Belfast City, Rivers, Parks and Woods Walk
This walk takes you on a tour of the best parks, woodland and rivers in around the city centre of Belfast.
The walk starts on the River Lagan and follows the Lagan Towpath south to Ormeau Park. The park is the oldest municipal park in Belfast, having been originally opened in 1871. There's nice tree-lined paths and pretty gardens to admire in this popular park.
After strolling around Ormeau Park you continue south along the river to the Belfast Botanical Gardens. The 19th century public park contains a wonderful Palm House conservatory with a cool wing and a tropical wing. There's also the Tropical Ravine House, rose garden and a fine statue of Belfast born Physicist Lord Kelvin.
The towpath continues south to Belvoir Park Forest. The woods have a number of waymarked trails to try with lots of woodland wildlife to look out for. The park is somewhat unusual as it is rare to find a working forest within a city.
The path continues through Lagan Meadows and Clement Wilson Park before coming to the splendid Lagan Valley Regional Park. Here you will find wet meadows, ponds, mixed beech woodland and attractive parkland set next to the river.
The route continues along the river, passing Newforge cricket ground and the village of Edenderry before coming to Lady Dixon Park. The expansive 128 acre park park consists of meadows, woodland and gardens with a number of well laid out footpaths to follow. Other features in the park include the 19th century Wilmont House, arboretum, the Azalea Walk, fountains, a walled garden and a delightful a Japanese-style garden with pretty water features.
To further extend your walk you can continue along the Lagan Towpath to Lisburn.
There are lots of other nice walks to try in and around Belfast. You could visit Belfast Castle, Cave Hill Country Park and Redburn Country Park where you can enjoy great views over the city and Belfast Harbour. There's also the excellent Comber Greenway walking and cycle route. The route runs along a disused railway line between Belfast and Comber with great views of Stormont and Scrabo Tower.
Belfast Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Belfast Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Belfast
- Cave Hill Country Park - Visit this wonderful country park and enjoy fabulous views over Northern Ireland on this circular walk in Belfast
- Black Mountain - This walk climbs to the Black Mountain above the city of Belfast.The National Trust owned area includes a popular summit walking trail taking you around Divis Mountain to the Black Mountain viewpoint.
- Redburn Country Park - This country park in Belfast has miles of nice footpaths to try
- Comber Greenway - This cycling and walking trail runs along National Cycle Network route 99 and a disused railway line from Belfast to Comber
- Lagan Towpath - This cycle and walking route follows the towpath of the River Lagan from Belfast to Lisburn along National Cycle Network routes 9 and 93
- Lagan Valley Regional Park - Starting from the Shaw's Bridge car park follow the Lagan towpath along the river Lagan on this lovely walk in Belfast
- Lady Dixon Park - This 128 acre park in Belfast is a great place for an afternoon stroll
- Belvoir Park Forest - This large park in Belfast has some nice woodland trails and views of the River Lagan which runs right through the forest
- Blackhead Lighthouse - This short circular walk visits the Blackhead Lighthouse located near Whitehead in County Antrim
- Gobbins Cliff Path - The Gobbins Cliff Path is considered one of the most dramatic coastal walks in Europe
- Woodburn Forest and Reservoirs - This circular walk explores the Woodburn Forest and its reservoirs in Carrickfergus, County Antrim.
- Belfast Castle - This historic castle in Belfast includes a lovely country park with miles of walking trails to try.
- Ballyboley Forest - This walk explore Ballyboley Forest near Ballyclare in County Antrim
- Glenoe Waterfall - This walk visits the lovely Glenoe Waterfall in the hamlet of Glenoe in County Antrim.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
On the western side of the city there's the popular climb to Black Mountain. The National Trust owned area includes a series of waymarked trails taking you to a splendid summit viewpoint. There's excellent views over Belfast to the coast and beyond from this elevated spot.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Northern Ireland Walks page.
Photos
The Ormeau Bridge, Belfast Bridge over the River Lagan in Belfast. The bridge carries the Ormeau Road, a main arterial route in and out of the city, over the river and is usually extremely busy at rush hour.
_-_geograph.org.uk_-_2120344.jpg)
Autumn leaves in Ormeau Park in 2010.
_-_geograph.org.uk_-_901855.jpg)
Pergolas, Botanic Gardens, Belfast. Pergolas in the rose garden.
A tree on the edge of Belvoir Forest Park
Spring verge, Lagan towpath. Cow parsley (or a member of the family) growing, in profusion, by the Lagan towpath between Stranmillis and Newforge.
Mickey Taylor's Lock, Lagan Navigation Here the canal splits from the River Lagan and the small bridge links the towpath to the island. The lock was named Mickey Taylor's after one of the lock-keepers.