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PUBLIC NOTICE: CASTLEWELLAN FOREST PARK HAS REOPENED, WITH RESTRICTIONS, FOLLOWING THE IMPACT OF STORM EOWYN.
The following facilities remain closed: remote walking trails, mountain bike trails, horse trails and Annesley Walled Garden & Arboretum. We ask visitors to adhere to the safety signage in place and please DO NOT access trails which are closed.
(Latest update: Friday 14 February 2025 at 5pm)
One of Northern Ireland's most famous lakes, a stunning Victorian Castle, incredible panoramic views and flowing singletrack; all just minutes from the lively village of Castlewellan.
Castlewellan Forest Park boasts all of this and more. With green, blue and red grade trails (including black options) Castlewellan is a must-visit for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities.
GREEN TRAIL - 4km Green Trail - Allow 30 minutes
This gentle circular trail hugs the lakeshore and passes past under the shadow of Castlewellan Castle. The biking is very easy with only one slight gradient incline on the north side of the lake.
This wide trail is ideal for young families and/or those giving mountain biking a go for the very first time.
BLUE TRAIL - 4.5km Blue Trail - Allow 45 minutes
This easy going blue trail begins by running parallel to Castlewellan Lake on an elevated singetrack trail with incredible panoramic views before rejoining the gentler green route back to the trailhead.
The first half of this trail undulates through woodland on singletrack with a number of rollers thrown in to make for a fun trail, perfect for those looking develop to their bike handling skills.
RED TRAIL - 19km Red Trail - Allow 2 hours
The red trail enjoys the initial flowing singletrack and incredible views found on the blue trail before splitting off and ascending behind Castlewellan Castle and past a number of little known smaller lakes.
The fun then really begins when both the red and black options descend either side of Slievenaslat before sweeping back around to Cypress Pond.
There is a further black option 'Dolly's Chute' set to get your heart racing with 'Moorish Return' always a crowd pleaser for the homeward leg back to the trailhead.
BLACK OPTION - DOLLY’S CHUTE - Distance of Dolly's Chute is 0.9 miles, route type is a loop and the terrain is forest, off public road.
THE GREAT ESCARPE - Public roads: Off Public Road
Getting to the start: The Great Escarpe is reached via waypoint 31 off the red trail before White Water Rapide.
Traffic: May encounter Forest Service vehicles or timber lorries. During the fishing season (March to November) may also encounter cars belonging to anglers. Trail is on well maintained forest and mountain bike paths.
