Quality Walk

Terrace Hill Trail

Minnowburn is a green refuge set on the fringe of Belfast, in the Lagan Valley Regional Park. Wooden chainsaw sculptures are dotted around the trail, there is a pond full of wildlife, and Terrace Hill has spectacular views of the Lagan Valley, to Beech woodland and the Lagan river. As well as guessing what the sculptures are about, see what wildlife you can spot.

 

County

Down

Distance

1.5 miles

OS Map

Sheet 15

Nearest Town

Belfast

Route Shape

Circular

Route Type

Riverside, Woodland

Terrain

Dirt, gravel & wooden boardwalk

Grid Reference (Start)

J325686

Grid Reference (End)

J325686

Point of Interest

Minnowburn Bridge

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Lagan Valley

Route Description

From the car park, follow the path from beside Minnowburn Bridge upstream, along the bank of the Minnowburn itself, with young broadleaved woodland on your right. After about 109 yards (100 metres), you'll come to a fork in the path with an engraved log sign. Take the left hand fork to the pond and around it, where you'll see some carved wood sculptures. Once you've completed the loop around the pond, go back to the fork in the path and take the left fork uphill. The path passes through younger woodland and climbs uphill to Terrace Hill Garden, with great views of the Lagan Valley along the way. Find more sculptures and enjoy the surroundings of the 1930s walled garden.

From the garden, take the steps from the west end of the garden up into the trees towards Terrace Hill House and follow the short path to Freddy's steps. Descend the steps and halfway down, take the path to the left, through the beech woodland where you will find more wood carved sculptures. At the end of the path, climb a couple of steps onto the Giant's Ring path. Turn right and follow this path to the Edenderry Road. Cross the road and take the path opposite down to the Lagan River. At the river, turn right and follow the river bank path with the carr (wet) woodland on your right, back to the car park.

 

Note: This walk crosses agricultural land in parts. There are two fields in which you may encounter stock grazing. Always close gates behind you and please keep dogs under control.

 

Getting to the Start (by Public Transport)

Translink - journeyplanner.translink.co.uk

Getting to the Start (by Car)

Minnowburn is just of the Ring Road next to Shaw’s bridge. Follow the signs.

Getting to the Start (on Foot)

Cycling: Access is available through Lagan Valley Regional Park and is part of the National Cycle Network (route 9).
Boat: Access to a canoe dock is available from the Lagan.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed. Dogs are allowed but must be kept under control.

Accessibility Grade

Grade 5

Accessible Facilities

The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility:

Disabled toilets

Facilities

Toilet and refreshments nearby at Barnett’s Demesne or Forestside Shopping centre. Also free car parking, viewing point and canoe landing. Leaflets are available.

Publication

None

Publication Availability

N/a

Walk Location
Map of Northern Ireland
 
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