Carnmoney Hill
Carnmoney Hill is a green oasis in an urban area, and is rich in both history and wildlife. Walkers can choose between a gentle stroll around the foot of Carnmoney Hill; a lower woodland walk (lasting approx 30 mins); or a hilltop walk (lasting over an hour).
There are some steep inclines, but in return you have the promise of wonderful views over Belfast Lough and the surrounding countryside.
County Antrim
Distance 1 miles
OS Map Sheet 15
Terrain Off road tracks
Nearest Town Carnmoney village
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference J342828
Route Type Hill, Woodland
There are 3 walks around this site waymarked with red, yellow and blue arrows. The red route is the shortest, the blue is the longest walk to the top of the hill and the best views – across Belfast Lough, south to the Mournes, NW to Slemish Mtn, and north to the Antrim Coast.
A Welcome Board is in place at the entrance. The Board details the choice of walking routes.
The walking routes are also detailed on a leaflet which is available from the Woodland Trust and available for download here.
Wildlife, ponds, hilltop views, children’s play area, Victorian well
From the M2 proceed onto the M5. At the end of the M5 you will see a roundabout; follow the sign for Carrickfergus. At the next roundabout take the first left signed to Glengormley. This is Station Road. Proceed straight ahead to the mini roundabout. Go straight ahead at this roundabout onto the O’Neill Road. Travel uphill and take the first right turn into Knockenagh Avenue. A short distance ahead, you will see the entrance to Carnmoney Hill on the left hand side. Park at the lay-by.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Car parking is available at the lay-by at Knockenagh Avenue. The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility: – Disabled toilets – There are disabled toilets in the Community Center, at the bottom of the site, but are only available when Center is open.
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
Carnmoney Hill
Nice hike, nice view when the sky is clear, well kept, trail marked.
Only one thing to say, when you are at the start just follow blue trail to go at the top, you don’t follow the map colour that it s provided here cause the red colour is for a pond trail. I did it and i was wrong, but i really enjoyed it.
The blue trail is quite steep but the view points are beautiful! The map they provide is a bit vague but there are plenty of signs with coloured arrows throughout the trek. If doing the blue trail I’d recommend hiking boots as some descents have loose stones and gravel! A lovely hike tucked away, can’t believe I haven’t done it before.
It’s great to have this opportunity to get out of the city. I’ve lived in Belfast for almost 16 years now and didn’y realise until this year, (2018), what was right on my doorstep, so to speak.
I enjoyed my first walk at Carnmoney hill and I will return to it. So far I’ve climbed Divis, The Cave Hill, to the top of the tree line at the Mournes, Fortwilliam and now Carnmoney.
It is my intention to continue to find new walks to conquer, and enjoy, as well as continuing to revisit places. Carnmoney will become a 2nd favourite, next to the Mourne Mountains, for the time being at least.