Categories: Walking

This is not about 6 course “fine dining” meals or 5 hour long punishing hikes. It’s about eating well and walking off just enough of it that you feel human again. Each of our suggested walks take less than 10,000 steps (or less again if you fancy!) but will hit the spot perfectly for a chill day after a great meal.

Portglenone: Where Forests Whisper and the River Remembers

Portglenone doesn’t shout. It doesn’t even raise its voice. This is a village built for listening. Listening to the river. Listening to the forest. And letting the worries of the week gone and coming disappear in the background.

You’ll find dinner here at The Fiddler’s Rest in the form of traditional Irish food done right. Think of the best home cooked meal you ever had, brought to you with top quality locally sourced ingredients. The pints are cold, the cocktail list inviting, and the portions are unapologetic. The perfect combination to start your chill day out.

Afterward, head to Portglenone Forest. Step inside and the noise drops away like a bad signal. The ground softens and the paths invite you to while away an hour or two as you stroll at your leisure. Take your time as you stroll beside the Bann. Tomorrow can wait.

Ballygally

Some places were built for drama. Ballygally is one of them. Dinner first, at the famously (reportedly!) haunted Ballygally Castle Hotel. One of the most striking hotels you will come across, situated right on the sea front. The food options here cover everything you could want, from Afternoon Tea to light bites, through to top quality fare in the Garden restaurant and their highly regarded Sunday Buffet. You will not go wanting.

Afterwards, make the stones throw journey over the road to the beach for a short stroll. Take in the sea air and let the breeze bring you back to life.

Larne- The Olderfleet & Jurassic Coast

The Olderfleet has been described as a ‘culinary haven’, a description that perfectly fits one of the true hidden gems of the entire area. Here, you will find hearty flavours, superb portions and all the warmth and hospitality you could wish for. As you can expect on the coast, the seafood here is a highlight. Try the chowder, a melting pot of flavour awaits.

Once you’re suitably fed and ready to come alive again head for the coast. The Jurassic coast, that is. Regarded as one of the most important areas in the world for geologists when it comes to fossils. A walk from the south end of the Promenade to the north end past Waterloo Cottages passes through around 150 million years of Earth’s history. Not bad for 10,000 steps.

The legend of Saint Patrick and the Garden Village of Ulster

Great pub grub, great value, great village. What’s not to love? Your first stop on the journey is a call to The Thatch, Broughshane. A gem in one of the most picturesque villages in the country. Here you will find the food the same as the hospitality; warm, inviting, and plentiful. The menu is varied (and always good!) and on a Sunday the roast is a must.

Next, you will make the short trip to the true jewel in the local crown, Slemish Mountain. Famed as the first Irish home of Saint Patrick, Slemish dominates the local landscape and carries stories and sentiment in its mists from generations. The ‘toughest’ of our dander suggestions, it is nonetheless less than 10,000 steps, the bonus here being if you don’t fancy walking all the way up it is still worth going as far as you want just to sit for 10 and take in the spectacular view of beautiful County Antrim.

The Dairy and Gleno Waterfall- a match made in heaven.

The Dairy’s own website describes their fare as ‘Local produce, curated with care’ and that perfectly sums up exactly what is on offer here. A ‘hidden gem’ in the extreme, word is starting to spread about how special this place is. The food is exceptional, whilst the farm shop will have you seriously considering taking out a loan to go on a shopping spree. A must visit.

Afterward, make the short trip to the famed Gleno Waterfall. Small in stature but mighty on impact. Gleno Waterfall is one of the most picture-perfect scenes you will find anywhere on the Causeway Coastal Route. Bring your camera (or phone), you will want to take pictures.

Carrickfergus: Castle. Sea walk. Great food. What more could you want?

Any one of a visit to a castle, a sea walk, and great food, would be a good enough reason for many to leave the house, luckily, in Carrickfergus, all 3 are on offer.

Begin your day at Ownies. A local institution, this hugely popular venue is known for great food, great drink and a great welcome. Grab a cosy corner and fill your boots. A good point to remember here is that if post walk you still want more, you can always head back to Ownies for a drink in the hopes of catching some live music, which is a constant fixture in the venue.

When your hunger has been sated, head over the road to Carrickfergus Castle. A magnificent Norman castle that is one of the best preserved anywhere in the U.K. and Ireland. If the walls could talk they would tell a thousand stories. Post castle visit take a longer walk along the Marine Highway. On a good day the water glistens and you could watch the ships pass by for hours on end.

The last word

‘Sauntering’, ‘Dandering’, ‘Going for a bite and a wee walk.’, ‘Chill time’.

 Whatever you want to call it, September is for it. A day set aside for dining and Dandering is an absolute must in a month where the days get shorter and summer is battling to stay alive. Make the most of it.