Castlewellan forest park - Moorish tower Walk
The walk circumnavigates Castlewellan Lake. A short steep climb uphill brings you to the view point over the lake : Moorish Tower.
A
Down walk
posted on 01/02/23 by Walk NI. Last update : 15/02/23
Description
Start : Lakeside Car Park. From Castlewellan the forest is signposted from Main Street. (BT31 9BU)
(S/E) From the Lakeside Car Park, turn left, the trail follows the southern shore of the lake for around 1.8 Km before winding steeply uphill.
(1) At any junction, keep the same bearing North-West-West for around 500 m.
(2) Then turn right (North-East) and walk around 400 m until reaching a narrow track leads to the Moorish Tower now hidden in the trees. When designed, this ‘tea house’ would have provided a fine vista across the Lake.
(3) Go past this path to Moorish Tower then at the next junction turn right then left towards the lake shore Northern side.
(4) A steep descent leads back to the lake shore.
(5) As you reach the lake shore, turn left and keep walking with the lake on your right-hand back to the start (around 1.8 Km). (S/E)
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 125 m - Lakeside Car Park
- 1 : km 1.72 - alt. 136 m - Junction
- 2 : km 2.17 - alt. 168 m - Junction
- 3 : km 2.6 - alt. 176 m - Moorish Tower
- 4 : km 2.98 - alt. 141 m - Steep descent
- 5 : km 3.1 - alt. 133 m - Lake shore
- S/E : km 4.96 - alt. 126 m - Lakeside Car Park
Useful Information
Start : Lakeside Car Park. From Castlewellan the forest is signposted from Main Street. (BT31 9BU)
Parking : Lakeside Car Park. (BT31 9BU)
Terrain : Moderate with some steep hills. Variable but stable, may be slightly uneven and include loose material.
Public Transport : Translink
Facilities : Car park (fee charged), café, toilets (disabled access), picnic areas, The Peace Maze, Activity Centre, lecture room/ classroom, camping & caravaning, orienteering route, mountain bike trails.
Note : This trail is signposted from the Lakeside car park – follow the brown waymarkers.
Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
During the walk or to do/see around
Moorish Tower and its view on the Castlewellan Lake