The best walks and hikes around Magheramully

Magheramully, nestled within the Antrim Coast & Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offers a diverse range of hiking experiences. You'll find everything from tranquil riverside paths along the Glenariff River to more challenging ascents like Slemish Mountain, an extinct volcano. The area also features scenic forest trails and quiet country lanes with views of the coastline.

Yes, Magheramully has several easy trails. For a gentle walk, consider the Devenagh Burn Riverbank loop from Ballymena, which is about 5.2 km and takes just over an hour. Another easy option is the River Braid loop from Broughshane, a 4.7 km path along the river.

The area around Magheramully is known for its picturesque water features. You can explore the beautiful Waterfall and Bridge on the Glenariff River, which is surrounded by lush greenery. The Glenariff Forest Park Scenic Trail also offers opportunities to experience the natural beauty of the Glenariff River and its cascades.

Yes, many of the trails around Magheramully are circular, allowing you to start and end at the same point. Popular options include the moderate Dungonnell Reservoir loop from Dungonnell Reservoir, which is 15.5 km, and the Glenariff Forest Park Scenic Trail, a 7.4 km loop. For a shorter, easier option, try the Devenagh Burn Riverbank loop from Ballymena.

For breathtaking panoramic views, consider hiking up Slemish Mountain. This extinct volcano offers expansive vistas of the surrounding Antrim landscape and even the Scottish coast on clear days. The View of Glenariff Valley loop from Dungonnell also provides excellent scenic overlooks of the valley.

While there are no trails officially rated as 'difficult' in this guide, the ascent of Slemish Mountain can be quite challenging due to its rocky and steep 180-meter climb over a 1.5 km circular trail. For a longer, moderate challenge, the Dungonnell Reservoir loop from Dungonnell Reservoir covers 15.5 km with significant elevation gain.

The hiking trails around Magheramully are highly regarded by the komoot community, with an average rating of 4.3 stars from over 9 reviews. Hikers often praise the diverse terrain, from tranquil river paths to scenic forest routes, and the rewarding views from higher elevations like Slemish Mountain.

Yes, the most significant landmark is Slemish Mountain, which holds historical importance as the place where St. Patrick is said to have found God. Beyond its historical context, it offers a unique geological feature as an extinct volcano and provides stunning views.

For a quieter walking experience, explore the Winding Roads Above Glenariff Forest. These peaceful country lanes offer delightful scenes across County Antrim, with glimpses of the coastline and the Irish Sea, and are generally less frequented than the main forest trails.

There are 6 distinct hiking routes detailed in this guide for the Magheramully area, offering a variety of distances and difficulty levels to suit different preferences.

Hiking durations vary significantly. Shorter, easy routes like the Devenagh Burn Riverbank loop can be completed in just over an hour. Longer, moderate trails such as the Dungonnell Reservoir loop or the View of Glenariff Valley loop can take over four hours to complete.