- Created: September 27, 2012 1:09 pm
- Updated: December 12, 2017 11:00 am
- Distance Instructions
- Distance 7 km
- Time 0 s
- Speed 0.0 km/h
- Min altitude 126 m
- Peak 347 m
- Climb 285 m
- Descent 278 m
This is a moderate but challenging loop walk starting at Belfast Castle and following the green way marked arrows up some steep inclines to the summit of Cave Hill with great views of the city and beyond.
This walk can however be begun and joined from Bellevue car park, Upper Hightown Road or Upper Cavehill Road, if required.
Begin the walk at the interpretative panel in the car park just before the entrance to Belfast Castle. Go past the entrance to the castle and climb up the path on your left until you reach the first junction where you turn right. Follow this path through the woodland, keeping left on all the junctions you come to following the green arrows.
This path leads up and climbing on to a plateau you can stop a take in the great views over the city and Belfast Lough and on a good day, Scotland.
Again, take the next path on your left. This skirts round the Devil’s Punchbowl passing below the largest of the several caves before veering to the right. Follow this path as it climbs steadily and sometimes steeply up the hill.
At the top veer to the left and follow the grass path to the top of the hill and McArts Fort. From here the views are amazing. After this join again the main path on its gradual descent down the south facing slopes of Cave Hill.
Continue downhill taking the next lane on your left. This leads down past the top of Carrs Glen and carries on for some distance before reaching the Upper Cavehill Road. Go down the footpath a short way and take the path to the left over a stile where a bench is nearby. Return to the starting point via a disused quarry by means of the paths, turnstiles over a stream which leads onto the end point again at the castle
DIRECTIONS
Use our website or App to get GPS directions
From the M2 Motorway northbound leave at the Cliften Street exit following the signs for Belfast Castle/Zoo. Take a left at the top of the off ramp and the next right at the roundabout on Antrim Road. Continue and follow signs for the castle. Car parking at Belfast Castle, Zoo (Hazelwood), upper Cavehill Road and Upper Hightown Road.
This is a moderate but challenging loop walk starting at Belfast Castle and following the green way marked arrows up some steep inclines to the summit of Cave Hill with great views of the city and beyond.
This walk can however be begun and joined from Bellevue car park, Upper Hightown Road or Upper Cavehill Road, if required.
Begin the walk at the interpretative panel in the car park just before the entrance to Belfast Castle. Go past the entrance to the castle and climb up the path on your left until you reach the first junction where you turn right. Follow this path through the woodland, keeping left on all the junctions you come to following the green arrows.
This path leads up and climbing on to a plateau you can stop a take in the great views over the city and Belfast Lough and on a good day, Scotland.
Again, take the next path on your left. This skirts round the Devil’s Punchbowl passing below the largest of the several caves before veering to the right. Follow this path as it climbs steadily and sometimes steeply up the hill.
At the top veer to the left and follow the grass path to the top of the hill and McArts Fort. From here the views are amazing. After this join again the main path on its gradual descent down the south facing slopes of Cave Hill.
Continue downhill taking the next lane on your left. This leads down past the top of Carrs Glen and carries on for some distance before reaching the Upper Cavehill Road. Go down the footpath a short way and take the path to the left over a stile where a bench is nearby. Return to the starting point via a disused quarry by means of the paths, turnstiles over a stream which leads onto the end point again at the castle
DIRECTIONS
Use our website or App to get GPS directions
From the M2 Motorway northbound leave at the Cliften Street exit following the signs for Belfast Castle/Zoo. Take a left at the top of the off ramp and the next right at the roundabout on Antrim Road. Continue and follow signs for the castle. Car parking at Belfast Castle, Zoo (Hazelwood), upper Cavehill Road and Upper Hightown Road.
