Irish Hill

The walk up Irish Hill near Ballymena isn't long, but it rewards you with views across Mid Antrim that stretch for miles on a clear day. The summit sits at 1,177 feet, which means the climb is steady rather than brutal - most people manage it in under an hour from the car park.

What you get at the top is genuine countryside: rolling farmland, distant hills, and on good weather days, you can see right across to the Antrim plateau. There's a trig point marking the summit, which feels properly satisfying when you reach it. The path itself is well-maintained and easy to follow, so families with older children won't struggle, though it's steep enough that little ones might find the return leg a slog.

Go early to avoid the afternoon mist rolling in - it happens fast up here. The walk takes about two hours total if you're not rushing, giving you time to stop and actually look at the view rather than just bagging the peak. It's free, as these things usually are.

If you're based at Sunset Glamping just down the road, this makes a perfect morning outing before heading elsewhere in the region. It's not a destination in itself, but paired with walks around Ballymena or the Slemish climb nearby, it fills a gap nicely. Walkers will get the most from it. History types and casual strollers might find it a bit thin on atmosphere.