Little Ballymena is a region in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, characterized by its diverse natural landscapes that support a range of outdoor activities. The area features a varied topography, including volcanic formations like Slemish Mountain, rolling hills, and the dramatic basalt scarp of the Sallagh Braes. Lush glens, river valleys, and coastal stretches within the wider Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty provide varied environments for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, and mountain biking.
…45
Routes
4.4
(10)
Average rating
436
People visited

5.0
(2)
38
hikers
6.01km
01:36
70m
70m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

7.76km
02:00
40m
40m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

27
hikers
6.59km
01:45
70m
70m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

23
hikers
8.73km
02:20
100m
100m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

48.0km
03:20
650m
650m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
riders
62.5km
03:56
600m
600m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
riders
44.3km
02:45
340m
340m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
45.0km
02:41
250m
250m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

52
riders
54.7km
02:32
540m
540m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

29
riders
56.9km
02:22
260m
260m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

25
riders
40.0km
01:47
370m
370m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

16
riders
69.3km
03:00
430m
430m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4
riders
15.9km
01:21
220m
210m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
31.3km
02:23
370m
370m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

26.1km
01:54
290m
290m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
Little Ballymena offers diverse opportunities for outdoor activities. The region is suitable for Hiking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, and Mountain biking. These activities take place across varied landscapes, including volcanic formations, glens, and river valleys.
The Little Ballymena area features numerous hiking trails. Notable spots include Slemish Mountain, which has a 0.9-mile (1.5 km) circular trail to its summit, and Glenariff Forest Park, known for its river gorge walks and waterfalls. The Antrim Hills and Sallagh Braes also offer hiking opportunities. More information is available in the Hiking around Little Ballymena guide.
Yes, Little Ballymena offers easy hiking options. Ecos Nature Park features over 5 miles (8 km) of walking paths through woodlands and wetlands. Glenariff Forest Park also has accessible trails. For specific routes, consult the Easy hikes around Little Ballymena guide.
Family-friendly walks are available in the Little Ballymena region. Ecos Nature Park provides gentle paths suitable for families. Glenariff Forest Park also offers scenic river walks with boardwalks that are generally accessible. These areas provide a safe and engaging environment for all ages.
The Little Ballymena area provides various cycling routes. Ecos Nature Park offers scenic cycling paths. The wider region includes routes suitable for touring and road cycling, with some sections of National Cycle Routes 93 and 97 accessible. Explore options in the Cycling around Little Ballymena and Road Cycling Routes around Little Ballymena guides.
Yes, mountain biking trails are available in the Little Ballymena region. Glenariff Forest Park offers trails through ancient woodlands. The wider County Antrim region is recognized for diverse mountain biking terrain. The MTB Trails around Little Ballymena guide provides specific route information.
Key natural attractions include Slemish Mountain, an extinct volcano offering panoramic views. Glenariff Forest Park is known for its waterfalls and river gorges. The Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty features dramatic coastlines and deep glens. Ecos Nature Park provides woodlands, wetlands, and meadows.
Little Ballymena is a popular destination for outdoor activities on komoot. More than 3,000 visitors have shared their experiences in the area. Routes in Little Ballymena have an average rating of 4.52 out of 5 stars, indicating high user satisfaction.
Komoot offers several guides for the Little Ballymena region. These include Hiking around Little Ballymena, Easy hikes around Little Ballymena, Cycling around Little Ballymena, Road Cycling Routes around Little Ballymena, and MTB Trails around Little Ballymena.
For visitor information regarding the broader Ballymena area, contact the Ballymena Visitor Information Centre. The phone number is +44 (0)28 2563 5010. Additional tourism information is available through the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council website.
Challenging hikes are available in the Little Ballymena region. The ascent of Slemish Mountain, though short, involves a steep climb. The Sallagh Braes also offer moderately difficult walks with impressive coastal views. These routes provide more strenuous options for experienced hikers.
Panoramic views are available from the summit of Slemish Mountain, extending across the surrounding countryside and potentially to the Scottish coast on clear days. The Sallagh Braes also offer impressive coastal views. Glenariff Forest Park provides scenic vistas of waterfalls and river gorges.

