Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Camping and Bushcraft => Topic started by: RedLeader on February 24, 2010

Title: Northern Ireland Solo Camping Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 24, 2010
I'm still determined to get a solo camp under my belt sometime soon and I'm wondering where's the best spot.

Under normal circumstances on the top of a Mourne peak would be ideal but for my first I'd like somewhere within a reasonable distance of the car and with an easy walk (for the wifes sanity). I can only really think of Donard Wood which would be fine but not somewhere I'd feel totally comfortable on my own on account of it being a bit of a popular spot for local drinkies.

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Northern Ireland Solo Camping Recommendations
Post by: pablo on February 24, 2010
why not try crawfordsburn scouting centre,i used it a few years ago for a rough camp with the kids.

or mountstewart ?

the question is ...why? its cold and lonely on your own.
Title: Re: Northern Ireland Solo Camping Recommendations
Post by: Celt_Ginger on February 25, 2010
Try Glenarif, or go up Trostin. What about the Sperrins? There's more places to camp than just the Mournes.
Title: Re: Northern Ireland Solo Camping Recommendations
Post by: MG1 on February 25, 2010
Try Glenarif, or go up Trostin. What about the Sperrins? There's more places to camp than just the Mournes.
The Moyle way is good heading up Troston its rightly enclosed and there s plenty of fire wood.
Title: Re: Northern Ireland Solo Camping Recommendations
Post by: ulsterwalker on February 25, 2010
There's a couple places in Crawfordsburn Country park that would be perfect.

If you're walking the North Down Coastal path from Holywood to Bangor, after you go up and down the steps around Seahill, and you officially enter Crawfordsburn Country Park, the wee cove around the disused boat house offers a couple places to camp up, with a car park only a 100 metres up the hill at the end of Coastguard Avenue (however this does get locked over night, don't know if your car would get clamped or what?)

Again in Crawfordsburn park, the 21 arces of meadowland which is situated either side of Old Windmill Road and where the Old Crawfordsburn Railway station was, even though google maps says its where Carnalea train station is. Car parking on the road.

Orlock point between Donaghadee and Groomsport also offers a couple of nice spots to camp with car parking not too far away off the main road.
Title: Re: Northern Ireland Solo Camping Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 25, 2010
Would they not be well heeled routes with the local cider drinkers? Being on my own I want somewhere fairly isolated. Plus are you allowed to camp in Crawfordsburn? I thought they would be strict about that sort of thing. Orlock Point would be awesome - was round that way a few weeks back and it has some stunning views.

There's a couple places in Crawfordsburn Country park that would be perfect.

If you're walking the North Down Coastal path from Holywood to Bangor, after you go up and down the steps around Seahill, and you officially enter Crawfordsburn Country Park, the wee cove around the disused boat house offers a couple places to camp up, with a car park only a 100 metres up the hill at the end of Coastguard Avenue (however this does get locked over night, don't know if your car would get clamped or what?)

Again in Crawfordsburn park, the 21 arces of meadowland which is situated either side of Old Windmill Road and where the Old Crawfordsburn Railway station was, even though google maps says its where Carnalea train station is. Car parking on the road.

Orlock point between Donaghadee and Groomsport also offers a couple of nice spots to camp with car parking not too far away off the main road.
Title: Re: Northern Ireland Solo Camping Recommendations
Post by: ulsterwalker on February 25, 2010
The only place I've ever seen people drinking in Crawf park is on the main beaches (Helen's Bay or Crawf) I would be very surprised if you saw anyone drinking by the boathouse or in the meadows, its just too much effort to get to. Prob see some peeps Sunday morning with their dogs though

Orlock point is a lovely spot to camp, stayed their a couple times and you can take yourself a good bit away from the main path and out of sight, while being only a metre or two from the sea. Last time I was around Orlock I walked a bit with an old guy who had 4 German pointers of various ages with him
Title: Re: Northern Ireland Solo Camping Recommendations
Post by: barry5891 on March 25, 2010
the antrim hills are full of little out of the way woods was at one last weekend near cushandun(hint its near a viaduct)brillant spot saw no one but yuo hear alot of bikes.was in the mournes about a month ago,annalong wood was like a shanty town tents everywhere.had to overnight at percys bithe?i think thats what it was called.near binnian lough.