Glenariff Forest Park, Scenic Trail
The Trail allows the more able person to enjoy walking through mature woodland, along the edges of steep sided river gorges with waterfalls and open moorland. This trail also takes you past some spectacular features including a steep river gorge and spectacular waterfalls. One of the highlights of this walk is the views of Mull of Kintyre on a clear day.
County Antrim
Distance 5.5 miles
OS Map Sheet 9
Terrain Forest paths, steep in places
Nearest Town Cushendall
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference D210202
Route Type Woodland
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Part of the Scenic Walk in Glenariff is currently closed, due to felling works to remove trees that are infected with the disease Phytophthora Ramorum. Diversions are in place. Please refer to the Forest Service NI link below for up-to-date information.
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The route is sign posted from the car park and around the trail.
The trail first takes you down the Inver River gorge, nearly to the Ess-na-Crub Waterfall. This part of the trail is set in mature woodland with varied woodland flora including bluebells. Once you cross the river at the bottom of the trail, you begin a long and winding climb from about 60 metres elevation to 260 metres, over about 1.1km.
From the upper sections of the route there are views of the Glens and of the Mull of Kintyre across the sea. You ford the upper reaches of the Glenariff river at the top of the trail. At this point you are on peat moorland. Your way back gives spectacular views straight down the Glen to the coast and the sea beyond.
These walks are 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 – link below.
Views of Mull of Kintyre, waterfall
Accessed via the A43 – Ballymena to Cushendall Road.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Car park (fee charged), Picnic areas, Café, Shop, Toilets (disabled access), Camping and Caravaning, Electronic ‘In-Touch’ Information Kiosk, Way-marked/nature trails, Lecture room/Classroom, Permanent Exhibition, Guided tours available. The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility: – Café (wheelchair accessible) – Shop (wheelchair accessible) – Visitors Centre – Disabled toilets
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
Glenariff Forest Park, Scenic Trail
Best to avoid the official carpark £5 (in coins only, like who has coins nowadays? Try Laragh Lodge Restaurant…free parking and pretty good food!
My husband and I being elderly and quiet (no children, no dogs) and visiting at times when there are not so many folk about have often seen red squirrels.
Yes, of course the paths are steep. This is a dramatic glacial Glen and the more stunning for it !
Stunning and peaceful. Good for the would.