Cave Hill overlooks the city of Belfast and is distinguished by its famous Napolean’s Nose, a basaltic outcrop which resembles the profile of the emperor Napolean.  It is also known, more historically, as Ben Madigan, which is derived from  Beann Mhadagáin, meaning “Madagán’s peak”—so named after a king of Ulster called Madagán who died in 856AD. Cave Hill is thought to be the inspiration for Jonathan Swift‘s Gulliver’s Travels. Swift imagined that the Cave Hill resembled the shape of a sleeping giant safeguarding the city. The fort on the summit of the hill, McArt’s Fort, is an example of an old rath or ring fort.  United Irishmen Theobald Wolfe Tone and Henry Joy McCracken met at Cave Hill in 1795 to take an oath to launch the rebellion of 1798. McCracken was captured on Cave Hill in 1798.  The crowning stone Giant’s Chair of the O’Neill clan was a sited on Cave Hill summit until 1896 and gave its name to the nearby Throne Hospital

This is a challenging circular but very enjoyable route, with great views of the city and Belfast Lough.  For a map and statistics go to https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=17169104

Begin at the interpretative panel in the car park just before the entrance to Belfast Castle. Climb up the path on your left until you reach the first junction. Turn right. Follow this path through the woodland, keeping to the left of any of the junctions you come to. This path leads up through the trees, climbing onto a plateau. Stop here to admire the fabulous views over the city and Belfast Lough.

Continuing on, take the next path on your left. This skirts around the Devil’s Punchbowl, passes below the largest cave before veering to the right. Follow this path as it climbs steadily up the hill.

Continue climbing up the steps to a cattle grid and fence, at the top veer to the left and follow the grass path to the top of the hill and McArt’s Fort. Pause again to take in the magnificent views before joining the main path on its gradual descent down the south facing slopes of Cave Hill.

Continue downhill taking the next lane on your left. This leads down past the top of Carr’s Glen and carries on for some distance before reaching the Upper Cavehill Road. Go down the footpath a short way and take the path to the left. Climb over the ridge and descend into Belfast Castle Estate. Return to the starting point by means of the footpath up the main driveway.