{"id":26073,"date":"2023-04-24T11:06:11","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T09:06:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=20900"},"modified":"2023-04-24T16:36:03","modified_gmt":"2023-04-24T14:36:03","slug":"glenariff-forest-park-county-antrim-walks","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/glenariff-forest-park-county-antrim-walks\/","title":{"rendered":"Glenariff Forest Park, County Antrim walks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pick from one of two circular gorge walks, each winding beside tumbling rivers and waterfalls through Glenariff Forest Park in Northern Ireland’s County Antrim <\/p>

By Chris Gee\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 24 April 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Known as the Queen of the Antrim Glens, Glenariff valley is defined by forests, rivers and glacial escarpments.<\/p>\n

The rivers Glenariff and Inver have cut right through this spectacular steep-sided gorge.<\/p>\n

These rivers can be lively and dramatic as they tumble over boulders and a series of impressive waterfalls. But then they become suddenly calm and tranquil, flowing lazily through oak<\/a> and beech woodland, sunlight streaming through the fresh new leaves.<\/p>\n

This humid and moist microclimate is home to rare ferns<\/a>, mosses and liverworts, as well as spruce, fir, pine and larch.<\/p>\n

The 4.6-mile\u00b2 Glenariff Forest Park spans both sides of \u00a0the valley, where there are a number of walking routes. Here, we\u2019ve picked two of the best, one moderate route (5.2 miles) and one short route (1.5 miles).<\/p>\n

Note that there is an admission charge for both cars (\u00a35) and pedestrians (\u00a32) entering the park.<\/p>\n

Northern Ireland walks<\/h4>\n

Northern Ireland\u2019s countryside is a walker\u2019s paradise. From the drama of the Causeway Coast and County Down\u2019s Mourne Mountains to the serenity of Glenariff Forest Park and Belfast Caslte, here are some of Northern Ireland\u2019s best walks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""A\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

Glenariff Forest Park walk \u2013 moderate route<\/h2>\n

5.2 miles\/8.4km | 3.5 hours | moderate\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The rocky gorges and fast-flowing waters of the Inver and Glenariff rivers are the main focal points, with some 22 waterfalls passed in the first half-mile of the walk alone.<\/p>\n

This route, starting and ending at Laragh Lodge, combines the red Waterfall Trail and the black Scenic Trail on a five-mile circuit, following maintained footpaths throughout.<\/p>\n

1. Laragh Lodge<\/h4>\n

Walk around the back of Laragh Lodge and join a path beside the turbulent confluence of the Glenariff and Inver rivers.<\/p>\n

Pay your dues at a park turnstile, then continue straight ahead. Ignore a bridge on the left; you will return this way at the end of the circuit. Follow the red waymarkers of the Waterfall Walk, heading upstream past numerous chutes and falls.<\/p>\n

As the gorge walls draw closer, the path takes to a wooden walkway built into the cliff. Deep within the ravine, the drama culminates in the thundering double drop of Ess-na-Larach. Several smaller cascades then lead to Hermit\u2019s Fall, the final big drop on the river.<\/p>\n

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In autumn and winter the rivers swell, accentuating their beauty\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

2. Scenic Trail<\/h4>\n

As the path veers away from the river, join the black waymarkers of the Scenic Trail. A short detour left here brings you to the park caf\u00e9 and visitor\u2019s centre, where displays highlight the history and ecology of the area.<\/p>\n

Back on the Scenic Trail, cross two tarmac roads and climb through pine trees to a large clearing with fine views down the length of Glenariff.<\/p>\n

3. Inver River<\/h4>\n

Continue climbing to a wooden footbridge over the upper Inver River, the highest point of the route. The track begins to descend now, emerging from the trees to reveal the full grandeur of the escarpments that enclose the northern side of the glen.<\/p>\n

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The trail climbs to the top of the valley\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

4. Ess-na-Crub Waterfall<\/h4>\n

Wind down through several switchbacks to reach the line of an old narrow-gauge railway, constructed in 1873 to transport iron ore from mountain mines towards the sea.<\/p>\n

At the bottom of the slope, cross a bridge over the Inver River, then turn right to admire Ess-na-Crub Waterfall. Cross another bridge over the Glenariff River, then turn right again to return to Laragh Lodge.<\/p>\n

Glenariff Forest Park map \u2013 moderate walk<\/h3>\n

OS Maps: Glenariff Forest Park walking route<\/a><\/p>\n

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Glenariff Forest Park walk \u2013 easy route<\/h2>\n

1.5 miles | 1 hour | easy<\/em><\/p>\n

1. Marking the way<\/h4>\n

Three waterfalls provide a spectacular focus for this woodland walk in one of Northern Ireland\u2019s most panoramic landscapes. The walk is waymarked throughout and easy to follow from the Visitor Centre car park.<\/p>\n

Descend steeply from the Visitor Centre car park to the bottom of the gorge and the first of the waterfalls.<\/p>\n

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Boardwalks lead through the reserve from one waterfall to the next\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
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2. The first fall<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

After one mile you will reach a waterfall. Glenariff<\/a> is home to rare ferns, mosses and liverworts and the woodland will be alive with birdsong. Turn left. Special walkways cut into the sides of the gorge provide a spectacular route allowing close inspection of the plantlife that abounds in this National Nature Reserve.<\/p>\n

3. Rainbow Bridge<\/h4>\n

A boardwalk continues along the valley bottom by Glenariff River to Rainbow Bridge. From here it\u2019s a steep climb back to the starting point.<\/p>\n

Glenariff Forest Park map \u2013 easy walk<\/h3>\n
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Glenariff Forest walking route and map\/Credit: OpenStreetMap<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Glenariff Forest Park visitor information<\/h3>\n

Car park<\/h4>\n

Laragh Lodge, signed from the A43 Ballymena-Cushendall road.<\/p>\n

Terrain<\/h4>\n

Signed, constructed paths with 281m vertical ascent.<\/p>\n

Map<\/h4>\n

OSNI sheet 9<\/p>\n

Eat\/drink<\/h4>\n

Laragh Lodge<\/a> \u2013 at the start and finish of the route \u2013 dates from 1890. Open daily from 11am, it serves lunches and dinners right beside the river.<\/p>\n

Stay<\/h4>\n

Perfectly located within the park boundaries, Glenariff Forest Touring Site<\/a> provides serviced sites for caravans and campervans.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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