Skip to content
Nugent's Walk Trail, County Down
Look out for wildlife and wild flowers | © National Trust Images/David Armstrong
Northern Ireland

Nugent's Wood walk at Strangford Lough

Enjoy a short walk through wonderful mixed woodland at Nugent's Wood in Portaferry. Look out for red squirrels and, in the spring, bluebells, lesser celandines and cowslips.

Total steps: 7

Total steps: 7

Start point

The kissing gate behind the stone wall at the end of the row of houses. OSNI grid ref: J59129 50867

Step 1

From the kissing gate, head towards the entrance to Nugent's Wood (marked by the colourful bluebell carving).

Step 2

Walk along the grass path, taking in the views across the lough to Castle Ward Bay, until you come to the squirrel sculpture.

Step 3

Continue along the path, passing a traditional wrought-iron gate (recently restored by National Trust rangers and volunteers), until you come to a set of steps on your right.

Step 4

Take the steps up into the woodland.

Step 5

Follow the path under oak and beech trees, keeping an eye out for some great bracket fungus growing on the trunks.

Step 6

Eventually, you'll arrive at some steps. At the bottom is a bench where you can catch your breath while enjoying the tranquil sounds of nature.

Step 7

Rejoin the original path and follow it back to the starting point.

End point

The kissing gate behind the stone wall at the end of the row of houses. OSNI grid ref: J59129 50867

Trail map

Map route for Nugent's Wood walk
Map of the Nugent's Wood walk | © Land and Property Services permit no. 120099 Crown Copyright 2013

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

House on the Kearney coast, Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland
Trail
Trail

Kearney coastal walk at Strangford Lough 

On this short coastal walk from Kearney, look out for quaint, whitewashed cottages and an abundance of wildlife.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.7 (km: 4.32)

Get in touch

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

A hiker wearing an insulated jacket and a backpack watches the sunset over snowy mountain peaks

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

Walkers passing by a stream on Slieve Donard in the Mourne Mountains, County Down

Walking in Northern Ireland 

Explore the dramatic landscape of places like the UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Giant's Causeway or the sandy shores of Portstewart Strand on these walks in Northern Ireland.

Close up of a walker's boots with a group of walkers in the background as they climb up Pen yr Ole Wen, Carneddau and Glyderau, Gwynedd, Wales
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

A flock of brent geese flying low over Strangford Lough, County Down
Article
Article

Wildlife at Strangford Lough 

Strangford Lough is one of only three Marine Nature Reserves in the UK and home to a huge variety of wildlife. Here’s what to look out for and where to explore on your next visit.

Worn steps winding up the side of a hill overlooking the coast at Orlock Point, County Down.
Article
Article

Things to do at Strangford Lough and beyond 

Explore the largest sea lough in the British Isles, home to a variety of rare wildlife. Head out for walk, discover the local towns and villages and soak up dramatic views.

Sheep and drowned drumlins at Strangford Lough, County Down, Northern Ireland
Article
Article

Our work at Strangford Lough 

Discover some of the important conservation work that takes place at Strangford Lough to protect it for future generations.