To celebrate the lifting of Level 5 restrictions I headed north on the N56 last Saturday morning for a hike through Ards Forest Park. Despite a pretty miserable day, the trails were as lovely as ever. Just a few observations if you’re thinking of visiting:
- If entering the park through the tunnel at Ballymore National School, note that you cannot take the trail leading straight ahead as the bridge on the lower level is impassable and has not yet been repaired. You must take the path to the right that goes down toward the entrance gates
- The trails have become popular with mountain bikers so keep alert for them.
- The little coffee cabin at the car park seemed closed but a car pulled up and a young man went in the back door. I was on the clock so didn’t wait to see if he was opening up I’m afraid. There may be updated information on the Ards Coffee Tree Facebook page.