Glenariff Forest Park

Glenariff Forest Park is situated amid the world famous Glens of Antrim, an area to which tourists have been coming for over a century. Glenariff, the Queen of the Glens, is considered by many people to be the most beautiful of the nine Antrim Glens.

Tree disease

There is currently an outbreak of the tree of Japanese Larch disease (P. ramorum) at this forest. Visitors are asked to observe any signage providing information on bio-security measures required to help prevent the spread of this disease. Further information on preventing the spread of tree disease can be found on the 'Preventing the spread of tree disease' page.

Preventing the spread of tree disease

Activities

Glenariff Forest Park caters for many outdoor activities including walking, caravanning and camping, horse riding, and many others. Special events can be arranged by permit. Guided walks are also available on application.

Camping and caravanning

The main stay site offers extensive facilities for the caravan or camping enthusiast. There are toilets and showers, together with a fresh water supply, chemical toilet disposal point and electricity hook up for caravans.

This site will be closed during Low Season (from 1 October to St. Patrick's weekend).

Caravanning and camping charges

For details of the current charges for caravanning and camping at Glenariff please see our Forest recreation Charges.

Forest recreation charges

Bookings

Sites cannot be pre-booked, but intending customers may wish to check how many spaces were free at the last inspection by telephoning Garvagh Forest office on +44 28 2955 6000.

The office is staffed from 9:00 am to 4.00 pm, Monday to Friday, and is closed on public holidays.

Trails at Glenariff Forest Park

Glenariff has a wide variety of habitats in relatively undisturbed condition. Glenariff Forest is home to many animals of conservation concern, most notably red squirrel, hen harrier and Irish hare.

Forest Service provide walks and trails that highlight the spectacular landscape and natural features of the Glen.

Viewpoint Trail (one kilometre)

From the viewpoint on the trail you can look down the Glen to the sea in the distance. The walk then takes you past the café and and back to the car park via the ornamental gardens.

Waterfall Walks Trail (three kilometres)

This path features the waterfalls and National Nature Reserve. There are stairways, pathways cut into the near vertical sides of the gorge, and boardwalks on stilts in the river. It is a spectacular walk.

Scenic Trail (nine kilometres)

The trail takes you down the Inver River gorge, near to the Ess-na-Crub Waterfall. Once you cross the river, you begin a long and winding climb from about 60 metres elevation to 260 metres, over about one kilometre. Once you have done this climb there are very fine views over the Glen and across the sea as far as the Mull of Kintyre.

Rainbow Trail (half a kilometre)

This is an optional detour on the Waterfall Walk. It includes crossing the Rainbow Bridge.

Glenariff National Nature Reserve

The Glenariff River gorge contains a National Nature Reserve. It can be walked through on the Waterfall Walks Trail. The deep rocky gorge with its spectacular waterfalls and tree cover, provides ideal conditions for the growth of ferns, mosses and liverworts. Ancient forms of these plants were the forerunners of most of the modern vegetation in the world today.

About this forest

The Park, now including the former Parkmore Forest, covers an area of 1,185 hectares of which 900 hectares have been planted with trees. The remainder consists of several small lakes, recreation areas and open space left for landscape and conservation reasons.

Bisecting the Park are two small but beautiful rivers; the Inver and the Glenariff, containing spectacular waterfalls, tranquil pools and stretches of fast flowing water tumbling through rocky steep-sided gorges.

Glenariff is one of three forests across Northern Ireland with an "in-touch" information kiosk. The kiosk contains lots of information on the forest and its surrounding area including useful tourist information. The kiosk is located at the top of the car park on the path to the café.