Where to go · County Antrim
Forest bathing at Cave Hill Country Park
Woodland, heath and grassland on the hill above north Belfast, taking in the Belfast Castle estate and gardens.
Cave Hill rises above north Belfast and its country park mixes woodland with species-rich grassland, heath, moorland and meadow. The Belfast Castle estate and its gardens sit within it, and the Milewater Stream runs down through Carr's Glen. Land at Ballyhagan and Hazelwood is a local nature reserve. Cattle graze parts of the park to look after the grassland.
For woodland, the Estate Trail is the one to choose: a circular walk of about 2.4 miles through the trees, with some climbing. The shorter Castle Trail loops through the castle gardens. Both start from the second car park on the main drive to Belfast Castle from Innisfayle Park on the Antrim Road. The full Cavehill Trail climbs onto the open hill to McArt's Fort and needs good fitness; part of it has been closed for erosion repairs. Keep dogs on a short lead and give the cattle space.
Practical
- Managed by
- Belfast City Council
- Parking
- Car parks at the Innisfayle Park, Grays Lane and Upper Hightown Road entrances
- Terrain
- Woodland paths with climbs; open hill on the Cavehill Trail
- Nearest station
- Whiteabbey, about 10 minutes by car
- Facilities
- Picnic areas and visitor centre
- Opening and entry
- Free; opens 7:30am daily, closing times change through the year
- Official page
- belfastcity.gov.uk
Last updated 4 November 2026. Paths, parking and access can change, so check before you visit. Spotted something out of date? Please let us know.
Guides who run sessions here
No guides listed at Cave Hill Country Park yet
Search for a guide near you. If you guide here, list your practice for free and add Cave Hill Country Park to your venues.
More woodlands in County Antrim
All venues in County Antrim
Breen ForestRemote Glenshesk forest with a small reserve of ancient native oak
Colin Glen Forest ParkWooded river glen on the edge of west Belfast, with ponds and small waterfalls
Glenariff Forest ParkSteep wooded glen with a boardwalk past waterfalls, mosses and fernsPhotos: Breen Forest, Northcoast1985 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Colin Glen Forest Park, Eric Jones (CC BY-SA 2.0); Glenariff Forest Park, Giorgio Galeotti (CC BY 4.0).