Glenariff Forest Park | Antrim

Information

Landmark: Glenariff Forest Park
City: Antrim
Country: Ireland
Continent: Europe

Glenariff Forest Park, Antrim, Ireland, Europe

Glenariff Forest Park is a 1,185-hectare nature reserve located within the Glens of Antrim in Northern Ireland. It is situated at the head of Glenariff, the largest of the nine glens, approximately 15km south of Cushendall.

Visual Characteristics

The park is characterized by a deep U-shaped glacial valley with steep clifftops and three distinct waterfalls: Ess-na-Laragh, Ess-na-Crub, and the Glenariff Falls. The vegetation is primarily coniferous forest (larch and spruce) and ancient sessile oak woodland. The valley floor features a dark, peat-stained river flowing over red sandstone and white chalk outcrops, often shrouded in high humidity and mist.

Location & Access Logistics

The main entrance is located on the A43 Glenariff Road between Ballymena and Cushendall. It is approximately a 1-hour drive from Belfast. Public transport is limited; the Goldline 218 or 221 buses from Ballymena serve the general area, but a private vehicle is required to reach the park gates. A large, paid asphalt parking lot is located at the visitor center.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The forest was established in the early 20th century by the Department of Agriculture, though the area has been a popular tourist destination since the Victorian era. Geologically, the glen was carved by receding glaciers during the last Ice Age, exposing layers of basalt and limestone. The park is a designated National Nature Reserve, protecting the rare Irish Lady's Tresses orchid and supporting a significant population of red squirrels.

Key Highlights & Activities

The Waterfall Walk is a 3km circular route involving a timber boardwalk (the "Glenariff Boardwalk") built into the vertical cliff faces. Other trails include the Scenic Trail (8.9km), which climbs to the valley rim for panoramic views of the Mull of Kintyre. Activities include hiking, birdwatching, and photography. A designated area at the park entrance provides space for picnics and barbecues.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The park features a visitor center, the Glenariff Tea House (restaurant), and permanent restrooms. The woodland canopy provides significant natural shade and rain cover along the Waterfall Walk. 4G cellular signal is available at the visitor center but is lost or highly intermittent within the deep gorge and lower forest trails.

Best Time to Visit

The waterfalls are most visually powerful during the autumn and winter months or immediately following heavy rainfall. For photography, late spring offers vibrant green mosses and flowering wild garlic. The park is open daily from 08:00 until dusk; visiting before 10:00 is recommended to avoid heavy weekend crowds.

Facts & Legends

The timber boardwalk was originally constructed over 100 years ago by the Midland Railway Company to attract tourists to the glens via the railway line at Parkmore. Local folklore suggests the glen was a favored hunting ground of the Fianna, led by Fionn mac Cumhaill, who used the high plateaus to spot approaching invaders from the sea.