The Cave Hill is popular with walkers and joggers. There are eight marked trails, which range

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cave Hill is popular with walkers and joggers. There are eight marked trails which range 

from short easy strolls to challenging 5-mile treks over the summit. 

 There are five access points are Hightown Road, Carrs Glen, Upper Cavehill Road, Belfast Castle and Hazelwood.  We will be running a series of guided  walks on Cave Hill. These walks generally take place on the third Saturday of each month from April to October, and usually run between 1000 to 1300, though some events will be early morning between 0600 and 0800, or later in the afternoon.  The time and dates are listed below.

​

Most walks will have a theme where an expert will talk about a particular aspect of the Hill. In the absence of a theme, there will be a walk over the top of Cave Hill with a guide who will give a general overview of the historical and cultural aspects of the Hill and will bring participants to some of its most important sites. 

​

 Details of planned events for 2023 are outlined below in the schedule of

Walks and Activities. 

 

Please be prepared for bad weather and bring footwear suitable for rough ground. Some of the walks will be moderately strenuous and some people may find them challenging.  Easy walks are grade E and more challenging walks are grade M. 

Young people under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. 

​

If you have any worries about fitness or have medical conditions which may affect your ability to walk, please talk to the leader at the start of the walk. If the leader assesses you as not being fit for the walk, you will not be able to take part.

 

It is very important for your own safety, and of the group, that you obey the instructions of the walk leader or of any of the assistant leaders. It is of particular importance that the group stays together at all times.

All of our activities are free.

You can see photos and images of events that have taken place in the "Events 2021 and ``Events 2022" tabs on the Menu bar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Organised Walks and Activities in 2023

Easy Walks are Grade E. Challenging walks are Grade M.

​

Saturday 15th April  

10:00-13:00 The rocks of Cave Hill.

Kirstin Lemon is an enthusiast for her geology profession and she will delight in explaining the geological origins of Cave Hill on this walk over the hill. Meet at the Castle. Grade M

​

Saturday 20th May  

05:00-07:30 Dawn chorus.

John O’Boyle will lead a dander around the Park to hear and identify birds. Specially designed for early risers! Meet at the gates to the Park at the top of Innisfayle Park.  Grade E

​

Saturday 27th May  

10:00-13:00 The birds of Cave Hill.

Get up close to some of our native birds. Licensed bird ringer Aidan Crean will catch, ring and release them and allow us to see them in beautiful detail. Meet at the Castle. 

Grade E.

​

​Saturday 17th June

10:00-13:00 Botany Walk

Ballyaghagan, at the back of the hill, is a nature reserve full of wild flowers.

Mark Smith will walk us through and show us its variety.

Meet at the car park off the Upper Hightown Road.

Grade M

​

Saturday 24th June

03:30-06:30 Solstice walk.

Greet the sun at dawn on a summer solstice morning before most of Belfast has stirred. Meet at the Castle. Grade M.

​

Saturday 15th July

10.00-13.00  A bug bonanza

Debbie Nelson runs a wildlife rescue centre and has a phenomenal knowledge of nature in all its variety.  She will lead us on a walk, looking for and talking about some of the many varieties of bugs found in the Park.  

Meet at the Castle. Grade E.

​

Saturday 19th August

10.-00-1300  Forage on Cave Hill

Phil Simpson has a fund of practical knowledge and plant lore. We'll walk in his company see what useful plants we can find.

  Meet at the Castle.  Grade M.

​

Friday 1st September 

20:30-22:30 Bats of Cave Hill.

Aidan Crean will introduce us to these enchanting nocturnal animals during an

evening dander.

Meet at the Castle.  Grade E.

​

Saturday 16th September

10.00-13.00 Fungal Foray

Debbie Nelson will lead us on a snuffle through the Cave Hill woods to see what fungi we can find and identify.  

Meet at the Castle Grade E

​

Saturday 21st October  

10:00-13:00 The Archaeology of Cave Hill.

Local archaeologist Cormac McSparron will lead a trip to the various remains on the hill from the Neolithic period to the early Christian period.

Meet at the entrance to the Park at the top of Hightown Road. 

Grade E.

 

​

It is very important for your own safety, and that of the group, that you should obey the instructions of the walk leader or any other assistant leaders, Of particular importance is that you must ensure that the group stays together at all times.

Dogs are welcome, but for the sake of all participants, must be kept on a lead.

 

For further details:

• Facebook site for Cave Hill Conservation Campaign

• cormachamill@gmail.com

• Phone 90291357

• This website for updates.

​

​

​

​