Glenariff Forest Park: the Scenic Trail

From the main car park in Glenariff Forest Park, the Scenic Trail follows forest paths and tracks round the upper slopes of the glen and back, with a long winding climb that the Forest Service puts at about 1.1 km from 60 m to 260 m. Glenariff is one of the nine Glens of Antrim, a deep valley that opens to the sea at Waterfoot.

It is 9.2 km round with 267 m of ascent; allow about 3 hours. The grade is Easy: paths for most of the way and tracks for the rest, with long flights of steps on the climb. The Forest Service gives the Scenic Trail as 8.9 km (5.5 miles).

The forest is open to visitors on foot 24 hours a day, but the car park gates open by 8am and are locked at dusk. Vehicle access at the main entrance may occasionally be restricted because of forest operations: follow the safety signs.

Cars pay £5 to enter the forest park (2026/27 Forest Service charges; motorcycles £2.50, minibuses £13); pedestrians are generally not charged.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.