A visit to Ards Forest Park will reward everyone at any time of the year.
The park covers approximately 480 hectares (1200 acres) and includes a variety of habitats, among them sand dunes, beaches, salt marshes, salt water lakes, rock face and, of course, coniferous and deciduous woodlands. With such a variety of landscapes, it is possible to spend many hours exploring this wonderful park. The sea is one of the real treasures of this forest park and there are several trails, the Binngorm trail, the Salt Marsh Trail and the Sand Dune Trail, which offer the hiker an opportunity to experience it in all its facets. There are a large number of trails in this park giving the walker the opportunity to explore a variety of habitats from foreshore and sand dunes to semi natural oak woodlands on rock outcrops. By “stitching together” a number of trails, it is possible to hike for 5/6 hours on forest tracks and trails, taking in the full circuit of the park.
This trail is located along the wooded shore of Lough Sladdamore and gives a vista over the Back Strand to the north. To the east there is access to the seashore through the sand dunes overlooking Sheep Haven Bay. It follows forest track, forest road and path.
Car parking (€5 fee in coins on entry)
Looped Trail
Length: 2.5km, Time: 1 hour - easy
Nearest town: Creeslough