Glenariff Forest Park, Scenic Trail

(3 reviews)

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.

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Glenariff Forest Park, Scenic Trail



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  • 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!

    Fergus at 6:26 pm
  • 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 !

    Ruth Miller at 10:56 am
  • Stunning and peaceful. Good for the would.

    Christine Smith at 6:41 pm
  • 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

    Route Description

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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.

    Point of Interest

    Views of Mull of Kintyre, waterfall

    Getting to the start

    Accessed via the A43 – Ballymena to Cushendall Road.

    Public transport

    Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk

    Facilities

    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

    Accessibility Grade

    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.