Hillsborough 5k

Wander through the 98 acres of beautiful gardens of Hillsborough Castle. The gardens were developed from the 1760s onwards, and offer the visitor a contrast of ornamental grounds, woodland, waterways and lawns.

The Broad Water is a man made feature, built in a natural valley in order to retain a sufficient head of water to accommodate the navigation. Take a seat and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature, set against the background of a thin belt of mature woodland! The Broad Water is a 3 mile towpath walk between Moira Railway Station and Aghalee and takes you along the route of the original Lagan Canal through Soldierstown. Keep an eye out for the large variety of breeding and wintering wildfowl.

A walk to relax yourself in the middle of beautiful trees. This place is the proof that nature is a work of art.

A short walk to relax in the centre of beautiful flower gardens. Try it in spring or summer to make the most of the scent of the flowers around you !

Colin Glen Forest Park is regarded as Belfast’s ‘green lung’. Following the Colin River through the beautiful wooded glen on surfaced paths creates the opportunity to experience great views of the glen, the Belfast Hills (Black Mountain) and Belfast City.

The Forest Park is popular throughout the year with the public and visiting groups for a variety of outdoor activities, educational visits and events.

A green oasis in the heart of the city of Belfast, Minnowburn is full of beautiful trails verging the Lagan or heading through woodland and farmland. It lies in the Lagan Valley Regional Park and is a great place to walk through fields alive with the sounds and smells of nature, or stroll along the banks of the Lagan and Minnowburn. You may spot spawning salmon or sea trout.

As you leave National Trust lands and enter Ballynahatty you pass through the famous Giants Ring, a Neolithic earthwork circle set in the middle of beautiful farmland.

Minnowburn is a green refuge set on the fringe of Belfast, in the Lagan Valley Regional Park. Wooden chainsaw sculptures are dotted around the trail, there is a pond full of wildlife, and Terrace Hill has spectacular views of the Lagan Valley, to Beech woodland and the Lagan river. As well as guessing what the sculptures are about, see what wildlife you can spot.

Combining elements of all three trails at Slievenacloy, this walk takes you around the entire reserve. Experience the amazing panoramic views over Northern Ireland and explore the sheltered valley along the banks of the Stoneyford River.