Cave Hill Country Park

Cave Hill Country Park gets its name from five caves, which could be early iron mines, on the side of the main Belfast cliffs. The park has many natural and historical features including archaeological sites, Cave Hill, ecotrails, walking and orienteering routes and Belfast Castle. The park has picnic areas, woodland ares and species-rich greenland. There are cattle grazing in the park.

Archaeological sites

There are several archaeological sites in Cave Hill Country Park including the remains of a stone cairn, cashel and crannog. The most spectacular is McArts Fort, an ancient ráth or fort which stands almost 368 metres (about 1,200 feet) above sea level.

Getting to Cave Hill Country Park

You can enter the park at Antrim Road (Bellevue), Ballysillan Road (Carr's Glen), Innisfayle Park (Belfast Castle), Upper Cavehill Road or Upper Hightown Road. Take Metro no.1 A-H (Monday to Saturday) or no.1 C-E or H (Sundays).

Access to the park

There is no exit from Cave Hill Country Park onto the Antrim Road from the back driveway, as we are carrying out essential maintenance.

There are grazing in Cave Hill Country Park. When visiting the park:

• keep to pathways
• do not approach cattle
• avoid getting between animals and their young
• keep dogs on a short lead
• if cattle approach, let your dog off the lead
• report any damage to fences

To report damage please call 028 9032 0202 (office hours) or 028 9027 0275 (outside office hours). In an emergency, dial 999. To report antisocial behaviour, call 028 9050 0515.

Green Flag awards

Cave Hill Country Park has been awarded the Green Flag Award every year from 2009 to 2019. This award recognises the best open spaces in the UK. 

Other attractions

Enjoy panoramic views across Belfast from vantage points on the hillside. The park's natural attractions include heath and moorland on top of the hill, the meadows and Milewater Stream in Carr's Glen Linear Park, the woodlands of Hazelwood and the beautiful surroundings of Belfast Castle Estate. The area is rich in birds and wild plants. Land at Ballyhagan and Hazelwood is designated as a local nature reserve.

Events and conservation

To find out about conservation events, visit Cavehill Conservation website.

Park events

To find out about events and activities in Belfast parks, go to Park events.

Map of Cave Hill Country Park