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Guided Walks in 2025

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 guidedwalks 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.

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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. 

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 Details of planned events for 2024 are outlined below in the schedule of Walks and Activities. 

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What you should know beforehand:

 

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 graded E and more challenging ones are graded M. Young people under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The activities may be changed on the day, depending on weather or other adverse circumstances.

 

If you have any worries about fitness or have medical conditions which might 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 that 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 always stays together.

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Saturday 26th  April 10.00 to 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

 

Saturday17th May 05.00 to 07.30

Dawn chorus

Aaron Kelly, an enthusiastic naturalist with a particular love of Black Mountain 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 24th  May10.00 to13.00  

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 21st June 03.30 to 06.30

Solstice walk 

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

 

Saturday 5th July 10.00 to 13.00    

Forage on Cave Hill

Phil Simpson has a fund of practical knowledge and plant lore. We’ll walk in his company to see what useful plants we can find. Meet at the Castle. Grade E

 

Saturday 19th July 10.00 to13.00   

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

 

Saturday16th August 1000-1300   

Botany walk

 Ballyaghagan at the back of the hill is a nature reserve full of wild flowers. Judy Meharg, an officer with Belfast Hills Partnership will walk us through and show us its wonderful variety. Meet at the car park off the Upper Hightown Road. Grade M

 

Friday 5th  September 20.30 to 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 27th  September 10.00 to 13.00           

Fungal Foray

Debbie Nelson will lead us in a snuffle through the Cave Hill woods to see what fungi we can find and identify. Meet at the Castle. Grade E

 

Saturday 18th  October 10.00 to 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 the Upper Hightown Road.  Grade  E

 

 

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

 

All these walks are free.

 

 

For further details:

 

 

  • Facebook site for Cave Hill Conservation Campaign

 

 

  • phone 90291357

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