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Belfast Hills

Experience the Belfast Hills, renowned for providing a unique backdrop to a thriving urban area. Being so close to the city, fantastic views over Belfast and beyond can be easily enjoyed at Cave Hill and Belfast Castle or Black Mountain. A short walk from our streets can take you into the river valley paths at Colin Glen or up through the old Carnmoney Hill woodland. If you really want to get some fresh air, the upland heath and wildflowers of Divis or Slievenacloy are a must.

Travelling from Black Mountain on to Divis walkers are rewarded with spectacular views of Belfast Lough, the Castlereagh Hills, the Ards Peninsula, the Isle of Man, Scotland, Slieve Gullion, the Mournes and Carlingford Mountains on the one side, and on the other the Sperrins, Antrim Plateau and Lough Neagh. The Samson and Goliath cranes, the Hospital Tower Block, The King's Hall and the Stormont Parliament Buildings are all easily visible.

The Belfast Hills are thought to be inspiration for Jonathan Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" as the hills are the embodiment of a sleeping giant safeguarding the city.

The Belfast Hills have six main sites which are open to the public:

1. Carnmoney Hill

2. Cave Hill Country Park

3. Divis and the Black Mountain

4. Slievenacloy Nature Reserve

5. Glenside Community Woodland

6. Colin Glen Forest Park

Before you go check out our Hills Walking Code. This code provides general guidelines on how to look after yourself and the environment when out in the Hills. N.B. All directions are given from the centre of Belfast.

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