Ballykeel is a region in Northern Ireland that offers diverse landscapes for outdoor activities. It encompasses areas within the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, featuring ancient volcanic formations and historical sites. Other parts of Ballykeel provide access to the dramatic Mourne Mountains, tranquil reservoirs, and scenic coastal paths around Carlingford Lough. This varied terrain supports several sports like touring cycling, hiking, road cycling, and jogging.
The Ballykeel region provides numerous routes for…
42
Routes
4.7
(16)
Average rating
459
People visited

5
hikers
13.0km
03:36
230m
230m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
2.69km
00:46
60m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
34
hikers
7.58km
02:05
130m
130m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
hikers
20.1km
05:54
560m
560m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

9
riders
94.7km
04:35
1,310m
1,310m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

47
riders
38.1km
01:50
320m
320m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

48
riders
98.0km
04:35
960m
960m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

27
riders
94.5km
04:38
1,270m
1,270m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

1
riders
61.4km
04:20
1,050m
1,050m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

91.1km
06:05
1,340m
1,340m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

107km
06:57
1,380m
1,380m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

42.6km
02:59
680m
680m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

38
runners
11.0km
01:10
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
runners
7.28km
00:47
90m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
runners
8.34km
00:53
90m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
6.12km
00:39
40m
40m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Ballykeel offers diverse landscapes suitable for touring cycling, hiking, road cycling, and jogging. The region includes areas within the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and proximity to the Mourne Mountains, providing varied terrains for outdoor enthusiasts.
Ballykeel features various cycling routes, including touring and road cycling options. Routes around the Cooley Mountains and the Carlingford Greenway are popular for their scenic views and varied gradients. For more details, refer to the Cycling around Ballykeel guide.
Yes, Ballykeel features road cycling routes, particularly around the Cooley Mountains and Carlingford Lough area. These routes offer scenic rides with varied gradients and views of historic landmarks. The Road Cycling Routes around Ballykeel guide provides further information.
Ballykeel provides numerous hiking opportunities, from ancient landscapes in the Ring of Gullion to challenging trails in the Mourne Mountains. Trails in Silent Valley, Kilbroney Forest Park (including the Narnia trail), and Tollymore Forest Park are available. The Hiking around Ballykeel guide details many options.
Ballykeel offers various jogging trails across its parks, forest paths, and coastal routes. Options range from easy loops in areas like Hillsborough Forest Park to more challenging terrains. The Running Trails around Ballykeel guide can assist in finding suitable routes.
Yes, Ballykeel offers trails suitable for beginners and those seeking easier routes. For hiking, there are easy loops in areas like Silent Valley and Hillsborough Forest Park. The Easy hikes around Ballykeel guide provides specific recommendations.
Key highlights include the Ballykeel Dolmen, a Neolithic burial site within the Ring of Gullion AONB, and Slieve Gullion, known for its folklore. Near the Mourne Mountains, attractions include Silent Valley and Ben Crom reservoirs, Slieve Foye mountain, and Kilbroney Forest Park.
Ballykeel is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 1,300 visitors sharing their experiences. The activities in the region have received an average rating of 4.78 out of 5 stars, indicating high satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for Ballykeel, including Cycling around Ballykeel, Hiking around Ballykeel, Road Cycling Routes around Ballykeel, Running Trails around Ballykeel, and Easy hikes around Ballykeel.
There is no single official tourism website for a generic 'Ballykeel region'. However, for information related to the Ballykeel Dolmen and Cairn in County Armagh, the Department for Communities can be contacted at 028 9082 3207. For broader tourism, official Northern Ireland tourism bodies are recommended.
The Ballykeel area, particularly near the Mourne Mountains and Carlingford Lough, offers family-friendly cycling options. The Carlingford Greenway provides a scenic and generally accessible route suitable for various ages. Forest parks like Kilbroney also feature paths that can be enjoyed by families.
Ballykeel bike trails feature diverse terrain. Road cycling routes around the Cooley Mountains offer varied gradients, while touring routes can be found along coastlines and through forests. Mountain biking trails are also available in the region, providing more challenging off-road experiences.

