Island Hill

What You'll Find

Island Hill is one of those quiet Strangford Lough spots that rewards anyone who knows it's there. From the shore car park off Ringcreevy Road, a path follows the lough edge and then runs out along a concrete causeway to Rough Island.

That causeway is the whole point. It only shows at low tide, so the walk has a natural rhythm to it: you check the water, watch it pull back, and then head out across a path that wasn't there an hour earlier. Free, outdoors, and about as unflashy as a good day out gets.

Wee Ones Will Love...

• ✓Walking a causeway that only appears when the tide goes out
• ✓Watching the wading birds and the water on a quiet stretch of the lough
• ✓The feeling of heading somewhere on a path of their own

Before You Visit

The tide is the main thing to plan around. The path runs from the car park along a concrete causeway to Rough Island, and that causeway is only walkable at low tide — at high water it is covered and there is no way across. Check local tide information before you set out, never start across once the water is over the path, and leave plenty of time to get back.

At the car park there's free parking including disabled spaces, toilets and picnic tables. The accessible toilet is opened with a RADAR key, so bring one if you'll need it, and it's worth checking the toilets are open before you travel. Dogs should be kept on leads at all times. The path is flat but grass and stone underfoot, so sturdy shoes are the better choice.

⭐ Wee Adventurers Top Tips

• ⭐Check local tide information before you go, and aim for low water with room to walk back
• ⭐Never cross the causeway once it is covered — the tide comes in across the path
• ⭐The accessible toilet needs a RADAR key, so bring your own
• ⭐Picnic tables by the car park make this an easy stop with a flask
• ⭐Dogs should be kept on leads at all times