North Down Coastal Walk Event Cache

The North Down Coastal Path Stretches from Groomsport to Holywood, but this event will follow it from Bangor to Holywood, around 8 miles.

Check out the North Down Borough Council website for some information on the path. I will get some copies for the walk. A printable leaflet on the coastal Path can be found here

Though mostly paved, some of the path is over rough terrain and involves steps. F or wheelchair users, there is also a coastal route of 3 1/2 miles from the countryside centre to as far as Seapark in Holywood

There will be a number of new caches placed especially for the event. Details will be released on the day before we leave Bangor. To log the event it is not necessary to do the walk, but the log book must be signed at the start or at some point along the way. If you can not make the walk and fancy a meal, stand up and give the class a good excuse for your lateness and we will let you sign the book.

Proposed Itinery:

10:30 Meet in Bangor at the McKee clock (Coordinates above). Public toilets available close by.

11:00 Leave Bangor

13:00 Arrive Crawfordsburn Country Park for picnic. The Woodland cafe in the park will be open untill 16:30 for those who like to travel light. Public toilets available in the park.

14:00 Depart Crawfordsburn Country Park

16:30 Arrive Holywood and get some refreshments

18:00 Grab a bite to eat and draw a FTF winner from the list of names from the event log book. There will be a special geocoin for the FTF.

Parking: Below is a non exhaustive list of car parks along the route:

Bangor - The main sea front car park in Bangor at Queen; Parade is locked on Sunday evenings, and though a warden may be at the gates for a few hours to let cars out, the hours are not listed. This parking place is not recommended.

On-street parking may be the best option, but check for any parking restrictions.

Stricklands Glen – Parking for “This little light of Mine”

Carnlea – Parking for “Hole in 1”

Crawfordsburn – Roadside parking in village

Crawfordsburn Country Park – Park closes at 9PM, though cars can exit using the one-way system at any time

Helens Bay/Grey point – Parking for “Kiddies Hollow”

Cultra – Parking for Regatta Battery

Holywood - There should be ample on-street parking in the areas surrounding the train station.

It may be an idea to park in Holywood and use bus, train or friend to get you to Bangor. Then your car is close by when you want to go home.

There are morning services around 9 or 10 which will get you from Holywood to Bangor, though the Journey Planner did not go past 23^rd August.

Public Transport:

Bangor and Holywood are both well served by Buses and trains. Both can be checked on the translink website.

Refreshments and Meal:

A pub visit after the walk would be in order to relax and socialise. Anyone intersted in having a meal after the pub/event let me know and I will try to organise a venue.

 Here are a list of caches we will be passing along the way (New ones in BOLD)

Though a quick search will show the many others close by.

I will update the page as more information becomes available:

Updated 02 September with cache placement update, Crawfordsburn Country Park info, link to North Down Coastal Path leaflet, Woodland cafe closing time, toilets and general formating..

Updated 04 September to include FTF draw, and include new caches in listing.