Colin Glen Forest Park

Colin Glen Forest Park has been described as Belfast's 'Green Lung', and is a beautiful wooded glen located to the Southwest of Belfast City Centre, one mile north west of Dunmurry Village, with convenient access from the M1. The Forest Park Centre, with secure car parking, a unique urban Ranger Service, and access from a number of Ulsterbus and Metro routes, is located on the Stewartstown Road and provides a location to learn more about the park before walking in the Park. 

The Park is a beautiful wooded river glen, consisting of 200 acres of scenic woodland, grass land, waterfalls and ponds. The Park has a network of over 3.5 miles of wheelchair and pram friendly paths, providing walks of various lengths and difficulties, with the main starting point at the Forest Park Centre. From there a broadleaf woodland of Oak, Ash, Beech, Willow and Hazel trees, as well as a range of wildflowers, insects and birds including Grey Herons, Sparrowhawks and Treecreepers, can be uncovered

The Forest Park also provides access to the magnificent upper Colin Glen, which is owned by The National Trust, where the walker's challenge is more difficult, but the views make the walk worthwhile. Suitable footwear is advised for walkers intending to visit the upper glen.

Self guided routes are provided through way-marked trails of varying lengths and difficulties allowing a wide range of visitors to enjoy Belfastís hidden jewel. The trails are marked by coloured arrows and an explanatory sign.

The Forest Park is an award winning site, gaining many accolades over the last 10 years, including the AIB Better Ireland Award for Community Enterprise.

Other Awards Include:

• AIB Better Ireland (Environment) Award
• BBC Big Green One
• Times/RIBA Environmental Award
• NI2000 Environmental Excellence Award
• Bass Community Award
• Guinness Community Award
• European Nature Conservation Year Award
• ILAM Open Space Management Award
• NI Travel and Tourism (Environment) Award
• Waterford Crystal Walker Award