Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the visitor centre car park off Oughtagh Road, paths lead up the wooded glen of the Burntollet River to the Ness Waterfall, which is 30 feet high, one of the highest in Northern Ireland. The walk goes up one side of the glen and comes back by the other, with steps and footbridges on the way.
It is 4.2 km round with 104 m of ascent; allow about 1¼ hours. The grade is Easy: paths all the way, with steep climbs, many steps and footbridges. Visit Derry grades the park's Waterfall Route as difficult for these reasons.
The park is looked after by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and is open to walkers all year round. Keep to the paths: the glen sides are steep and wet.
Parking at the park's four car parks is free, according to Visit Derry.
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.
Good to know
- Ness Waterfall is 30 feet high and one of the highest waterfalls in Northern Ireland; it formed after the last ice age, when the river cut a new channel through rock that glacial deposits had blocked.
- The park has a meadow route, a waterfall route with steep inclines, steps and footbridges, and the Ervey Wood route.
- The Northern Ireland Environment Agency manages the park.
Getting there
Start: Ness Country Park visitor centre car park, Oughtagh Road · Free parking. 54.94238, -7.18690
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Ness Country Park visitor centre car park: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.