On the A2 between Ballycastle and Cushendall, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Ballypatrick Forest
Forest
Place photograph
6.8
Wildland
1–2 hours to a half day
Time
Check
Cost
Wild
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.8An extensive upland forest on the Causeway Coast, where a waymarked wildlife trail, the stone-arched Irish Ford and a several-thousand-year-old double-chambered cairn give the woodland more to discover than a simple forest walk.
Ballypatrick stands out for the contrast between working upland forest, open views towards the Causeway Coast and tangible traces of much older landscapes. The Irish Ford and the unusual Double-Horned Cairn give a walk here a strong sense of place; check current forestry conditions before travelling.
Wild · Peaceful · Big-sky
Find your way
Open mapOn the A2 between Ballycastle and Cushendall, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Choose a short forest walk or allow longer to explore the trails and heritage features. The supplied sources describe a waymarked Wildlife Trail from the Horseshoe car park, the Irish Ford and the Double-Horned Cairn. Routes and access can be affected by forestry work, so verify current conditions.
Things to do
Walk the waymarked Wildlife Trail
The supplied sources describe a waymarked trail from the Horseshoe car park, with wildlife ponds and opportunities to watch for birds and other wildlife. Check the current route status before setting out.
Find the Irish Ford
Look for the stone-arched crossing where the forest road and Corratavey Burn meet. A supplied source describes a picnic area beyond the arch; confirm access and facilities locally.
Seek out the Double-Horned Cairn
A supplied source describes this as a Neolithic burial monument with two chambers, an unusual form in Northern Ireland. Check that the route to it is currently accessible.
Look out over the upland forest
The forest’s higher ground has views towards the Causeway Coast; the exact viewpoints and their current access should be checked before visiting.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour
Quick forest escape
- 01
Check current access and forestry notices before setting out.
- 02
From the Horseshoe car park, follow the waymarked Wildlife Trail if it is open.
- 03
Allow time to look for the forest’s wildlife and changing views; return by the same route or follow trail signs.
Half day · Around 3–4 hours; verify route and current conditions
Forest and heritage half day
- 01
Check current access and forestry notices before travelling.
- 02
Explore the forest on foot, using the waymarked Wildlife Trail where open.
- 03
Look for the Irish Ford and the Double-Horned Cairn if the relevant routes are accessible.
- 04
Pause at an open viewpoint or picnic area mentioned in the supplied sources, if accessible.
Verified history
A supplied source describes the Double-Horned Cairn as a Neolithic burial mound dating broadly to 4000–2000 BC, with two burial chambers. Another source gives a date of around 2000 BC. The forest’s timber history is also noted: the Stuart family reportedly cut native oak and larch here for Royal Navy shipbuilding in the 17th and 18th centuries. Treat specific dates and details as source-reported rather than independently confirmed.
Hidden details
A rare two-chambered cairn — The Double-Horned Cairn is described in a supplied source as having two burial chambers, rather than the single chamber said to be more common among comparable tombs in Northern Ireland.
The older trees at the entrance — A supplied source says the oldest planted block at the forest entrance dates to 1948, with filtered views towards upland sheep pastures and the headwaters of the Carey River.
When to go
· Not established by the supplied sources.
The supplied sources do not identify a best season or reliably timed wildlife or flowering highlights.
Check the local forecast and current forestry notices. The supplied sources do not provide specific weather or seasonal access guidance.
The route
- ascent
- 915 ft for the AllTrails circular route
- distance
- 8.8 miles for the AllTrails circular route
- duration
- 3.5–4 hours for the AllTrails circular route
- difficulty
- Moderate according to AllTrails
- waymarking
- A waymarked Wildlife Trail from the Horseshoe car park is reported; waymarking for the full circular route is not established.
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- Horseshoe car park for the reported Wildlife Trail; confirm current access and start arrangements.
- parking start
- Parking at the forest is reported by a supplied source. Confirm current car park access before travelling.
- shorter alternative
- The supplied sources describe a roughly one-hour forest walk and a waymarked Wildlife Trail, but do not give a verified distance for a shorter alternative.
- Waymarked Wildlife Trail
- Irish Ford
- Double-Horned Cairn
- Upland views towards the Causeway Coast
What to look for
Look for the stone arch of the Irish Ford and, if current access allows, the Double-Horned Cairn. The sources also describe upland views, native broadleaf stands and open areas among the conifers.
The story
Archaeology; timber and forestry
Best time to go
Check current conditions before visiting; the supplied sources do not establish a best season.
No best time of day is verified by the supplied sources. Check current forestry notices and weather before travelling.
How long to spend
1–2 hours to a half day
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Families
Practical information
Opening & access
A forest destination with access from the A2. A supplied source describes free entry and parking; check current access and forestry notices before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
Parking is reported at the forest. Current car park access and conditions are not confirmed; check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Dogs
The source row marks the place dog-friendly; check current forest guidance and signage before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
No verified accessibility information supplied. Check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free entry and parking are reported by a supplied source; check before visiting.
Check before visiting
Water
Corratavey Burn and forest streams are mentioned in supplied sources. No swimming or paddling permission is established.
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Ballypatrick Forest
No other mapped Wildland places within 50 km yet.