Orlock Point

From the car park, the walk commences through the stile bearing the National Trust emblem. Walk along the path until you encounter a stony sheltered bay, crossing over the small stream (the Portavo River) with the standing stone to your left. A flight of steps leads up onto the headland and a large expanse of open farmland. While catching your breath, enjoy the views of the Copelands with the Galloway coast, Mull of Kintyre and Ailsa Craig providing a hazy backdrop. Take a moment to look for farmland birds feeding in the cereal fields or birds of prey hunting along the field margins.

Continue on this path, along the top of the slope, through a stone stile. After another 200 yards, the path divides in two. The lower route will take you down towards the sea and onto the nineteenth century Orlock Coach Road for a short section. If you want flatter terrain, remain on the top path until they merge again a little further along. The path will then lead you down some more steps before passing under an archway which was hewn out of the rock by hand as part of the Coach Road. Chisel marks are still evident in places.

The path leads past some open shingle bays and sheltered coves. The Second World War lookout hut makes a good vantage point for watching passing seabirds and boat traffic. The walk ends at Sandeel Bay. At this point you can retrace your steps or continue up Sandeel lane to the main road and back to the start point.

This walk has been developed and maintained by The National Trust.

From the car park, the walk commences through the stile bearing the National Trust emblem. Walk along the path until you encounter a stony sheltered bay, crossing over the small stream (the Portavo River) with the standing stone to your left. A flight of steps leads up onto the headland and a large expanse of open farmland. While catching your breath, enjoy the views of the Copelands with the Galloway coast, Mull of Kintyre and Ailsa Craig providing a hazy backdrop. Take a moment to look for farmland birds feeding in the cereal fields or birds of prey hunting along the field margins.

Continue on this path, along the top of the slope, through a stone stile. After another 200 yards, the path divides in two. The lower route will take you down towards the sea and onto the nineteenth century Orlock Coach Road for a short section. If you want flatter terrain, remain on the top path until they merge again a little further along. The path will then lead you down some more steps before passing under an archway which was hewn out of the rock by hand as part of the Coach Road. Chisel marks are still evident in places.

The path leads past some open shingle bays and sheltered coves. The Second World War lookout hut makes a good vantage point for watching passing seabirds and boat traffic. The walk ends at Sandeel Bay. At this point you can retrace your steps or continue up Sandeel lane to the main road and back to the start point.

This walk has been developed and maintained by The National Trust.

Access is off the Donaghadee road, about 1.5 miles East of Groomsport and 2 miles North West of Donaghadee. Coming from Groomsport, pass the entrance to Orlock Road on your left and then look for the small left hand turn as the sea comes in to view.