Walking in forests

Stay safe

You're welcome to walk on forest roads and trails. Sometimes there may be limited access, for example during timber harvesting or other forest work operations to protect the public.

Follow all health and safety signs.

Be prepared for changeable weather conditions and remember to allow enough daylight hours for your walk, especially in large forests where road distances may be greater.  

• Stay safe and be responsible in public forests

Walking your dog

Dog owners are welcome to bring their dogs into forests and woodlands, provided they:

• always keep their dogs under control
• don't allow their dogs to distress other visitors or wildlife
• keep dogs on leads where official signs mention this
• are responsible and clear up after their dogs to avoid problems for other visitors

Trail maps

Trail maps show paths and routes where you can walk in forests. 

• Northern Ireland public forests' trail maps

Some forests have way-marked paths or trails which are graded on the degree of difficulty, as explained below.

White paths

White paths:

• are universally accessible
• are level
• have clearly defined edges
• have no overhanging branches
• have a hard surface with few loose stones
• have rest areas every 100 metres
• have 'way-finding' markers every 100 metres
• have 'distance to go' markers every 100 metres

Blue paths

Blue paths:

• have no steps or gullies
• have a slight gradient (1:12 max)
• have generally defined edges
• have no overhanging branches
• have a firm surface with some loose material
• have rest areas generally every 300 metres
• have 'way-finding' markers every 300 metres
• have 'distance to go' markers every 300 metres

Red paths

Red paths:

• have steps, gullies, tree roots
• have a moderate gradient (1:4)
• generally have undefined edges
• have overhanging branches
• have broken surface material
• have some rest areas at irregular intervals

Black paths

Black paths:

• have steps, gullies, fences, streams, boulders
• have severe gradients
• generally have undefined edges
• have overhanging branches
• have all types of terrain
• have some rest areas at irregular intervals
• have 'way-finding' markers at trail junctions
• have 'distance to go' markers at trail junctions

Walking app

Whilst not confined to forests in Northern Ireland, 'Take a Hike' is a walking app (available on smartphone) to help visitors search for and share information on the best walking trails in Northern Ireland.

More useful links

• Forest recreation charges
• Public forests in Northern Ireland 
• Activities in forests
• Country parks
• Nature reserves
• Parks and green spaces