Cloghy to Ballyhalbert Coastal Walk

Yes, this stretch of the eastern Ards Peninsula is dog friendly year round with no seasonal bans in place on the main beaches. It earns a solid 7.5 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating, thanks to its wide sands, low dunes and quiet coastal grass verge that give dogs plenty of room to roam.

There is good off-lead potential on the open beach and coastal grass verge, where a long lead is also a practical option. That said, dogs do need to be kept on the lead along the short road sections connecting the two beaches and in the village centres at Cloghy and Ballyhalbert.

The terrain shifts between firm sand, pebble ridge and tarmac verge, so a towel in the car is well worth remembering. Parking is free at small shoreline car parks at both ends, and there are cafes and shops in each village if you need supplies — though there are no public toilets directly on the route, so plan accordingly.