Belfast Castle Estate
A walk through the woodland and parkland of the Belfast Castle Estate against the dramatic backdrop of Cave Hill.
County Antrim
Distance 2.2 miles
OS Map Sheet 15 & Belfast Street Finder
Terrain Gravel paths steep hills
Nearest Town Fortwilliam, Belfast
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference J328791
Route Type Parkland & Grassland
From the car park just before Belfast Castle this route follows the blue waymarked “Estate Trail”. Cross the main driveway and take the path that goes down the hill, turning left in front of the castle (outside the security fence). Turn right down past the Adventurous Playground and its car park.
As the main driveway veers to the right, take the small path on the left leading uphill. This will take you past the rear of the Millennium Maze, on the site of the old rose garden. This path will lead you on to another tarmac driveway. Turn left and follow the drive uphill for a short distance. Where the drive veers left, take the gravel path to your right, keeping to the right of the next junction. You will soon come to the Volunteer’s Well on your left with a stream on your right. At the well on your left, continue uphill before taking the second gravel path on your left to begin the descent back towards the castle.
At the next two junctions keep right. Occasionally you will get glimpses of Belfast Castle and the city below through the trees.
This path continues along the back of the castle for some distance, before doubling back on itself and descending on to the main driveway. Turn right and follow the footpath until you reach the main gates to the park.
Watch for traffic as you cross the driveway and take the footpath ahead. This leads back up the hill to the car park, past the sculpture of a peregrine on your right.
Belfast Castle, Cave Hill, city views
Car Park at Belfast Castle signposted off the Antrim Road.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Toilets and cafe in Belfast Castle (basement). Opening hours apply. The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility: – Café (wheelchair accessible) – 12pm – 3pm Mon – Sat – Disabled toilets – Disabled parking.
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
Belfast Castle Estate