The best running trails in Northern Ireland

bring lunch as there was no pub grub at the top

I was lucky to see them at their best today, beautiful 😍

Here, in the middle of the city, the characters from The Chronicles of Narnia come to life in the form of impressive bronze sculptures. As a cyclist, you pass right by the square and can pause for a moment to immerse yourself in this fantastic world. The sculptures of Aslan, the mighty lion, and the White Witch's throne in particular attract attention. The details of the figures are impressive and give the characters a special presence. The square is not only a place for literature lovers, but also an interesting work of art in the open air - a change from the usual sights. CS Lewis, the famous writer and son of the city, is omnipresent here and also makes this place a small piece of Belfast history.

The Gosford Forest Park near Markethill offers an impressive mix of dense forests, open parks and hidden paths on around 240 hectares. As soon as you enter the park, you can feel the special atmosphere, which is enhanced by the mighty Gosford Castle - a building that appears between the trees and is reminiscent of times gone by. The paths are varied and lead you through a wide variety of landscapes. Sometimes you cycle on narrow forest paths lined with tall trees, sometimes you cross open meadows where sheep roam. On sunny days, the light falls through the leaves and bathes everything in a pleasant play of shadow and light. There are both easy family routes and challenging mountain bike routes, so there is something for everyone. The signposting remains a small challenge, however - it is easy to get lost. But discovering new corners also has its charm, and in the end every detour is worth it. There are several benches scattered around the park for breaks, and every now and then you'll come across a food truck offering welcome refreshments.

A lovely run but be sure to turn around every once in a while and enjoy the view behind you!

Chuck your shoes in your bag and enjoy a barefoot beach run along East Strand Beach next to Portrush on the Causeway Coast.

Enjoy a jog along the paved, flat Portrush Harbour, where you can take pleasure in scenes of bobbing boats and the beautiful North Atlantic Ocean.

This is a tough, gritty, but incredibly scenic and rewarding run all at the same time. You can take the path as fast or slow as you like, but a relatively good fitness level is recommended. The ground can get rocky underfoot, so bring a decent pair of shoes with you, as well as water, perhaps a little refuel bar to enjoy at the top, and some wet weather gear in case the heavens open. Enjoy, and good luck!