Cave Hill Country Park

Enjoy breathtaking views and stand - quite literally - on top of Belfast during a visit to Cave Hill Country Park.

Belfast Castle and Cave Hill Adventurous Playground are both located inside the award-winning park, which also contains one of Belfast's most famous landmarks, Napoleon's Nose, believed to have been the inspiration for Jonathan Swift's novel, Gulliver's Travels.

A popular walking and cycling spot, the park also boasts many other historical features, including caves and quarries, as well as acres of natural beauty.

Download walking route for Cave Hill Country Park (PDF - 202KB)

Located on the seaward side of the Belfast Hills, Cave Hill itself rises to 368 metres or 1,207 feet above sea level. Like the rest of the hills, it is made up of black basalt rock and a bed of white limestone or chalk.

You can find out more about the history of this spectacular landmark, and its surrounding area, at Cave Hill Visitor Centre, located in Belfast Castle.

In 2010 and 2011, Cave Hill Country Park was recognised as a Green Flag site, with the judges praising its rich conservation and heritage, biodiversity and facilities for children. It was the first council-owned park to receive this prestigious award (in 2009).

More information about the Green Flag Awards is available from www.keepbritaintidy.org