16 Forests to Explore in Ulster

The park covers approximately 480 hectares (1200 acres) and includes a variety of habitats, among them sand dunes, beaches, salt marshes, salt water lakes, rock face and, of course, coniferous and deciduous woodlands. In the forest, you will find a range of archeological features and national monuments, and these are all documented in the guide booklet produced by Coillte, and available at most tourist information centres.

Big Dog Forest, cloaked largely with conifers, dotted with open stretches of upland landscapes and lakes, offers astonishing views, wilderness, and exploration with the highlight being the 360-degree view from the top of Little Dog. This beautiful short walk allows you to explore some of Fermanagh’s best upland landscapes, and the forest is inhabited by wildlife as varied as red deer, herons and dragonflies

Donard Forest lies at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. It has some spectacular views of County Down, including Newcastle, Dundrum Bay, St John's Point and Slieve Croob. The north east section of the forest contains a Heritage Stand of Scots and Corsican pine planted in 1927. A south east section, beside the Glen River, was the former site of Donard Lodge.

Dún na Rí Forest Park is a forest park is situated on the County Cavan-County Monaghan border, in Ireland. The park itself borders the Shercock and Carrickmacross roads more specifically at Magheracloone and Kingscourt. The park forms a part of the old Cabra Estate. The park is about 2 kmnorth of Kingscourt on the R179 road. It is a peaceful place with a lake, walled garden, open air sculptures and many attractions. There are several marked trails.

Glenveagh National Park is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains, pristine lakes, tumbling waterfalls and enchanted native oak woodland in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north west of County Donegal. The Park, over 16,000 hectares in extent consists of three areas. The largest of these is the former Glenveagh Estate, including most of the Derryveagh Mountains.

A majestic forest park comprises some 240 hectares of diverse woodland and open parkland. It is managed by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and is open 365 days per year. The park highlights include a magnificent herd of red deer and seeing them up close, even if it isn’t your first time, will still catch your breath! The excitement continues with the park’s new 3km woodland outdoor play area featuring five unique superstructures, an adventure for all your little giants!

Killykeen Forest Park is located in a very scenic area of Co Cavan. It lies on the shores of Lough Oughter which is part of the River Erne system. The forest consists of mainly mixed woodland including Norway and Sitka spruce, Ash, Oak and Beech. The area is popular with anglers because of its location along Lough Oughter which is connected to thousands of hectares of lakeland complexes. Canoeing, biking and windsurfing are also popular activities at the park.

Lough Navar Forest rises to the top of the Magho cliffs and comprises over 2,600 hectares of primarily coniferous forest. It is also home to one of the most breathtaking views in the island of Ireland, over the Magho Cliffs. It is hardly surprising that this forest is a mecca for walkers, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts.

Ness Woods is one of three woodlands – the others are Ervey Wood and Burntollet Wood – which lie within the 55 hectares of forested countryside that comprise Ness Country Park. There is plenty of wildlife and birdlife, as well as pondlife, to enjoy. There’s also an expansive meadow which can be accessed by those with limited mobility.

Peatlands Park is a large lowland raised bog that has been extensively cut for turf in the past. It represents one of the largest areas of degraded raised bog in Northern Ireland. The park holds two natural reserves predating the park itself, Annagarriff and Mullenakill , established in 1980. Of the two, Annagarriff is thought to be home to the only colony of Scottish wood ants in Ireland.

A beautiful and wild mixed conifer forest that contains an owl conservation centre, Deer Park, and several walking routes, with two small adjacent Nature Reserves at the forest edge on the shores of Lough Neagh. Its earlier use was as the estate deer park, enclosing a herd of fallow deer roaming through open parkland and large broadleaved trees.

Rea's Wood Forest Nature Reserve is a wet woodland dominated by alder, willow and birch trees. It stretches for a mile along the shores of Lough Neagh. A shared pedestrian and cycle path will help you explore. Toilets and refreshments are available nearby. The woodland floor provides ideal habitat not only for many plants but also for many rare invertebrates including Snails, Slugs, Hoverflies and Beetles.

This is a national forest park located in County Monaghan in Ireland run by the Irish States forestry organisation, Coillte. It has several forest walks, a Nature Trail and a Yew walk. The walks range from 2 - 4 miles and are mainly in the forested area and are well sign posted. The park was the site of Rossmore Castle which was demolished in the 1970s. It was the home of Lord Rossmore and the Rossmore family who were the local landlords of the area during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Tollymore Forest Park was the first state forest park in Northern Ireland, established on 2 June 1955. It is located at Bryansford, near the town of Newcastle in the Mourne and Slieve Croob Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It covers an area of 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne Mountains and has views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at nearby Newcastle.