Running/bike trails near Downpatrick/Belfast

[wicked]

Heading over in a few weeks... probably staying near Downpatrick, with some time in Belfast, too. Any particularly scenic/enjoyable running routes, bicycle paths, etc., near either? Maybe even a local road race?

Thanks in advance.

[Niall Quinn]

Out around the Quoile (2 miles NE of Dpk) would be a nice place for running / biking.

[The Gs Man]

Try www.trailbadger.com for a load of bike trails. From single path with jumps to family trails. Good site.

[Orior]

If you go up near Comber, try http://www.combergreenway.co.uk/ for good views of the back of loyalist housing estates.

If you have kids, then the Bangor to Crawfordsburn coastal path would also be a pleasant cycle, as would the Lagan towpath, which you could join at various places between Beal Feirste and Lisnagarvey.

[wicked]

Thanks for the links, Gs and Orior, and all the helpful info. Folks have entered a bunch of routes around Belfast in Nike's running website, too, so I'll probably try one of those.

[cokers]

If you're staying near Downpatrick then you should go to Castleward just outside Strangford. Its a national trust estate with miles and miles of roadways, gritted paths and trails over flat, slowly undulating or hilly ground. Spent many a morning or evening doing a few miles in there although I'd recommend sticking to the main routes if you dont know it that well for fear of getting lost.
Give it a rattle!