Dog Friendly Walks & Beaches in County Down

A dog friendly National Trust estate walk around Castle Ward with off lead exercise field and Strangford Lough shoreline.

The beach at the back of the famous Murlough National Nature Reserve dune system with year-round access and Mourne Mountain views.

A dog friendly forest park at the foot of the Mournes with long waymarked trails along the Shimna River.

A remote sandy beach below the Mourne Mountains with year-round access and dramatic scenery on a quieter stretch of the Down coastline.

A sandy beach on the Ards Peninsula with year-round access and a quiet, unhurried character.

A quiet sandy beach on Carlingford Lough with year-round access and views across the water to the Cooley Mountains in the Republic.

A sandy beach in Crawfordsburn Country Park with year-round dog access, a WWI coastal fort above, picnic areas and cafes in the park and views across Belfast Lough.

A dog friendly forest park tucked at the feet of Slieve Martin above Carlingford Lough with waterfall, old oak and summit loop options.

A sheltered lagoon beach on the Ards Peninsula with year-round access and a relaxed family atmosphere.

A dog friendly Mourne Mountain circuit over the granite tors of Slieve Binnian with Silent Valley views.

A dog friendly short hill walk to the iconic Scrabo Tower with panoramas over Strangford Lough.

A wide, sheltered sandy bay at Bangor with year-round dog access on leads, a popular sailing club and promenade, one of the most used beaches in the Greater Belfast area.

A wide, remote sandy beach backed by the Mourne Mountains near Ballykinler and Tyrella, with year-round dog access when not affected by military training activity.

A dog friendly quiet coastal walk along the eastern Ards shore with long sands and rockpool flats.

A sheltered sandy beach on Carlingford Lough with outstanding views across to the Cooley Mountains in the Republic of Ireland, year-round dog access and a very quiet, rarely visited character.

A sandy country park beach connecting to Helen's Bay via a beautiful coastal path in Crawfordsburn, with year-round dog access and excellent park facilities.

A sandy beach at historic Donaghadee, the nearest point in Ireland to Scotland, with year-round dog access and the town's famous lighthouse, harbour and oldest pub in Ireland.

A sandy beach at the charming fishing village of Groomsport with year-round dog access (on leads in designated areas), a preserved harbour and historic Cockle Row cottages.

A dog friendly big day in the Mournes climbing Slieve Commedagh from Newcastle via the Glen River.

A dog friendly high Mourne traverse along the southern half of the famous granite Mourne Wall.

Newcastle's famous sandy beach below the Mourne Mountains with seasonal restrictions from 1 June to 15 September on the central section, and one of the most dramatic beach settings in Ireland.

A dog friendly shoreline walk along the Strangford and Lecale coast with tidal views, Audley's Castle and quiet lanes.

Bangor's main resort beach adjacent to one of Ireland's largest marinas, with year-round dog access on leads and the full amenities of the North Down's premier seaside town.

A sandy beach at Kilkeel, Northern Ireland's largest fishing harbour and the Mourne capital, with year-round dog access and the dramatic Mourne Mountains as a backdrop.

A sandy Ards peninsula beach at Millisle with year-round dog access and the restored Ballycopeland Windmill above the village, one of the best-preserved in Ireland.

A dramatic rocky headland at Orlock Point with year-round dog access, wild coastal walking and outstanding views across Belfast Lough on the North Down Coastal Path.