Castlewellan Forest Park – Annesley Garden Walk
Beginning at Castlewellan Lake this trail journeys through the Annesley Garden, National Arborteum and takes in a variety of Lakes and Ponds within the forest.
County Down
Distance 2.4 miles
OS Map Sheet 29
Terrain Moderate with some steep hills
Nearest Town Castlewellan
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference J335364
Route Type Forest, Lakeland, Woodland
Starting in the Lakeside Car Park, follow the waymarkers along Lime Avenue until reaching the Annesley Garden and National Arboretum. You can then choose a short route back (1.1 mile total) or further explore the Park (2.2 mile total) by continuing uphill to circle the Duck Pond and Mitchell’s Lake before returning on the wide, even path down the hill to the lake shore.
This is a ‘Moderate’ walk suitable for those with a good standard of fitness. The surface is variable but stable, may be slightly uneven and include loose material. It includes some steep climbs and descents.
This walk is situated in a working forest environment and may be subject to diversion and closure from time to time.
Up to date information is available on the Forest Service web site.
Annesley Gardens, National Arborteum, Mitchell’s Lake
From Castlewellan the forest is signposted from Main Street.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Car park (fee charged), café, toilets (disabled access), picnic areas, The Peace Maze, Activity Centre, lecture room/ classroom, camping & caravaning, orienteering route, mountain bike trails.
Grade 4
- The path may not be hard and firm in all weathers with loose stones (not bigger than 10cm) with occasional tree roots and pot holes and will be at least 80cm wide for its entire length.
- The path gradients and cross slopes will be greater than 6°.
- Obstacles such as steps or stiles are to be expected and surface breaks may be larger 75mm in width.
- There will be a clear head height of greater than 2.10m for the entire length of the route.
- Passing places and rest areas may not be formalised or provided.
Comments will be reviewed and those that cause offence will be removed. This is at the discretion of WalkNI.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the walking routes listed on WalkNI safely and easily.
If you have come across any problems whilst walking a route, please let us so we can pass on any issues to the appropriate management body responsible for maintaining the walk.
Walk Route
Castlewellan Forest Park – Annesley Garden Walk
My husband and I did the Annesley Garden Walk this morning and thoroughly enjoyed it. We are both in our seventies and managed the big hill with a few stops. We didnt see any name on the two small lakes we passed. I see from the web page that the first was a Duck Pond and the second was Mitchell’s lake. ( which had been mentioned on one of the sign posts earlier) It took us just over an hour but well worth it.