Autumn in Northern Ireland sees a wash of colours spread across the countryside. Trees turn red, yellow and gold, hills and moors glow russet and red, and our hedgerows bow beneath the weight of ripe berries and fruits.
It’s a great season for wildlife spotting, too, with highlights including foraging jays, squirrels, rutting deer, overwintering wildfowl and waders.
Studies have also shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and boost mental wellbeing. The Japanese practice of “forest bathing,” or ‘shinrin-yoku’, which focuses on slow, mindful walks in natural settings, has been linked to improved immune function and enhanced mood.
So why not make the most of it and get outside?
From bracing hikes over windswept moorlands to gentle woodland strolls that are perfect for families. Based on the recommendations of The Woodland Trust, who look after almost 60 sites across Northern Ireland, we have put together our own guide to the best autumn walks.
Cabin Wood, Cookstown, Co Tyrone
Still in its infancy, Cabin Wood is a new woodland creation scheme managed by the Woodland Trust and Mid Ulster District Council. This 6.5-hectare wood has over 12,000 native trees, some of which were planted with the help of local people. Despite being situated only 1km from the edge of Cookstown, Cabin Wood retains a remarkably rural feel of beauty, peace and tranquillity. It also features pathways, created in recent years, to the Ballinderry and Killymoon Rivers.
The wood and neighbouring Killymoon Estate form an excellent habitat for wildlife, including Fallow deer.
Carnmoney Hill, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim
With awe-inspiring views of the city, Belfast Lough and the coast, Carnmoney Hill is a green oasis in an urban area. Steeped in history and folklore with a mix of ancient woodland, floral grassland and wetland, it is home to a wealth of wildlife.
Corrog Wood, Portaferry, Co Down
This small native woodland lies in a particularly scenic part of Co Down on the Ards Peninsula. Corrog means ‘the stoney ridge’ and the Woodland Trust planted sessile oak, ash, maple and birch here in 2000.
Look out for the pond and meadow near the entrance, and the well-established native hedge that provides valuable habitat for pollinators and birds. Keep an eye out for buzzards and Irish hares as well as a sculpture of a tree spirit known locally as ‘The Frump’.
The Drum, Cargan, Co Antrim
Created in 2000 and nestled within the slopes of Slievenanee Mountain, this wood offers visitors a peaceful setting to stroll amongst native trees including oak, ash, Scots pine and alder.
The Drum name is derived from the winding gear left over from the iron ore mines once located in the hills above. The meadows and wood provide hunting territory for the many raptors notably sparrowhawk, kestrel and buzzard. Ponds and boggy areas provide valuable habitat for frogs and attract dragonflies and damselflies.
Drumnaph Wood, Maghera, Co Derry
At the gateway to the Sperrin Hills, this beautiful ancient woodland is one of the few remaining fragments of a great forest that once covered much of mid-Ulster. Enjoy flower-rich woods or spotting Irish hares in the rush meadows.
Throughout the year Drumnaph Wood’s varied mix of habitats is a joy to explore. In spring the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebells and other flowering plants. In summer, butterflies bring Drumnaph’s meadows and woodland edges to life, while brightly-coloured dragonflies patrol the bog cotton grass in wetland areas.
Whether you are interested in timeless woodland, excellent walks or fascinating cultural connections, Drumnaph Wood is well worth a visit.
The Faughan Valley Woodlands, Claudy, Co Derry
The picturesque Faughan Valley Woodlands are made up of a collection of enchanting ancient woods, including Oaks Wood, Brackfield Wood, Red Brae Wood, Killaloo Wood, Burntollet Wood and Brackfield Bawn Wood. In August 2023, the Woodland Trust completed a long-term project to reconnect these woods along paths, across the River Faughan and even underneath the busy Glenshane Pass.
Glasswater Wood, Crossgar, Co Down
This popular local wood is named after the Glasswater River that runs nearby, and it was once part of the Great Wood of the Dufferin that ran from Downpatrick to Bangor. In recent years, the Woodland Trust extended the woodland, installed new walking trails and created a new car park to accommodate visitors.
Mourne Park, Kilkeel, Co Down
An extremely rare and ancient wildlife haven set at the foot of the southern Mournes, there are three pathways through ancient native woodland and along the Whitewater River. Here, the Woodland Trust opened 188 hectares of woodland, parkland and forest to the public in 2022.
