Days Out NI
Greenway & cycle trail Bangor

Helen's Bay to Bangor Cycle Path (NCN 93)

A free, traffic-free coastal ride from Helen's Bay beach to Bangor's Pickie Fun Park.

5 photos
Open accessRide it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
BangorGreenway & cycle trail
Get directionsOfficial website
5.4kmDistance
25 minutesHow long
FreeCost
TarmacSurface
Buggy okBest for

Helen's Bay to Bangor Cycle Path (NCN 93) — A free, traffic-free coastal ride from Helen's Bay beach to Bangor's Pickie Fun Park.

  • Distance: About 5.4km / 3.4 miles one way.
  • Surface: Mostly smooth tarmac, with short loose and rocky sections near the shore.
  • Gradient: Gently undulating coastal path, not flat railway-line going.
  • Traffic-free: Yes, 100% traffic-free for the signed Route 93.
  • Bike hire: None on the route — bring your own bikes.
  • Buggy / scooter: A sturdy buggy copes; the loose and narrow sections make it harder for road buggies and scooters.
Plan your visit

The ride along the coast

Route 93 covers about 5.4km (3.4 miles) between Greypoint at Helen's Bay and Pickie Fun Park in Bangor, and it's traffic-free the whole way. The surface is around 94% asphalt, with a few short loose or unsealed stretches where the path runs close to the rocks and beach. Because it's a coastal path rather than a converted railway line, it rolls gently rather than staying flat, and a couple of sections narrow as they pass the shore. You ride past Crawfordsburn beach, Stricklands Glen and Smelt Mill Bay, with Belfast Lough open beside you most of the way. Confident young cyclists will love it; very small riders or anyone on stabilisers may want to walk the rougher patches.

Free Traffic-free Mostly tarmac 5.4km Coastal Train at both ends
Good to know before you go:

Greenways and coastal routes across NI host seasonal sportives, family cycle days and ranger-led events through the year; check listings for dates near you.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🚲Bikes (or hire on the day)Check whether you bring your own or can hire at the start.
  • 🪖Helmets for everyoneEspecially the kids — a comfy helmet makes the whole spin better.
  • 💧Water and snacksNot every route has a café on it, so pack a little something.
  • 🧥A light layerYou warm up cycling but cool down at stops — easy to peel on and off.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free
Start / parking
Helen's Bay car park (Greypoint) with toilets, or the Bangor end near Pickie Fun Park
Distance
About 5.4km / 3.4 miles one way
Surface
Mostly smooth tarmac, with short loose and rocky sections near the shore
Gradient
Gently undulating coastal path, not flat railway-line going
Traffic-free?
Yes, 100% traffic-free for the signed Route 93
Bike hire
None on the route — bring your own bikes
Buggy / scooter friendly
A sturdy buggy copes; the loose and narrow sections make it harder for road buggies and scooters
Toilets / food
Toilets at Helen's Bay and Crawfordsburn Country Park; cafe at Crawfordsburn and many in Bangor
How long to allow
25 minutes to an hour to ride; half a day with stops
Address
Helen's Bay car park, Greypoint, Helen's Bay, Bangor BT19; finishes at Pickie Fun Park, Marine Gardens, Bangor BT20 5AG
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
How long is the route?
About 5.4km / 3.4 miles one way
Is it traffic-free?
Yes, 100% traffic-free for the signed Route 93
Can I hire a bike?
None on the route — bring your own bikes
Is it buggy and scooter friendly?
A sturdy buggy copes; the loose and narrow sections make it harder for road buggies and scooters
Getting there

Helen's Bay to Bangor Cycle Path (NCN 93) starts at Helen's Bay car park (Greypoint) with toilets, or the Bangor end near Pickie Fun Park. Tap below for directions to the start.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around BangorSee what else is close by More greenways & trails across NITraffic-free routes to walk and cycle
The story

About this trail

Route 93 is the North Down stretch of the National Cycle Network, running along the North Down Coastal Path between Helen's Bay and Bangor. It links two well-loved seaside spots and threads through Crawfordsburn Country Park, one of the most visited country parks in Northern Ireland.

The wider coastal path continues west past Helen's Bay through Cultra toward Holywood, around 16km of shoreline in total, though only the signed Route 93 section is kept traffic-free and rideable for families. Plans to upgrade the longer coastal path have been discussed by Ards and North Down Borough Council and Sustrans to make more of it safe for walking, wheeling and cycling.