Must Visit Forests in NI
Our forests and woodlands are open all year round and provide the ideal opportunity to explore the great outdoors. They are one of the most perfect places to spend a great family day because the majority have a range of onsite facilities such as convenient car parking, toilets, cafés and camping facilities. Whether you want to go on a lengthy stroll, take part in a more adrenaline fueled activity such as mountain biking, look out for mini beasts or just want to spend some time in nature they cover it all.
Get Out More…Explore a Forest with our top picks below of the best forests to visit this summer.
- Binevenagh Forest, Co. Londonderry
Binevenagh is a mountain situated near Limavady, with stunning cliffs that overlook Lough Foyle and is renowned for its impressive cliffs. It is home also to a standing stone that has become known as the Finn MacCool’s Finger Stone, relating to the famous giant reputed to have lived in the area many years ago.
- Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Co. Armagh
Slieve Gullion Forest Park offers the unmissable opportunity to experience tranquil woodland trails, stunning views across the Ring of Gullion, an adventure play park and the famous ‘Giant’s Lair’ – an innovative magical living storybook, taking visitors on an unforgettable trail of intertwined fairy house and arts features. Also on site are toilets and a café.
- Gortin Glen Forest Park, Co. Tyrone
Gortin Glen Forest Park is located just six miles from Omagh, Co Tyrone at the western gateway to the Sperrin mountains. It is a forest with lots of appeal for adventure seekers because of its state of the art play park, mountain bike trails, walking trails and horse riding trails. Also on site are toilets and a café.
- Drumkeeragh Forest, Co. Down
Drumkeeragh Forest is a mixed coniferous forest located on the lower slopes of Slieve Croob, near Ballynahinch. The forest offers a range of walking and horse riding trails with extensive views across County Down.
- Glenariff Forest Park, Co. Antrim
Glenariff Forest Park is most famous for its spectacular waterfalls. There are three waterfalls and forest trails that offer picturesque panoramic views and relaxing riverside walks. There’s also a visitor centre, exhibition, interactive display, shop, caravan site and a seasonal restaurant on site.
- Lough Navar Forest, Co. Fermanagh
Lough Navar Forest is undoubtedly one of the jewels in the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark. Located approximately 3 miles outside the village of Derrygonnelly, this spectacular forest comprises of 2,600 hectares of bog, heath, open water, native woodland and coniferous forest. You will find car parking facilities, picnic areas, viewpoints and short walks to interesting features on site.
- Belvoir Forest Park, Belfast
Belvoir Forest Park covers 75 hectares along the south bank of the River Lagan. The forest park is quite unique in the UK as it remains a working forest within a city. It is full of bird life and other wildlife including the red squirrel, one of the few places they can be seen relatively easily and is within easy reach of Belfast’s outer ring road.
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To discover a range of other outdoor places and trails to explore throughout Northern Ireland visit our interactive map.
