Murlough Nature Reserve: dunes and beach

From the main car park, follow the National Trust's South End Nature Trail by boardwalk and sandy paths through the dunes, out onto the beach, and back through the reserve to the car park, with the Mourne Mountains rising inland.

It is 4.5 km round with 41 m of ascent; allow about 1¼ hours. The grade is Easy: sand and grass underfoot, on paths almost all the way, with the beach section softer and slower. The National Trust gives the trail as about 3 miles (4.8 km) and 1 hour 15 minutes.

Dogs must be kept on leads at all times, and from July to August not on the beach in the Blue Flag area. The reserve is grazed, ground-nesting birds breed on it, and live ammunition from the Second World War may occasionally be found: do not touch anything you find, note where it is and tell the Trust's staff or call 999. Fires, barbecues, drones and metal detectors are not allowed. Take care on the beach with the tide and the soft sand.

The car park is pay and display all year (£5 from September to April, £7 from May to August, by card or the JustPark app only); National Trust members park free. The Ulsterbus 20 from Belfast to Newcastle stops at the Lazy BJ Caravan Park beyond Dundrum, about a mile from the reserve.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.