Weds 24th Apr 2024
Barnavave Loop
Weds 17th Apr 2024
Tievendarragh Wood and Bohill Forest
Almost all of the 24 Spartans assembled in the car park at Tievendarragh Wood confessed that they had driven past literally hundreds of times heading towards Newcastle and the Mournes, but had never set foot in the woods on either side of the Belfast-Newcastle A24. The initial topic of conversation was whether or not to wear over trousers. The 16 who had been out on walks on recent wet Wednesdays did, but the 8 who didn’t still fared rather well as the rain began to ease as we walked a “S” shaped route along the gravel trails of Tievendarragh Wood, stopping briefly at a viewpoint towards the barely visible Mournes.
Over, under or limbo was the choice of how to cross the gate in “stile” onto the busy A24. Crossing the main road, the route led into Bowhill Forest following in district paths through the forest. The group wound the way up the hill to emerge out of the woods to a rocky clearing with views to the west. Fortunately the rain had by now eased to allow for a break with, lovely views overlooking Tannaghmore reservoir toward Slieve Croob and Drumkeeragh. Descending the hill, the route diverted through Bohill Nature reserve before emerging onto Tannaghmore Road, walking south then turning left onto a “loanin”. Emerging back onto the A24 we walked alongside the busy road for a short distance, then crossing the road to returning through the southernmost trail of Tivendarragh Wood to the carpark. |
All but one of the Spartans were sufficiently hungry after 5 miles of walking to repair to “The Stick” at Brennans for lunch followed for some by a famous Brennan’s ice cream. Stephen Gilmore |
Weds 10th Apr 2024
Knockagh
10 Spartans met on a wet day at Woodburn Forest, Newtownabbey. Thankfully the rain subsided as we started to walk through the forest. In fact it stopped! However as we decided to try a new route round the upper Wood burn reservoir rather than be exposed to the elements at Knockagh we encountered very bad mud. Undaunted the Spartans walked through the mud and then took an easier route round the lower reservoir. Many adjourned afterwards for a cuppa at Rumours cafe in Carrick. David |
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Weds 27th Mar 2024
Cavehill
In hope that the weather would be more favourable than forecast, it was a quality rather than a quantity Spartans turnout that met at Belfast Castle. John, Terry and Paul walked the Cave Hill Trail anti-clockwise from the Castle up through the forest, past the Caves and stopping at McArts Fort to enjoy the view across to Scrabo emerging through the low clouds and mist. A slight detour was taken to achieve the summit of Cave Hill at 1207 ft and then the descent along the well surfaced path towards the Hightown Road was followed. To optimise the vistas over Belfast and the Lagan Valley, Terry suggested the path around the quarry which was well worth it, and without a rain cloud in sight! |
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Arriving back at the Castle and having managed to dodge the forecast heavy showers, a downpour started just as we were getting into our cars. Perfect timing! A distance just shy of 4 miles and a total ascent of 900 ft. Great chat and craic as ever, and thanks to Terry for the local knowledge! Paul
Weds 20th Mar 2024
Gracehill
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Ballymena was the location of our walk , starting at the local garden centre, walking along the River Maine and behind the old Gallagher factory. We stopped in the historic Gracehill village square for a look around. Then we crossed back through Galgorm Castle grounds to wind our way down to the River Braid. We were very lucky with the weather so of course everywhere was looking at its best. Sevenish miles and 2 and three quarters hours of walking time plus the looking about us time…
Coffee and delicious eats finished off the day in that well placed garden centre! Isobel
Coffee and delicious eats finished off the day in that well placed garden centre! Isobel
Weds 13th Mar 2024
Lagan Towpath
It was a mild but rather damp day when 18 Spartans gathered in the Stranmillis Boat Club car park to walk the second leg of the River Lagan Tow Path dander. The walk took us from Stranmillis as far as the second foot bridge. The start of the walk followed the perimeter track until it reached Bladon Drive. From here we walked the path through Lagan Meadows back to the river and along the tow path. We crossed the recently repaired foot bridge and headed uphill to the Belvoir Forest car park which was once the site of Belvoir House built by Arthur Hill the First Viscount Dungannon. Having been left a considerable inheritance by his uncle, Sir John Trevor, Arthur Hill changed his surname to Hill-Trevor It was here we took a banana break. Crossing the car part our onward route took us in the direction of the Norman Motte dated from 12th-14th century. Sadly today the top is overgrown and the commanding views which it once had are now obliterated. We took the path past the ice house and along the course of the Lagan until it took a sharp right Here the path becomes much wider. We paused for a time in a glorious redwood clearing. This once formed part of the arboretum planted by Arthur Hill-Trevor. Further up the track, on the right was the site of the estate’s orchard. The path continues and passes the now abandoned grave yard which is the last resting place of some members of the Hill Family. Using various tracks we made our way back to the car park where we had a lunch. At the weekend it is possible to purchase coffee, sandwiches and tray bakes et. I from the ‘horse box cafe’ parked here but not today. After lunch we walk back to the bridge and onto the tow path. From here it was an easy dander back to the Boat Club cafe and refreshments.
