stableyard, alongside a gift shop, second-hand bookshop and tea-room.

Romantic and tranquil landscape of islands, woodland and historical ruins Located on the shores of Upper Lough Erne, Crom is one of the most romantic and peaceful places in Northern Ireland. This 2,000 acre demesne is surrounded by tranquil islands and ancient woodlands. One of Ireland's most important conservation areas, Crom is home to a wealth of wildlife. Discover it whether you are fishing, woodland walking, butterfly spotting or bird watching. At Crom you can experience the surroundings from a unique perspective when you hire one of our boats. Leave the road behind, a whole new world awaits you. Stay a while longer in one of our holiday cottages or book into the campsite or award-winning glamping pods.