The path between Carnalea and Swineley Bay. Here the path is entirely man-made of a tarmac surface approximately 2-3m wide. Looking at OS maps, this section appeared to not exist prior to c1970. SLOW has been painted as guidance for cyclists as the path suddenly turns and veers downhill around two blind bends. The W has been partially obscured by creeping vegetation.
The North Down Coastal Path extends for some 16 miles between Holywood and Orlock in north County Down. Although it has always been possible to walk the entire route along the shoreline, prior to 1970 much of the area was still in private ownership. In the 1960s, the government, local councils and National Trust worked to together to get the path fully accessible and opened to all. This included, in many places, extensive works to create concrete and tarmac routes over what was the natural environment between Holywood and Bangor. Beyond Bangor it remains much wilder and unspoilt, particularly on the sections at Ballymacormick Point and Orlock. It was formally opened in 1971.