colin glen forest park

The forest park is the largest of its kind in Greater Belfast and is a city haven in which to enjoy the wildlife and beauty of the countryside. It has lots to do and see on a family day out and is a favourite picnic area for generations of Belfast residents. A taste of countryside within the city limits with woodland, river, ponds and 9 hole Golf Course. Network of paths and bridges for ease of access. The Forest Park is much more than a local beauty spot with recreational and educational facilities. Colin Glen is a "Green Lung" helping to purify the air around Greater Belfast. Trees absorb carbon-dioxide and produce oxygen - over 90,000 new young trees and shrubs have been planted so the Glen will continue to cleanse the air for many generations. EDUCATION The park is an unrivalled educational resource and is widely used for project curriculum work by schools and colleges. Up to 6,000 children each year use the guided facilities for pond-dipping, river projects, tree-planting, wildlife observation and conservation studies. AN AWARD WINNING SCHEME Colin Glen Forest Park has won many major awards and is recognised by environmentalists as one of the outstanding conservation projects in the United Kingdom. * Pleasant forest walks - 4,000 metres of paths with nature trails, trim trails etc. * Wildlife pond. * 1-1/2 miles of fast flowing river - among the 5 bridges spanning the river are a suspension and cantilever bridge. * a restored aquaduct * extensive woodland and meadow grassland * wide variety of flora and fauna. * extensive range of educational resources * special-needs facilities * guided tours (advance booking)

Formerly known as McCance's Glen, it is just 15 minutes from Belfast City Centre, at the foot of the black mountain between West Belfast and Lisburn.

Centre opens Summer - Mon to Fri 9am - 7.30pm, Sat and Sun 12 noon - 6pm. Winter - Mon to Fri 9 am - 5 pm Sat & Sun 12 noon - 4 pm. Park and Golf Course open daylight hours with supervised car parking.