Slieveanorra

The walk up Slieveanorra near Ballymoney isn't some gentle stroll - it's a proper hike with real elevation that'll test your legs. The reward, though, is a hilltop that breaks open into views across the Causeway Coast and Glens that genuinely take your breath away. You're looking at moorland stretching in every direction, with the Antrim plateau rolling out beneath you like someone's thrown a blanket of purple and brown across the landscape.

It's the sort of place walkers come for, especially those who want something with actual purpose rather than just a loop around a car park. The ascent takes about an hour depending on your pace and fitness, and the ground underfoot is what you'd expect - boggy in places, rocky in others, sometimes both at once. Bring proper boots. The summit itself is windswept and can be murky when clouds roll in, so check the weather before you head out. Clear days reward you with views that stretch for miles.

Families with older kids will manage fine here, but younger ones might find it a slog without complaint. There's no visitor centre, no café, nothing to soften it - which is rather the point. It's free to access, and you can easily spend two to three hours including the walk back down. If you're staying at North Coast 9 Glamping nearby, this makes for a cracking morning's adventure before heading down to the coastal attractions. The walk won't feel wasted, either - it genuinely delivers.