TOP 5 WOODLAND DOG WALKS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
Dog owners in Northern Ireland are often asking me for recommendations on great woodland dog walks to take their four legged friends to so I thought I would write about my 5 favourite woodland dog walk locations in Northern Ireland. If you have any additional locations to add please let me know & I’ll go and check them out.
1. Crawfordsburn Country Park, Helen’s Bay, Northern Ireland.
A photograph taken in Crawfordsburn Country Park, Helen’s Bay, Northern Ireland. To learn more about dog portrait sessions please click here
Google map for parking - https://maps.app.goo.gl/573ZX2Amn9qCsx8fA
This dog walk in Northern Ireland is found just outside of the beautiful seaside town of Helen’s Bay. Crawfordsburn Country Park is one of Northern Ireland’s most popular country parks & has a variety of well maintained paths & a range of facilities including a Woodland Cafe, toilets & a seasonal ice cream truck.
My favourite dog walk starts from the main carpark, head back down the hill to meet the river path. Turn right & follow the river path as it climbs up the hill & under the impressive railway bridge. Continue along the woodland paths as it climbs up into the woodland before descending back down to the river. The path continues to climb up the other side of the glen through beautiful mature trees before opening out into a series of peaceful wildflower meadows. Continue through the meadows as they gradually slope towards the sea, from here you have a beautiful view out across Belfast Lough. The path continues back into woodland as it slopes steeply down to join the beach path. When you reach the beach path turn left and loop back towards the main carpark.
Total length of the woodland walk - 4km
2. Tollymore Forest Park, Bryansford, Northern Ireland.
A photograph taken in Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle, Northern Ireland. To learn more about dog portrait sessions please click here
Google map for carpark - https://maps.app.goo.gl/GB32UoZCadQjTnZ1A
Charges - carpark charges apply, it’s currently £5 per car
It would be impossible to compile a list of top woodland dog walks in Northern Ireland without including Tollymore Forest Park. Tollymore Forest Park is an impressive 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. It’s has stunning woodlands, iconic stone bridges & panoramic views of the surrounding mountains & nearby coastline. There are toilets by the main carpark, a dedicated camping area, a coffee truck & bins along the main paths. There are 3 main trails through Tollymore Forest Park which are clearly marked by blue, red & black arrows.
My personal favourite trail is the red trail, known as the Rivers Trail. The walk leaves the main carpark & heads down the Azalea Walk towards the Shimna river to the Hermitage, the trail passes through broadleaved & coniferous trees along past the iconic stepping stones before crossing the river at Parnell’s bridge. The trail then continues following the Spinkwee River downstream, past the cascades and back to the Meeting of the Waters. The trail goes through coniferous plantations, past the duck pond and re-crosses the Shimna River over the Old Bridge, before returning to the car park.
Total length of the walk - 5.2km
3. Cairn Wood, Holywood, Northern Ireland.
A photograph taken in Cairn Wood, Holywood, Northern Ireland. To learn more about dog portrait sessions please click here
Google map for carpark - https://maps.app.goo.gl/AB1oTUPtpdfhGPZ48
My favourite local woodland, Cairn Wood, is located in Holywood hills just outside of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Cairn Wood, also known as Ballysallagh Forest is a well maintained woodland with a mixture of broadleaved woodland & coniferous forest. The woodland has toilets, bins by the main entrance only and a lovely coffee van found within the carpark from Thursday to Sunday.
The woodland has undergone a lot of work in recent years and now has a variety of well maintained paths throughout the forest. My favourite walk is the circular trail which as the name suggests loops the woodland. From the carpark take the first path to the left and continue along this path as it climbs up into the forest. Continue along the clearly marked paths as they meander along the woodland boundary climbing up to beautiful views across the Holywood hills as you reach the back of the woodland. Then continue along the perimeter path as it loops back down through the woodland by the quarry before returning to the carpark.
Total length of the walk - 4km
4. Peatlands Park,Dungannon, Northern Ireland.
A photograph taken in Peatlands Park, Dungannon, Northern Ireland. To learn more about dog portrait sessions please click here
Google map for carpark - https://maps.app.goo.gl/YrFofd4WbCG5jojB7
This dog walk is found near Dungannon & is perhaps the most diverse and quiet of the woodland dog walks. There are 5 marked trails within the woodland ranging in length from 1.6km to 8.8km. I personally like to walk a combinations of a few of the trails rather than follow one specific so that the walk takes in a little of everything Peatlands Park has to offer which includes the woodland, the bog walk & the old railway tracks.
From the main carpark start off following the Bog Walk taking you through the peat bogs on the raised board walks, as you head out the top of Derryhubbert Bog join the Woodland Walk and follow it over the Lagg Stream through the woodlands and follow it as it loops back to the main carpark past the train tracks.
Total length of the walk - 5km
5. Castlewellan Forest Park, Northern Ireland.
A photograph taken in Castlewellan Forest Park, Northern Ireland. To learn more about dog portrait sessions please click here
Castlewellan has a variety of walks from forest trails & a beautiful loop walk around the lake. There are toilets, a coffee truck & camping facilities if you fancy making it a weekend trip. Castlewellan also has a beautiful walled garden which is the central focal point for the National Arboretum. It’s got fountains, ponds, stunning greenhouses & beautiful views. Whether you are after a gentle stroll or a long peaceful walk, Castlewellan has something for everyone.
Car parking charges apply.