Thanks everyone for your company. Walk statistics:- distance 6 miles, walk time 3 hours. Ray and Hazel
Thanks everyone for your company. Walk statistics:- distance 6 miles, walk time 3 hours. Ray and Hazel
Weds 6th March
Giant's Ring Circuit
The lovely spring sunshine encouraged 28 Spartans to shake off the winter blues and partake in the Giant's Ring walk. We started at the top car park at the Mary Peter's track and followed the path leading down to the Lagan towpath. We walked as far as the Gilchrist bridge and crossed over the river to walk into Edenderry village and on out towards the Giant's Ring and Dolmen. From here we headed down to the Giant's Ring Road and followed the sand-pit trail onto the Minnowburn trail where we stopped at the Terrace Hill garden for a short break and to admire the wonderful view. Continuing along the Minnowburn Trail we crossed over the Edenderry Road and followed the trail along the Lagan until we reached Shaw's Bridge. We then headed up into Barnett's Demesne and made our way to Cafe Nosh at Malone House. What a great welcome we had here - it pays to ring ahead!! They had organised a room for us all to sit in and despite the chaos that a large group causes, the staff dealt with us very efficiently. We were soon tucking into various yummy dishes and enjoying the craic.
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Once finished we headed back out into the sunshine to complete our walk back to the car park at Mary Peter's.
We walked approximately 8 km give or take a few hundred meters (depends on whose walking app is most accurate!!). Marian
We walked approximately 8 km give or take a few hundred meters (depends on whose walking app is most accurate!!). Marian
Weds 28th Feb 2024
Peatlands Park
Weds 21st Feb 2024
Cregagh Glen & Lisnabreeny
19 Spartans assembled at the entrance to Cregagh Glen to walk uphill to the Lisnabreeny Rath. This wooded glen is all that remains of a forest that once covered 1000 acres. There are several waterfalls on the river, and the glen contains some mature mixed woodland of sycamore, beech, Scots pine and ash. The side of the Glen was covered in emerging bluebells but as yet no flowers. This would make for a lovely dander during April when the bluebells where in full flower. The Cregagh Glen was once part of the Robb Estate. A grand house once stood close to the top of the Glen and was owned by the Robb family who in turn owned Robbs a large department store situated in Castle Place in Belfast. Many will remember visiting it to see Santa. in 1939 Lisnabreeny House and the 166 acre estate including Cregagh Glen, Lisnabreeny Rath and the site of the American military cemetery was donated to the National Trust. Afterwards for a short time the ‘house’ was run as a youth hostel but was handed over to the American forces when they joined the allies in 1942. After the war it became a ruin but was rescued by a group of parents in the ‘All Together Organisation’, founders of integrated school movement and became part of the Lagan College complex. The group took the time to detour to the American Cemetery where 148 American servicemen were buried between 1943 and 1945. Ironically nearly half of those interred died as a result of natural causes, road or training accidents and most were airmen. In 1948 their bodies were exhumed by a team of 5 morticians and re-buried in Cambridge or back in the States. We retraced our steps back to the glen and when we emerged from its dim dampness we headed onwards and upwards through the grounds of Lisnabreeny House to Lisnabreeny Rath on the summit of the hill. As we ascended the hill we had spectacular views over Belfast. Over 1000 years ago the Rath was the homestead of a farming family The Rath once consisted of a large circular earth bank topped with a timber stockade with a ditch on the outside. The rath would have contained round huts and would have been a containment for animals typically cattle which could have been herded in for protection from marauding rustlers or wild animals. So far our walk had been a two mile uphill climb. After a banana break it was time to make the return journey following almost the same route.
After the walk a number of Spartans made for Cafe Nero in Sainsbury’s for more talk and well deserved refreshments. Thanks to all the Spartans.
Walk statistics :- distance 5.6 miles, walk time 3.5 hours, ascent 836 feet. Raymond Smyth
After the walk a number of Spartans made for Cafe Nero in Sainsbury’s for more talk and well deserved refreshments. Thanks to all the Spartans.
Walk statistics :- distance 5.6 miles, walk time 3.5 hours, ascent 836 feet. Raymond Smyth
Weds 14th Feb 2024
Dundrum
On Valentines Day 23 Spartans met up in Dundrum for a walk in the Sand Dunes, Beach and Forest of Dundrum Bay. The weather was good to us and we managed to avoid the promised rain showers forecast for the day. The usual fan club of hecklers turned up (you know who you are!!) and instilled lots of confidence in the Leader with comments like “Do You know where you’re going?”, “Have we been here before?”. But that’s okay I will get my turn … eventually 😊 A leisurely lunch in the Sand Dunes then onwards down the Beach. Turning to head for the small Forest. At this point 23 became 19 as 4 Spartans took a short cut to the end of the walk. All in all, a good day was had. John
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Weds 7th Feb 2024
Somme Centre to Crawfordsburn
24 of us met up at the Somme Centre carpark, Conlig. It was a lovely day – dry, a bit sunny, a bit nippy but great for walking.
