Explore mixed woodland through 3 scenic forest trails with native broadleaves, resident red squirrels, and open heathland views rising to 200m.

Cairn Wood in Ballysallagh is a Forest Nature Reserve offering visitors a choice of 3 circular walking routes through mixed woodland terrain. Once part of the historic Clandeboye Estate, this 200-acre woodland is important for its conservation value and landscape significance in North Down. The forest features predominantly beech trees alongside oak, birch, alder, rowan, and holly, with Scots pine conifers creating a diverse ecosystem. Visitors can experience easy to moderate walking on unsurfaced forest tracks with some steep sections, taking them through different habitat types including native broadleaf woodland, open grassland areas, and heathland with bilberry. The reserve is home to resident red squirrels and hosts a wide range of small songbirds and raptors, making it excellent for wildlife spotting and nature observation. There is also a permanent orienteering course for those seeking an interactive experience. The venue is particularly popular with families and dog walkers, offering accessible outdoor recreation with car parking and picnic facilities at the trailhead. Dogs are welcome but must be kept under control, with designated foul bins provided. The working forest environment means routes may occasionally be subject to diversion, with up-to-date information available through the Forest Service website. Free entry and good accessibility make Cairn Wood an ideal destination for families seeking outdoor nature exploration near Holywood.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

R

Rhiannah Warm

2 months ago

Lots of different routes to follow with boards describing the areas and activities suggested for kids to do such as spotting various features or listening for a range of birdsong.

A

andrew gray

6 months ago

We regularly go to Cairn woods for a lovely circular 5 k walk which is challenging enough but very enjoyable. Plenty of parking and safe for the dog.

J

Jen S

a year ago

Beautiful forest walk with mixed trails. Some are pretty flat and even, others are quite steep but there are options, it depends on the path you take. The views at the top are amazing, you can see out over Belfast. Only bins at the entrance which isn't great but there are loos! Occasionally, a wee coffee trailer parks up and has good coffee and tray bakes.

M

M Lacey

2 years ago

Cairn Wood is one of our favourite places to walk our dogs. A beautiful wood with several trails of varying challenge, the longest, round the boundary, being 4.5 km. There is a well-maintained car park at the entrance which can get full at weekends. Easy to access. Great walks.

S

Simon Gibson

3 years ago

A very relaxed and enjoyable meander. For that little bit of fresh air, Cairn Wood was a great option today. Every dog walker we encountered was well mannered and in control of their dog; excellent to see that! We did notice a few dog land mines however; this was a well kept public walk for sure. Several options of which trail you might choose to follow, all marked up well at each junction. The coffee served at Batch (in the car park) served up a decent, and perfectly hot, cup of coffee! The tray bake options are all pretty decent!!

Reviews last updated: 7 October 2026