Ards is a region in Northern Ireland, primarily encompassing the Ards Peninsula, which is characterized by its unique geographical position between the tranquil Strangford Lough to the west and the Irish Sea to the east. This diverse landscape offers over 100 miles of varied coastline, ranging from sandy beaches to rugged shores, alongside inland woodlands and open countryside. The area provides a suitable setting for several sports like road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, and jogging.
35
Routes
3
(3)
Average rating
257
People visited

5.0
(1)
13
hikers
4.99km
01:18
40m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
hikers
4.58km
01:14
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1.0
(1)
22
hikers
3.86km
00:59
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
12
hikers
2.45km
00:38
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1
riders
63.2km
02:53
580m
570m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

21
riders
53.0km
02:16
350m
350m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

15
riders
73.5km
03:08
540m
540m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

13
riders
97.7km
04:03
680m
680m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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85.1km
05:09
680m
680m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
48.7km
02:57
380m
380m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
65.2km
03:54
500m
500m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
43.0km
02:33
290m
290m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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14
runners
16.4km
01:42
110m
110m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
runners
3.86km
00:26
10m
10m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
5.00km
00:31
30m
30m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The Ards region offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Road cycling, Hiking, Touring cycling, and Jogging. The diverse landscape, with its coastline, lough shores, and inland trails, provides options for various fitness levels.
The Ards Peninsula is characterized by Strangford Lough to the west and the Irish Sea to the east, offering over 100 miles of coastline. It features sandy beaches, rugged shores, woodlands, and open countryside. Strangford Lough is a significant Marine Conservation Zone and UNESCO Geopark.
Yes, Ards provides numerous road cycling routes along its scenic coastline and quiet country roads. Cyclists can explore options for various skill levels. For specific routes, refer to the Road Cycling Routes around Ards guide.
Ards offers a range of hiking trails, from coastal paths to woodland routes and trails leading to panoramic viewpoints. Hikers can explore the diverse landscapes of the peninsula. More information is available in the Hiking around Ards guide.
Touring cyclists can discover historic villages, ancient sites, and natural landmarks throughout the Ards Peninsula. The region's varied terrain and scenic routes are suitable for extended rides. The Cycling around Ards guide provides further details.
Joggers can find refreshing paths along the diverse coastline, through open parklands, and within woodlands in Ards. The region's varied environments offer scenic backdrops for running. Consult the Running Trails around Ards guide for specific routes.
Scrabo Tower, overlooking Newtownards, is a prominent landmark offering panoramic views of the northern peninsula and Strangford Lough. The region also features historic sites, including Norman castles, ancient abbeys, and Neolithic remains, which can be explored during outdoor activities.
Ards is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with more than 300 visitors sharing their experiences on komoot. Routes in the region have an average rating of 3.25 out of 5 stars.
Yes, Ards offers routes suitable for various skill levels, including easier options for beginners and families. For example, the Easy hikes around Ards guide highlights less challenging trails. The diverse coastline and parklands provide accessible options.
Komoot offers several guides for Ards, including Road Cycling Routes around Ards, Easy hikes around Ards, Hiking around Ards, Cycling around Ards, and Running Trails around Ards.
Official visitor information for the Ards region can be found through the Ards and North Down Borough Council. Their official website is ardsglobal.org. For general enquiries, the council's phone number is 0300 013 3333, and the Ards Visitor Information Centre can be reached at +44 (0) 28 9182 6846.