From the carpark we headed off up through the lead mines & across the Clandeboye Golf Course up to Helen’s Tower. Then the route was down past the ponds & along a short bit of the Crawfordsburn Road - with care as it is pretty busy ! From there we followed the track through the woods, past the Blackwood Golf Centre & across the Ballysallagh Road, to join the Clandeboye Carriageway as far as the Belfast Road. Then we walked into Crawfordsburn village & down through the Country Park to the Woodlands Café for a bite of lunch.
As this was an end-to-end walk, a number of people used public transport (train & bus) while other arranged lifts.
My phone says we walked 11.3 kilomteres (7 miles) & 17,200 steps in about 3 hours. Thanks to everyone who took part – it was a fun day out. Jessica
From the carpark we headed off up through the lead mines & across the Clandeboye Golf Course up to Helen’s Tower. Then the route was down past the ponds & along a short bit of the Crawfordsburn Road - with care as it is pretty busy ! From there we followed the track through the woods, past the Blackwood Golf Centre & across the Ballysallagh Road, to join the Clandeboye Carriageway as far as the Belfast Road. Then we walked into Crawfordsburn village & down through the Country Park to the Woodlands Café for a bite of lunch.
As this was an end-to-end walk, a number of people used public transport (train & bus) while other arranged lifts.
My phone says we walked 11.3 kilomteres (7 miles) & 17,200 steps in about 3 hours. Thanks to everyone who took part – it was a fun day out. Jessica
Weds 31st Jan 2024
Cairn Wood
19 Spartans met on a rather breezy winters day at Cairn Wood Forest. The Met Office had issued a ‘yellow warning’ for the day so just in case alternative walk arrangements were put in place. As it was it was decided to keep to our original plan. Our route took us around the perimeter of the forest. In places fallen trees blocked our path but nothing too serious. The route we followed is well documented in other walk reports; 25.01.23 and 15.06.22. so no need to repeat myself.
Towards the end of the dander we encountered Angus the ‘bird whisperer’ of Cairn Wood. Angus has been feeding the birds for 30 years and knows everything there is to know about the forest. He leaves little piles of bird seeds at certain places around the lower paths of the forest and when he whistles the birds flock to feed. He also informed the group there was a colony of red squirrels at the top end of the wood but feared if a proposed development of 300 houses, just a few hundred yards from the forest was granted permission the squirrel population would be wiped out. He went on to tell us he was probably the last post war person to have descended into the dugout which was a World War Two lookout post. The forestry service feared for the safety of the public and piled trees over the entrance so effectively sealing it.
Walk statistics:- A circular route distance 4.5 miles, walk time 2.5 hours, ascent 600 feet
Following the walk some Spartans retired to McKees Farm-shop and Cafe for some well earned refreshments. Raymond Smyth
Towards the end of the dander we encountered Angus the ‘bird whisperer’ of Cairn Wood. Angus has been feeding the birds for 30 years and knows everything there is to know about the forest. He leaves little piles of bird seeds at certain places around the lower paths of the forest and when he whistles the birds flock to feed. He also informed the group there was a colony of red squirrels at the top end of the wood but feared if a proposed development of 300 houses, just a few hundred yards from the forest was granted permission the squirrel population would be wiped out. He went on to tell us he was probably the last post war person to have descended into the dugout which was a World War Two lookout post. The forestry service feared for the safety of the public and piled trees over the entrance so effectively sealing it.
Walk statistics:- A circular route distance 4.5 miles, walk time 2.5 hours, ascent 600 feet
Following the walk some Spartans retired to McKees Farm-shop and Cafe for some well earned refreshments. Raymond Smyth
Weds 24th Jan 2024
Montalto
Weds 17th Jan 2024
Scrabo Hill and Killynether Wood
Weds 10th Jan 2024
CSL to Stormont
A bumper crop of 28 Spartans enjoyed a very pleasant 5 mile walk on a beautiful winter’s day in East Belfast. We met up at C S Lewis Square in the inner east and made our way to Stormont via the Comber Greenway. The Greenway provides a surprisingly tranquil route through an urban environment and the Stormont estate was looking splendid in the winter sunshine. After a circumnavigation of the estate, the walk finished at the picnic tables close to the main gates where the chat continued over lunch. Graeme |
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Weds 3rd Jan 2024
Bangor to Holywood
Twenty-seven Spartans met on Wednesday 3rd January 2024 at Pickie Café in Bangor and walked 16km along the coastal path towards Holywood. We were glad to get some exercise after the holidays. The day was bright and the chat was good. We stopped at the Woodlands Café in Crawfordsburn Country Park for lunch. A good start to the New Year. We finished at Holywood to get the trains home. Jackie.