Broughshane – Slemish Mountain, Trails and Nature Experiences

Broughshane is a rewarding destination for families who want to combine nature, activity and local history. The landscape is dominated by Slemish Mountain: the mountain lies just outside Broughshane, rises approximately 437 metres above the surrounding fields and forms the central core of an extinct volcano. There are also circular trails, woodland and riverside walks, as well as cultural sites that make a variety of day plans possible.

Slemish Mountain and Trails through the Countryside

Anyone who wants to combine a walk with a striking landscape experience will find a 1.5-kilometre circular trail to the summit of Slemish Mountain and back. In good weather, the circuit takes approximately one hour. The approximate duration and route length help you fit this excursion into your family day accordingly.

Another option is the Buttermilk Bridge Walk. The 1.5-mile circular route starts and ends at the car park at Houston's Mill in Broughshane. This gives you two differently described walking experiences to choose from: a circuit around the distinctive mountain and a circular route connected with Houston's Mill. Little Acorn Wood and the Riverside Walk are also located behind Main Street. The path from Little Acorn follows the River Braid and adds a waterside route to the excursions.

Broughshane Waterfowl Park also focuses on nature. Walks through the woodland and along the river are possible there. The park is considered one of only two places in the world where all seven swan species can occur. In Broughshane, volunteer work transformed a silted-up pond with a large marshland area into a habitat for ornamental waterfowl; Little Acorn Wood was also created.

Culture and History for More Relaxed Holiday Days

Alongside its trails, Broughshane offers several starting points for cultural discoveries. Since 2011, Broughshane Community Museum has been housed on the top floor of Broughshane House. It preserves thousands of locally connected objects from areas such as medicine, the military, agriculture and education. For families, a visit can therefore provide a vivid complement to a day in the countryside, as the area's history can be explored through a range of different subjects.

The history of the village also includes St. Patrick's Church in Broughshane. It was built in 1765 by Charles O’Neill of Shane’s Castle, extended in 1829 and expanded in 1859 with a chancel, transept and sacristy. Another historical landmark is Raceview Mill, which dates from 1806. The Thatch is one of the few surviving two-storey thatched buildings in Northern Ireland.

Active Days and Regional Orientation

For a cycling trip, the ecos Cycle Trail runs mainly on roads. Some sections use faster roads and are not suitable for everyone. The trail passes through the villages of Broughshane and Buckna, runs via Glenarm, one of the nine Glens of Antrim, and heads towards the Irish Sea. Plan this tour according to your preferred activity level and the route in question.

A special connection between landscape and tradition can be seen on 17 March: Slemish Mountain is associated with Saint Patrick and is climbed by large crowds as a place of pilgrimage on St Patrick’s Day. A festival is held for the occasion in Broughshane. If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house, you can choose your accommodation according to your preferred combination of walks, nature observation, culture and regional excursions. This keeps your daily routine flexible without requiring you to commit to just one type of holiday.

More Destinations for Your Planning

For further orientation, you can also include the pages on Ballymena and Gracehill. With Slemish Mountain, the trails along the River Braid, the Waterfowl Park and its historic sites, Broughshane itself provides a varied basis for finding suitable accommodation and enjoying diverse holiday days.

For the higher-level travel overview: Ballymena.