4.5
(64)
1,216
riders
102
rides
Touring cycling around Tullynagardy offers routes characterized by its proximity to Strangford Lough, providing a mix of loughside paths and rural roads. The terrain generally features gentle undulations with some moderate climbs, particularly around historical sites and nature reserves. The region boasts picturesque coastal paths that offer expansive views across Belfast Lough towards County Antrim. This area provides varied landscapes suitable for different cycling preferences.
Last updated: May 6, 2026
6
riders
136km
08:23
890m
890m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
6
riders
54.9km
03:17
340m
340m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

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1
riders
16.6km
01:07
170m
160m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
47.7km
03:26
310m
310m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
32
riders
33.4km
02:00
240m
240m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Burr Point marks the most easterly point on the island of Ireland. The spot is marked by a coastal sculpture by artist Ned Jackson Smyth. You can rest up in the sheltered cove which has a well-kept toilet and changing facilities close by.
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Carrowdore Castle Gate is one of the original 19th-century entrance lodges to the Carrowdore Castle estate in County Down. Built in a Gothic style, it features a castellated parapet and turret-like details that echo the look of the main house. Today it stands as one of the most distinctive remnants of the castle complex, marking the historic gateway to the estate.
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Nendrum Monastery was a Christian monastery founded in the 5th century. The monastery finished somewhere between 974 and 1178, but the church survived until the 15th century. You can visit the ruins if you're riding past.
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A pathway along the lake allows for closer inspection of the birds. For example, swans, mallards, little grebe, moorhens, and coots are usually present. There is an observation area to view the birds and other wildlife. Parking is available. In July 2000, Kiltonga Nature Reserve became the first site in the UK to be awarded BT Millennium Miles status.
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Helen's Bay Beach is one of two excellent beaches found in Crawfordsburn Country Park. These beautiful sandy beaches are by far the best within the Belfast area and as such are exceptionally popular and well used. Helen's Bay Beach is gently shelving and has excellent water quality making it ideal for bathing. The country park provides an excellent back drop to the beach, with wooded headlands, meadows, quality walks and good facilities. There are disabled toilets and disabled parking a short distance from the beach. A path suitable for wheelchair users leads from the car park to a path running adjacent to it. Nearby Crawfordsburn Country Park has a Cafe / Restaurant, Car Parking, Picnic Sites,Toilets, and a Visitor Centre.
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From Donaghadee visitors can enjoy spectacular views across the Irish Sea, where on a clear day you can see all the way to Scotland, only 20 miles away by sea. It was the province’s principle port before Belfast developed. The Harbour was built in 1820's to the design of John Rennie and is part built of limestone from Wales known as "Anglesea marble". On the harbour is Donaghadee's impressive lighthouse, which was built in 1836 and was the first lighthouse in Ireland to be lit by electricity. Sit and rest in the harbour with a bag of chips from Rainy's on the High Street ( on the hill as you roll in to town from Millisle ) Best fryers in the town. Perfect recovery after a long cycle, Irelands oldest Pub - Grace Neills, is only around the corner.
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Voted as one of the top ten gardens in the world, Mount Stewart reflects a rich tapestry of design and planting artistry bearing the hallmark of its creator. Edith, Lady Londonderry’s passion for bold planting schemes coupled with the mild climate of Strangford Lough allows rare and tender plants from across the globe to thrive in this celebrated garden. Each of the formal gardens exudes a distinct character and appeal. Mount Stewart is a delight for the senses with a series of formal themed garden compartments around the house including The Italian, Spanish, Mairi and Shamrock Garden.
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Ballydorn, or 'The Dorn' as it is locally known, is a beautiful and popular mooring ground with a short-stay pontoon attached to a permanently moored lightship called The LV Petrel that is now the Down Cruising Club headquarters. The LV Petrel was commissioned by the Commissioners of Irish Lights in 1913, and built by the Dublin Drydocks Company. This Lightship spent most of its previous working life at Blackwater Bank on the River Blackwater, Wexford. It was then sold in 1968 to Hammond Lane foundries in Dublin, before being saved to use as the cruise club HQ. The boat is registered as a national historic ship in the UK.
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There are over 110 touring cycling routes in the Tullynagardy area, offering a wide range of options for different skill levels and preferences. You'll find everything from easy, flat rides to more challenging routes with moderate climbs.
Yes, Tullynagardy offers a good selection of easy routes for beginners. There are 32 routes classified as easy, providing gentle terrain and enjoyable rides. A good example is the Helen's Tower loop from Conlig, which is shorter and has manageable elevation.
For experienced touring cyclists seeking a challenge, Tullynagardy has 17 difficult routes. The Whiterock Harbour – Sketrick Castle Ruins loop from Movilla is a longer route, spanning over 61 km with significant elevation gain, offering a more demanding ride through loughside villages and past historic sites.
Many of the touring cycling routes around Tullynagardy are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Examples include the Whiterock Harbour – Nendrum Monastic Site Ruins loop from Newtownards and the Kiltonga Nature Reserve Lake – Orangefield Park loop from Newtownards, which are both circular and offer diverse scenery.
While specific 'family-friendly' routes aren't explicitly tagged, many of the easy and moderate routes around Tullynagardy, particularly those along the loughside paths, can be suitable for families. Look for routes with less traffic and flatter sections, such as those around Kiltonga Nature Reserve, for a more relaxed family outing.
The touring cycling routes around Tullynagardy offer a rich blend of natural beauty and historical sites. You can explore places like the Kiltonga Nature Reserve Lake, the historic Helen's Tower, or the ancient Nendrum Monastic Site Ruins. Many routes also provide stunning views of Strangford Lough and its islands.
Yes, the proximity to Strangford Lough and various nature reserves makes Tullynagardy an excellent area for wildlife spotting. Keep an eye out for diverse birdlife, especially around wetlands like the Belfast Window on Wildlife (WOW) or the WWT Castle Espie Wetland Centre, which are accessible from some routes.
The spring and summer months (April to September) generally offer the most pleasant conditions for touring cycling in Tullynagardy, with milder weather and longer daylight hours. However, the loughside paths can be enjoyed year-round, with autumn providing beautiful foliage and winter offering crisp, quiet rides, though some routes might be exposed to wind.
Many routes around Tullynagardy pass through or near loughside villages and towns like Newtownards, Movilla, and Whiterock, where you can find cafes, pubs, and restaurants. The Strangford Lough Cycle Trail, for instance, connects several communities with amenities.
The touring cycling routes in Tullynagardy are highly regarded by the komoot community, boasting an average rating of 4.5 stars from over 70 reviews. Cyclists often praise the scenic loughside views, the mix of quiet rural roads, and the opportunities to explore historical sites and nature reserves.
Touring cycling routes in Tullynagardy vary significantly. Distances can range from shorter rides of around 8 km, like the Helen's Tower loop from Conlig, to longer excursions exceeding 60 km. Elevation gains are generally moderate, with many routes featuring gentle undulations, though some can include climbs of over 400 meters.
Parking is generally available in the towns and villages that serve as common starting points for routes, such as Newtownards, Movilla, and Whiterock. Many routes begin near public car parks, especially those close to popular attractions or lough access points. Always check local signage for parking regulations.


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