Carlingford to Omeath Greenway

The old railway line between Carlingford and Omeath has been transformed into a proper walking and cycling route that feels like you've stumbled onto someone's secret. It's a gentle affair - mostly flat, which means it won't leave you knackered - and the fact that it follows the water makes it feel less like you're exercising and more like you're just wandering about.

What you're actually doing is tracing the path of a Victorian railway that used to connect these two small villages. The tracks are long gone, but the route itself remains, and walkers get the best of it: proper views across the lough and the chance to spot herons and other birds that don't get bothered much by humans. On a clear day you can see across to the Mourne Mountains in the distance, which frankly makes the walk feel a bit more substantial than it has any right to.

It's the sort of place that works brilliantly for families with younger kids - no steep climbs, no confusing junctions - and older walkers will appreciate the straightforward navigation. Allow an hour or so if you're taking it steady and actually looking at things rather than just marching through. Spring and summer are obviously better for light and weather, but winter's quieter if that appeals.

If you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - Sandilands gets consistently high marks - this makes a decent morning or afternoon sortie without requiring a car journey. Kilbroney sits closest at just over three miles away. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's exactly the sort of undemanding local walk that makes a holiday proper restorative.