Portstewart Strand: dune and estuary walk
Step into a different world as you walk through the 6,000 year-old sand dunes at Portstewart Strand, one of Northern Ireland's best beaches. Follow the trail to the river edge at the Bann Estuary to spot colourful wild flowers and butterflies. This is a walk that all the family can enjoy with two miles of golden strand to explore.
Near to
Portstewart StrandStart point
Portstewart Strand Visitor Centre, OSNI grid ref: C813368Trail information
*Beach and sandy paths, some steep. For further details, please see section marked Terrain.
**Path not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchair users. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs welcome on leads. Cattle are grazing in the dunnes between October to April. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
Portstewart Strand Visitor Centre, OSNI grid ref: C813368
Stage 1
Start your walk from the entrance to the strand and make your way to lifebuoy station 10, approximately 1 mile (1.6km) from the entrance .
Stage 2
Climb the sand ladder at lifebuoy 10 to leave the beach behind and enjoy the tranquillity of the dunes.
Stage 3
You have the choice of two different paths. The one on the right leads you through the kissing gate inside a fenced area where cattle graze from September to March. A small waymarker post will guide you across to the Bann Estuary. You can also choose the path on the right side. Just follow the path along the fence line to the Bann Estuary.
Exotic looking bee orchids mimic other insects to help with pollination | © National Trust Images / Richard Allen Stage 4
No matter which path you've chosen, turn right when you come to the river Bann. You are now walking through an area of salt marsh. Be aware that cattle sometimes graze on the salt marsh.
The limestone ledges off St Helens Duver are one of the best places to go rockpooling | © National Trust / Rob Warburton Stage 5
Follow the path through the salt marsh and you'll come to a kissing gate leading into Crab Bay and around the edge of the dunes.
A ringed plover wading through muddy saltmarsh creek at Stiffkey Marshes, Norfolk | © National Trust Images/Rob Coleman Stage 6
The path brings you back to the beach at lifebuoy 14. From here it's approximately two miles back to step one flowing the tide line .
End point
Portstewart Strand Visitor Centre, OSNI grid ref: C813368
Trail map
Portstewart Strand: dune and estuary walk map | © National Trust Images/John Millar
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Get in touch
118 Strand Road, Portstewart, County Londonderry, BT55 7PG
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