Castlewellan Forest Park – Cypress Pond Walk
Beginning at Castlewellan Lake this trail winds its way uphill through mature trees to offer a tranquil view of Cypress Pond.
County Down
Distance 3.1 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
Part of the new Castlewellan Walking Trails launched in November 2014, this trail is signposted from the Lakeside car park – follow the purple waymarkers.
Starting in the Lakeside Car Park, follow the southern shore of the lake until the western corner, this trail then begins to climb, winding its way through mature trees. Walkers are rewarded on reaching the top with a tranquil view of the Cypress Pond. The trail then descends through the trees back to the lake shore which can be followed back to the trailhead.
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
Views of Mourne Mountains, Cypress Pond and Castlewellan 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. The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility: – Café (wheelchair accessible) – Disabled toilets – Disabled parking – Hearing loop system.
Grade 5
- There may not be a formalised path, and variable, single file trails are to be expected.
- Gradients and cross slope could be expected to be steep and not limited.
- Obstacles and surface breaks of greater than 75mm measured across the line of the path to be expected.
- Overhanging branches are possible. 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 – Cypress Pond Walk