Slemish Mountain Circular Walk

Slemish is dog friendly, though it earns a moderate rating of 6.5 out of 10 — largely because the terrain makes it unsuitable for all dogs. Confident, sure-footed dogs will relish the scramble and the sweeping views across mid Antrim, but it's worth reading up before you bring your four-legged companion along.

No — dogs must be kept on a lead for the entire route, from the car park to the summit. Sheep graze the lower slopes year round, so this is a firm requirement rather than a suggestion.

The summit push is a genuine scramble over loose rock and grass tussocks, so this walk isn't suitable for older dogs or short-legged breeds. The terrain can be slippy in wet weather, and leads are required throughout due to grazing sheep. On the plus side, the full loop takes under an hour, and there are toilets and an information point at the base — though no café or shop, so bring your own snacks.