New walking trails will show beauty of Castlewellan forest

27 August 2014

THE beauty and history of Castlewellan Forest Park is to be enhanced with a series of new walking trails to enhance the estate.

Totalling 12 kilometres, the new network will take in many of the key points of interest within the Forest Park including Castlewellan Lake, the Annesley Gardens and Arboretum, the Cypress Pond, Mitchell’s Lake, the Moorish Tower as well the iconic views from the summit of Slievenaslat.

The project has recently started and will see the replacement of the present walking trail network with a new series of paths which have been developed by Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland in partnership with Down Council and the Forest Service.

The trail network was designed by renowned trail designer Dafydd Davis following consultation with the local community and forest visitors. The construction work will be carried out by local contractor Euro Services Ltd.

Down Council chairman, Billy Walker, the development of the trails further demonstrates the council’s commitment to improving the outdoor recreation product within the area’s forest estate.

“These trails will be an excellent resource for the local community and will assist the council in its aim to be the number one tourist destination in Ireland,” said Mr. Walker.

The walk trails will complement the recent restoration of the Castlewellan Peace Maze, the ongoing development in nearby Bunkers Hill and the highly successful Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails which have been visited over 35,000 times since their launch in May 2013.

Clare Jones, Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland’s Product Development Manager, said the new trail network will make the best use of the present trails and places of interest within the forest by linking these through the construction of some new trail and the upgrade of some existing trails to create five looped walks.

“New visitor focused interpretation and waymarking will enable people to confidently explore the forest,” she said.

Local walker Cahal King expressed his delight with the project. “I’ve had the joy of walking in Castlewellan Forest Park for many years now. Of all the places I walk it is still the closest to my heart.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be able to contribute to this planning process, thereby helping ensure the project can maximise the walking potential within the Forest Park.”

This project is in receipt of a conditional Letter of Offer from Down Rural Area Partnership under the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme and Down District Council. For more information visit www.outdoorrecreationni.com.

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