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Belfast Castle Walk

3.73 miles (6 km)

Open Streetmap This historic castle in Belfast includes a lovely country park with miles of walking trails to try.
This circular walk from the castle explores the immediate grounds before taking you through the castle woods to the excellent viewpoint at Cave Hill. On the way you can look out for lots of wildelife including long-eared owls and sparrowhawks.
Start the walk at the castle car park where you can pick up trails taking you around the beautiful grounds where you can see the lovely gardens and the photogenic fountain.
After exploring the grounds head north east to enter the peaceful woodland trails which will take you up to Cave Hill Cave. From the cave you head south to visit the Cave Hill summit where you can enjoy glorious views over the city to Belfast Lough, the coast, the Isle of Man, Scotland and the Mourne Mountains.
After taking in the views you continue south to McArt's Fort before descending back through the woods to the castle.
There's excellent facilities at the site with a visitor centre, antique shop, Millennium Herb Garden, restaurant, and a playground for children. There's also a fun cat hunting game where you can look out for a series of model cats around the garden area.

Postcode

BT15 5GR - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

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Belfast Castle Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

After your exercise you could enjoy a well deserved afternoon tea back at the castle.

Dog Walking

The woodland and parkland make for a fine dog walk. You will probably see other dog owners on your walk.

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Belfast Castle - geograph.org.uk - 589077

Belfast Castle gardens and fountain. The castle was built to replace the original 12th century castle, destroyed by fire in 1708. Today's castle dates to 1870.

Path, Belfast Castle (6) - geograph.org.uk - 2981028

Woodland path

Path, Belfast Castle (7) - geograph.org.uk - 2981062

View as you climb up to Cave Hill

Cave Hill - geograph.org.uk - 589078

Cave Hill

The Cave Hill, Belfast - geograph.org.uk - 2321016

The Cave Hill, Belfast

Cave Hill, Belfast

Cave Hill view

Napoleon's Nose, Belfast - geograph.org.uk - 2321000

Napoleon's Nose at Cave Hill. The hill's most famous feature, known locally as Napoleon's Nose, is believed to have been the inspiration for Jonathan Swift's novel, Gulliver's Travels.

Cave Hill path, Belfast - August 2014(2) - geograph.org.uk - 4099943

Cave Hill path, Belfast

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Belfast Castle.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)