Castlewellan Forest Park

One of Northern Ireland's most famous lakes, a stunning Victorian Castle, incredible panoramic views, scenic walking trails, 27km of Mountain Bike Trails, Nature Play perfect for the kids, an onsite multi-activity centre, hedge maze and equestrian centre, Castlewellan Forest Park boasts all of this and more making it a must-visit for all ages.

With flowing singletrack and panoramic views of the Mourne Mountains, the Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails offer a wide variety of exciting trails to suit everyone from beginners and families right through to experienced riders. The green and blue trails are ideal for learning ‘biking basics’ and developing techniques whereas the longer red trail with black options will suit more experienced mountain bikers looking for that all important adrenaline rush. The Pump Track (located at the trailhead) is perfect for honing your bike handling skills!

If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground the forest park has a 7.5 mile (12 kilometers) walk trail network featuring breath-taking views to the Mourne Mountains as well as some of the oldest and rarest existing trees in the British Isles.  All the trails start from the Lakeside Car Park and take in many of the key points of interest including the Annesley Garden and Arboretum (a mixture of informal and formal design with terraces, fountains, ornamental gates and flower borders and home to some of the oldest existing specimens in the British Isles) and Moorish Tower as well as maximising the iconic views of the Mourne Mountains from the summit of Slievenaslat.

Perfect for the kids, a brand new play structure has recently been installed in the forest park.  ‘Animal Wood’ is designed for four to eleven year olds and is located beside the Peace Maze.   Featuring a short path, Animal Wood provides lots of opportunities for playing on wild woodland animals including a badger and its den, a red squirrel and a giant spider.  In addition it boasts a wooden play structure with a tower in the image of The Moorish Tower where children can enjoy the climbing wall, fireman’s pole and rope-bridge over to a hollow tree stump slide and Red Kite nest that are sure to keep the kids entertained! Check out our blog 'Kids Go Wild for Nature Play' for one families first hand account of the play area.

Beside ‘Animal Wood’ you’ll find the Peace Maze, one of the world's largest permanent hedge mazes representing the path to a peaceful future for Northern Ireland. Planted in 2000 with community involvement, visitors can attempt to solve their way to the peace bell in the centre of the maze.

Some of the walk trails (see below) within the park are suitable for people with limited mobility on scooter. Manual wheelchairs - the total distance including the Peace Maze and Gardens is around 6 miles and would recommend a challenge to any pushers at any one visit.