Ballygowan is a village in County Down, Northern Ireland, offering a blend of rural tranquility and diverse landscapes suitable for outdoor pursuits. The region's terrain features woodlands, gentle hills, and proximity to coastal paths, providing varied environments for activities. These natural settings make Ballygowan an appealing location for several sports like road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, and jogging. Its surroundings are characterized by scenic views and accessible routes for exploring the countryside.
Ballygowan provides numerous…
52
Routes
4.3
(5)
Average rating
464
People visited

35
hikers
8.72km
02:20
100m
100m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
37
hikers
9.49km
02:25
30m
30m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
hikers
8.29km
02:16
130m
130m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
hikers
11.2km
03:07
210m
210m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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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.

23
riders
82.7km
03:57
860m
860m
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.
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20
runners
6.56km
00:42
110m
110m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
runners
14.0km
01:41
270m
270m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
16.9km
01:46
150m
150m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
runners
3.10km
00:20
50m
50m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
9
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
90.5km
05:28
760m
750m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
78.7km
04:58
870m
870m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
3
riders
28.0km
01:40
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Ballygowan offers a range of outdoor activities including road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, and jogging. The diverse landscape features woodlands, gentle hills, and coastal paths suitable for various pursuits.
Ballygowan provides various road cycling routes, with options like the 'Steady Sunday Ride In Newtownards' and a '100km loop' being popular. More detailed routes can be found in the Road Cycling Routes around Ballygowan guide.
Yes, Ballygowan offers numerous hiking trails. Popular options include the Killynether Wood and Scrabo Tower loop, and the Rough Island loop near Strangford Lough. Hillsborough Forest Park also provides extensive walking paths, and a guide for Hiking around Ballygowan is available.
Ballygowan features trails suitable for various fitness levels, including easier options. The upcoming 'Play and Explore Park' will include a 1km walking path. For more choices, consult the Easy hikes around Ballygowan guide.
Ballygowan serves as a base for touring cyclists, with routes highlighted by the komoot community. There is a vision to extend the Comber Greenway to Ballygowan, which would create a significant network for cycling. A guide for Cycling around Ballygowan offers specific routes.
Jogging enthusiasts can explore routes such as the Woodburn Forest loop and countryside roads. The 'Play and Explore Park' in Ballygowan will also feature a 1km running path. A guide for Running Trails around Ballygowan provides more options.
Routes near Ballygowan offer views of Strangford Lough and woodlands like Killynether Wood and Hillsborough Forest Park. The historic Scrabo Tower provides expansive views, and the pristine Killylane Reservoir is also accessible. The Mourne Mountains are within reach for more distant vistas.
Ballygowan is a popular destination for outdoor activities on komoot, with more than 1,000 visitors having shared their experiences. Routes in the area have an average rating of 4.52 out of 5 stars.
Yes, komoot offers several guides for Ballygowan. These include Road Cycling Routes around Ballygowan, Hiking around Ballygowan, Cycling around Ballygowan, and Running Trails around Ballygowan.
While there is no dedicated official website specifically for Ballygowan, information can be found through the Ards and North Down Borough Council tourism website. For general inquiries, the Ards and North Down Borough Council can be contacted at 0300 013 3333.
The terrain for cycling in Ballygowan is varied, encompassing countryside roads and potential greenway extensions. Routes can feature gentle hills and offer diverse environments for both road and touring cyclists.
Yes, Ballygowan is a starting point for longer cycling routes, such as a '100km loop' highlighted by the komoot community. The proposed extension of the Comber Greenway could also create a significant 50-mile (80 km) network.
Routes in Ballygowan generally feature gentle elevation changes, making them accessible for various fitness levels. Some areas, particularly those closer to the Mourne Mountains, may offer more challenging terrain for experienced cyclists and hikers.

