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.
Car parking (€5 fee in coins on entry)
Formed in the shallow reaches of the Back Strand by the constant deposits of sand and silt, the salt marsh is a transition zone between land and sea and is home to a variety of plant and animal life with a bird hide at the end of the trail. The trail follows forest track and there are signal information signs along the route.
Linear Trail
Length: 0.5km | Time: 12min - buggy and wheelchair friendly
Nearest town: Creeslough