Belfast Castle Estate

From the car park just before Belfast Castle this route follows the blue waymarked “Estate Trail”. Cross the main driveway and take the path that goes down the hill, turning left in front of the castle (outside the security fence). Turn right down past the Adventurous Playground and its car park.

As the main driveway veers to the right, take the small path on the left leading uphill. This will take you past the rear of the Millennium Maze, on the site of the old rose garden. This path will lead you on to another tarmac driveway. Turn left and follow the drive uphill for a short distance. Where the drive veers left, take the gravel path to your right, keeping to the right of the next junction. You will soon come to the Volunteer’s Well on your left with a stream on your right. At the well on your left, continue uphill before taking the second gravel path on your left to begin the descent back towards the castle.

At the next two junctions keep right. Occasionally you will get glimpses of Belfast Castle and the city below through the trees.

This path continues along the back of the castle for some distance, before doubling back on itself and descending on to the main driveway. Turn right and follow the footpath until you reach the main gates to the park.

Watch for traffic as you cross the driveway and take the footpath ahead. This leads back up the hill to the car park, past the sculpture of a peregrine on your right.