Castlewellan Forest Park - Slievenaslat Walk

This steep climb through the forest provides a series of viewpoints offering panoramic views of the Mourne Mountains and surrounding drumlin landscape of Co Down.

County

Down

Distance

2.7 miles

OS Map

Sheet 29

Nearest Town

Castlewellan

Route Shape

Circular

Route Type

Forest, Hill, Lakeland, Woodland

Terrain

Strenuous including steep climbs

Grid Reference (Start)

J335364

Grid Reference (End)

J335364

Point of Interest

Views of the Mourne Mountains, Castlewellan Castle, lake and gardens

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 yellow waymarkers.

Starting at the Lakeside Car Park, follow the north side of the lake before starting the steep climb to the summit of Slievenaslat (272 metres). Openings within the forest and the summit itself provide panoramic views of the Mourne Mountains and the drumlin landscape of Co.Down before commencing your descent.

The most strenuous walk in the Park, this trail is rocky in places with steep gradients and numerous steps both up and down. Variable and uneven trail surfaces are present including large loose material including rocks and roots.

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 5

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.