Ballygowan is a region in County Down, Northern Ireland, characterized by a diverse landscape ideal for outdoor pursuits. Situated near Belfast and east of Strangford Lough, the area features a mix of coastal scenery, woodlands, and gentle hills. This varied terrain supports several sports like touring cycling, hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, and more, catering to different fitness levels and interests.
For those seeking things to do in Ballygowan, the region offers numerous routes across…
58
Routes
4.6
(85)
Average rating
1336
People visited

4.8
(6)
33
hikers
15.4km
05:26
780m
780m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.6
(26)
113
hikers
12.0km
04:16
610m
610m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.9
(15)
79
hikers
7.29km
01:56
70m
70m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
39
hikers
2.58km
00:46
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
58
riders
54.2km
03:41
760m
760m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
riders
25.3km
01:29
70m
70m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

29.2km
01:55
350m
350m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

30.2km
01:51
260m
260m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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22.9km
02:48
870m
870m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.8
(13)
254
riders
31.1km
03:13
840m
840m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

69
riders
15.1km
01:35
450m
450m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

18
riders
9.61km
01:10
370m
370m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.3
(3)
64
riders
68.9km
03:01
650m
650m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

60
riders
65.8km
02:35
240m
240m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(2)
50
riders
53.1km
02:10
280m
280m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

38
riders
63.1km
02:32
310m
310m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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59
runners
19.7km
02:02
80m
80m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

29
runners
6.03km
00:41
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
runners
5.25km
00:33
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
runners
5.37km
00:34
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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16
riders
25.4km
02:04
630m
630m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
19.2km
01:49
480m
480m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
riders
26.8km
01:39
360m
360m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
17.6km
01:35
520m
520m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Ballygowan offers a diverse landscape suitable for various outdoor activities. These include Touring cycling, Hiking, Mountain biking, Road cycling, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region's varied terrain caters to different fitness levels and interests.
Yes, Ballygowan provides diverse hiking opportunities, from coastal paths along Strangford Lough to trails through dense woodlands and gentle hills. Popular spots include Killynether Wood and the ascent to Scrabo Tower. More details can be found in the Hiking around Ballygowan guide.
Ballygowan offers routes for touring, road, mountain, and gravel cycling. Options range from the traffic-free Comber Greenway to more challenging routes with significant climbs and descents. Explore specific routes in the Cycling around Ballygowan guide.
Yes, Ballygowan features several family-friendly options. The Comber Greenway is a traffic-free path suitable for both walking and cycling, showcasing natural scenery. Orangefield Park also offers hard tarmac paths ideal for leisurely activities.
Key natural features include the expansive Strangford Lough, offering coastal scenery and birdwatching opportunities. Scrabo Tower provides panoramic views, and the Comber Greenway showcases local wildflowers and meadows. Dense woodlands and gentle hills characterize much of the region.
Yes, mountain bikers can find well-signposted trails through dense forests in the Ballygowan area. Some routes offer technical sections for experienced riders, with views of the surrounding landscape. The MTB Trails around Ballygowan guide provides further information.
Ballygowan is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 7,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes in the region have an average rating of 4.65 out of 5 stars, based on over 550 ratings.
Ballygowan offers easy hiking trails suitable for beginners, including gentle strolls and paths with minimal elevation gain. The Rough Island loop is an example of an accessible route. Consult the Easy hikes around Ballygowan guide for more options.
Komoot offers several guides for Ballygowan, covering various sports. These include Cycling around Ballygowan, Hiking around Ballygowan, MTB Trails around Ballygowan, and Road Cycling Routes around Ballygowan, among others.
Official tourism information for Ballygowan and the surrounding areas is available through Visit Ards and North Down. Their official website is https://www.visitardsandnorthdown.com/. For general inquiries, the Ards and North Down Borough Council can be reached at 0300 013 3333.
Yes, Ballygowan features numerous road cycling routes, primarily on paved surfaces with varying elevation gains. Routes range from easier rides to more challenging options requiring good fitness. The Road Cycling Routes around Ballygowan guide provides detailed information.
The Comber Greenway is a traffic-free path connecting Belfast city center with Comber, passing through the Ballygowan area. It is suitable for both walking and cycling, offering views of wildflowers, trees, meadows, and grasslands.

