Ulster Way
The Ulster Way is a 1,024 km waymarked route circling the full perimeter of Northern Ireland — from Derry/Londonderry through the Antrim Coast, the Mountains of Mourne, the Fermanagh lakelands and the Sperrins in a complete circumnavigation of the province.
This route has no official waymarking. Serious navigation experience is required — do not rely on GPS alone. Carry OS 1:25,000 maps and study the line before you go.
About Ulster Way
The Ulster Way is the longest waymarked route in the UK — a circuit of all six counties of Northern Ireland and the coastline, mountains and lakelands that define the province. Established in the 1970s, it has been progressively improved and now provides a continuous waymarked route through the Causeway Coast, the Antrim Plateau, the Mourne Mountains, the Fermanagh lakes and the Sperrin Mountains.
For trail runners it is a three to four week expedition. The Antrim Coast (Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, Fair Head cliffs) and the Mourne Mountains are the outstanding sections. The Fermanagh lakelands offer a completely different character — flat, water-threaded and atmospheric.
The route
Antrim Coast (~150 km): The most dramatic section — Giants Causeway, White Rocks, Carrick-a-Rede. Dark Hedges nearby.
Belfast Hills and Strangford Lough (~100 km): Urban and coastal, with the Ards Peninsula.
Mourne Mountains (~60 km): The Seven Sevens and Mourne Wall territory.
Fermanagh Lakelands (~150 km): Around Lough Erne — flat, quiet, very different character.
Sperrins (~100 km): Through Tyrone's mountain range to return to Derry.
Getting there & logistics
Start/finish: Belfast or Derry/Londonderry. Both have airports with UK and international connections.
Bus and rail connections throughout Northern Ireland (Translink). Wild camping is not as clearly legal as in Scotland — use official sites and seek permission.
Best time: May to September.
Safety
The Mourne Mountains section requires mountain navigation skills. The Antrim coast cliffs are significant hazards — stay on the path. In an emergency: call 999 or 112. For coastal sections ask for Coastguard. Mourne MRT covers the mountains. Pre-register SMS 999.
Have you completed Ulster Way?
Log your round — time, date, attempt type, photos. Connect Strava to pull in your activity automatically.
Completions
No completions logged yet — be the first.