HOLYWOOD TO BANGOR GREENWAY
“North Down Coastal Path”
A 16km traffic-free route along the southern edge of Belfast Lough winding through Holywood, Cultra, Helen’s Bay and Crawfordsburn into Bangor.
ROUTE DETAILS
| Length | 16 kilometres |
| Estimate | £2.4 million (upgrade) |
| Timescale | 2026 to 2040 |
| Type | Existing coastal path |
| Border area | No |
| Councils | Ards and North Down Borough Council |
Article: Holywood to Bangor Coastal Path (April 2013)
“The North Down Coastal Path remains a gem in Northern Ireland’s tourist and leisure offering. The section from Holywood to Bangor stretches 10 miles along rocky shores, fine sandy beaches, quiet coves, country parkland, busy promenades and moments of perfect isolation.
As a kid growing up in Troubles Belfast, there was always a little bit of magic about day trips to North Down. Whether it was the chocolate box train stations, the many fun activities, or just the sharp change of scenery just minutes out of the city, it was an easy place to fall in love with. Finding out that there was a ‘secret path’ that went for miles around the coast added to the mystique.”
IMAGES
PROGRESS UPDATES
Idea stage
Feasibility
Construction
Completed
June 2016: ANDBC applies to Stage 1 of the DfI Small Grants Programme for Greenways competition
November 2016: ANDBC secures DfI £8,000 grant funding for a feasibility study on “Orlock Point to Holywood greenway”
August 2017: “Orlock Point to Holywood greenway” misses cut at DfI Small Grants Programme stage 3
April 2018: “Kinnegar to Donaghadee” consultation event (date to be rearranged)
September 2020: “Mallon announces a £2.8 million package for Greenway projects”
“North Down Coastal Path – widening near Stricklands Glen total capital costs £25,000”
RESOURCES ELSEWHERE
North Down Coastal Path (Walk NI)
Call for North Down Council to enforce cycling by-laws (BBC NI)
Muir Working To Complete Coastal Path Upgrade (Eda Media)
Exercise Explore Enjoy: A Strategic Plan for Greenways (Department for Infrastructure) PDF 2.8MB
Strategic Plan for Greenways Base Report (AECOM, Sustrans, DfI) PDF 15.7MB
GREENWAY PROJECTS WHICH INTERSECT
An upgrade and extension of a coastal path to link Bangor with Groomsport and Donaghadee past Orlock Point.
A missing link in an otherwise excellent chain of traffic-free routes between Belfast and Bangor, a 4km urban greenway in Sydenham.
NEWTOWNARDS TO NORTH DOWN COASTAL PATH GREENWAY
A proposal to link Newtownards with the North Down Coastal Path
GET INVOLVED
Successful greenway projects are driven by the passion of local people. If you have an update to share, a story to tell about the history of the route or future of the Holywood to Bangor Greenway / North Down Coastal Path, or if you want to submit a picture or video to this page, please get in contact.