Castlewellan Forest Park - Lakeside Walk

This walk circumnavigates Castlewellan Lake providing good views of Slievenaslat and Castlewellan Castle.

The Green / Easy mountain bike trail also follows this trail, which is on well maintained wide forest paths and relatively flat.

County

Down

Distance

2.4 miles

OS Map

Sheet 29

Nearest Town

Castlewellan

Route Shape

Circular

Route Type

Forest, Lakeland, Woodland

Terrain

Easy

Grid Reference (Start)

J335364

Grid Reference (End)

J335364

Point of Interest

Ice House, views of Castlewellan Castle

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Mournes

Route Description

Part of the new Castlewellan Walking Trails launched in November 2014, this trail is signposted from the Lakeside car park - follow the green waymarkers. This is also the Green / Easy mountain bike trail.

This relatively flat trail leads around Castlewellan Lake, a natural lake extended by the Annesley family early in the 19th centuary. With excellent views across the lake and the surrounding woodland the trail passes close to the Ice House and the iconic Castle built in 1856.

This is an 'Easy' walk suitable for most people in good health including those with limited mobility and some buggies. Surfaces are even and consistent throughout. The gradient is relatively flat.

This walk is 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.

Getting to the Start (by Public Transport)

Translink - journeyplanner.translink.co.uk

Getting to the Start (by Car)

From Castlewellan the forest is signposted from Main Street.

Accessibility Grade

Grade 3

Accessible Facilities

The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility:

	Café (wheelchair accessible)
	Disabled toilets
	Disabled parking

Facilities

Car park (fee charged), café, toilets (disabled access), picnic areas, The Peace Maze, Activity Centre, lecture room/ classroom, camping & caravaning, orienteering route, mountain bike trails.