Top Northern Ireland walks that will brighten up your Instagram account

There is no denying that Northern Ireland has an abundance of picture-perfect walks that will make you stop in your tracks to take out the camera.

And as staycations become the top trend of 2021, photo-sharing apps like Instagram are filled with people showing off the natural beauty of home.

A recent study carried out by Shoe Zone has revealed the Top 10 Instagrammed walks across Northern Ireland to provide inspiration for those looking to explore their local area.

The research looked at popular walks across Northern Ireland and cross-referenced this with Instagram data to see which walks give the most Instagrammable opportunities.

These are the top 10 most Instagrammed walks in Northern Ireland:

1. Derry City Walls (444k posts)

Houses outside the walled enclosure with St. Eugene's Cathedral. On the right and on the wall there are old cannons. (Getty)

A slice of Derry’ s history, this walk takes you around the walls created in the 17th century that were built as defences against settlers.

2. North Antrim Cliff Path (305k posts)

(Sophie McLaughlin)

This coastal route starts at Dunseverick Castle and finishes up at the infamous Giant’s Causeway – one of Northern Ireland’s most photographed places made up of roughly 40,000 basalt columns that are all interlocked after the result of an ancient volcanic eruption.

3. Slieve Donard (134k posts)

Slieve Donard, Co Down (Getty Images)

The highest mountain in Northern Ireland, standing at a height of 850m. On clear days, views from the summit of Slieve Donard stretch across the likes of Wales, Scotland and The Isle of Man.

4. Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (86k posts)

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (Getty Images)

Constructed by fishermen in 1755, this historic rope bridge connects cliffs across the Atlantic Ocean, to Carrick-a-Rede where the only building is a fisherman’s cottage. Please check National Trust updates before travelling as the bridge is currently closed due to social distancing.

5. Ballintoy and Portbraddan (43k posts)

Ballintoy, County Antrim, Northern Ireland (Getty)

This beautiful seaside stroll along Antrim’s Causeway Coast takes you to two of Northern Ireland’s most picturesque fishing villages, starting in Ballingtoy with its famous harbour featuring as the setting for Iron Islands in Game of Thrones and and finishing in Portbraddan.

6. Tollymore Mountain Trail and Drinns Trail (36k posts)

Old oak tree beside the Shimna River, Tollymore Forest Park, Mourne Mountains, near Newcastle (MyLoupe/UIG via Getty Images)

This mountain trail boasts beech woodland, conifer forests, and a stroll alongside Shimna and Spinkwee River before ascending up two towering hills – The Drinns. The easterly Drinn is the highest of the two, standing at 255.

7. Silent Valley (31k posts)

Water levels have dropped to around 63% (Michael Cooper)

Silent Valley is encompassed by the peace and tranquillity of the Mourne Mountains. The valley features a reservoir (that is the main water supply for most of County Down and Belfast), parkland, lakes, a pond and varying wildlife.

8. Mount Stewa rt Demesne (21k posts)

Mount Stewart is considered to be home to one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, alongside its neo-classical house situated on the land, a walk around Mount Stewart promises nothing but picturesque scenery.

9. Murlough National Nature Reserve (21k posts)

This nature reserve is a 6,000-year-old fragile sand dune system, that is home to an array of butterflies, wildflowers and birds.

10. Glenariff Forest Park (20k posts)

Inver River, Glenariff Forest Park, Glens of Antrim (Getty Images)

Glenariff, is one of nine in the Antrim Glens, these staggering waterfalls and glens provide the perfect backdrop to a spectacular walk.