A circuit of Cavehill is another great Belfast walking option.   It is easily accessible from the city centre by public transport.  For a map and statistics go to https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/cavehill-circuit-22734223

Cave Hill is a basaltic hill 370 metres high and forms part of the southeastern border of the Antrim Plateau. It is distinguished by its famous ‘Napoleon’s Nose’, a basaltic outcrop which resembles the profile of the famous emperor Napoleon.  Historically known as Ben Madigan, which is derived from the Irish Beann Mhadagáin, meaning “Madagán’s peak”—so named after a king of Ulster called Madagán who died in 856AD.

Cave Hill is also 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.

 

As you can see from the images this was more of a Bram Stoker/Dracula rather than Jonathan Swift class of a day.  However, walking in the mist has it’s own mindful pleasures.  You are certainly not distracted by those gaudy but gorgeous views of the city.

Begin at the interpretative panel in the car park just before the entrance to Belfast Castle and find the route marked Cavehill circuit.  Follow this path through the woodland,  through the trees, climbing up to a plateau.

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. At the time of writing, there is no access to the cave as there has been a recent landslide. 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.

This fort, on the summit of the hill, is an example of an old rath or ring fort, a circular enclosure surrounded by an earthen wall: used as a dwelling and stronghold in former times. It is protected on one side by a precipice and on the others by a single ditch. It is believed that the fort’s inhabitants used the caves to store food for the winter and may have served as a refuge during times of attack.  This was also a meeting place of the United Irish Men in the eighteenth century.  Lots to think about as you swim ever onwards through the mist.

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.

 

The Newtownabbey Way is another one of those hidden gems of Belfast, easily accessible by all forms of transport and perfect for a short walk, especially on a winters day.  For a detailed map and statistics go to https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/newtownabbey-way-22586800.

The walk runs from Corrs Corner roundabout in Glengormley to Glen Park near the Lough Shore.  It is equally delightful either way and on this occasion, we started at the small car park at Glen Park on the Glenville Road just off the Shore Road and near the Lough shore.  It is almost traffic free save the occasional road crossing,  is very well signposted and has stretches of great natural beauty as well as impressive reminders of our industrial past.

We followed the path until we reached the impressive Bleach Green Railway Viaduct. The Viaduct was completed in 1933 to allow trains to run between Belfast York Road Station and Ballymena without having to reverse at Greenisland. We passed under the Viaduct to reach the parkland and Monkstown Wood, managed by the Woodland Trust. Here you will find a mixture of habitats, including grassland, mature woodland and recently planted woodland. There are at least 15 species of young native trees, over 8,000 in total including oak, cherry, hazel, ash and rowan.

We continued through Monkstown Village, the way is well signposted, to reach the Three Mile Water Conservation Park.

There are many intriguing little sidetracks begging to be explored but on this occasion, we followed the main path as far as the Mossley Mill Civic Centre and returned along the same route.

The Civic Centre is a former flax mill and was saved from demolition by Newtownabbey Borough Council in 1996. The restoration and the coffee are second to none and are both well worth a visit.