Fort Hill

The walk up Fort Hill from Ballymoney rewards you with views across the Causeway Coast and Glens that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's not a dramatic peak - more of a proper hill walk than a scramble - but that's rather the point. You get the sense of real landscape without needing to be a mountaineer.

The summit sits around 400 metres, which means you'll feel properly elevated without your legs screaming at you. Most people manage the ascent in under an hour, depending on fitness and how often you stop to admire the view. The path is well-trodden and reasonably maintained, though it can be boggy after rain so choose your footwear accordingly.

Walkers get the most from this. Families with older kids (eight upwards) will find it manageable; younger ones might struggle with the length. History buffs might feel a bit shortchanged - there's not much interpretation on site about why it's called Fort Hill, though the views themselves are reward enough.

It's free, naturally, and open whenever you fancy turning up. Allow a solid two hours if you're not rushing. The nearest proper facilities are back in Ballymoney, so pack water and a snack.

If you're staying at Thornfield Farm Luxury Glamping Pods over near the Dark Hedges, Fort Hill makes a superb morning outing before breakfast. It slots nicely into a Causeway Coast tour without eating up your whole day.