Soarns Hill

The walk up Soarns Hill takes you through proper moorland with proper views. It's not dramatic - no jagged peaks or sudden drops - but there's something satisfying about reaching the top and realising you can see across Mid Antrim from here. The summit isn't much to look at on its own, just a high point with the usual trig marker, but the route itself is the real draw. You get heather underfoot, wind in your face, and that genuine feeling of having gone somewhere.

Ballymena sits close enough that you could make this part of a broader day out in the area. The walk appeals most to walkers who like straightforward rambles rather than technical scrambles - families with decent boots will manage it fine, though it's not something to drag reluctant teenagers up. Allow a couple of hours there and back depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top.

Timing-wise, autumn's the best bet when the moorland colours up and the weather's generally more settled than summer. Winter's doable but exposed and muddy. The walking is free, naturally, and the hill sits well with a stay at Ocean View Pods if you're after a quieter base - five miles away but close enough for an easy morning expedition before heading elsewhere.