Forest bathing at Slieve Gullion Forest Park

Slieve Gullion Forest Park sits on the side of the mountain at the heart of the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, south of Newry. Most of the forest is conifer woodland climbing steeply up the slopes, with a 10 km scenic drive looping round them and a trail on to the summit cairns and the Lake of Sorrows. Lower down, Hawthorn Hill has a 2 km walk through mostly broadleaf, mature woodland.

The main car park, visitor information point and play park are together, and the courtyard in the middle of the park has a café and a wildlife pond. The children's story trail, Fionn's Giant Adventure, winds through over a mile of woodland next to the play park, so that corner is busy with families. For a quieter time, take the Hawthorn Hill walk or wander the walled garden. Felling to control larch disease is ongoing, so some paths may close at times.