At 370 metres above sea level, the Cave Hill dominates much of north Belfast and can be spotted from many locations across the city.
From certain vantage points, mainly in the city centre, along the Antrim Road and from the east of the City, it is possible to make out a side profile of a human face when looking at Cave Hill. This profile is said to have been the inspiration of Gulliver for Jonathan Swift, the shape of the hill does look strikingly like a giant, lying down, looking skyward.
Enjoyed for its recreational value today, the Cave Hill in North Belfast attracts hundreds of locals and visitors each year. The Belfast Castle sits at the foot of the hill and provides the perfect start or finish point for a good walk.
With beautiful gardens (look out for the nine cats hidden among the flower beds and garden furnishings), a restaurant, bar, exhibition centre, souvenir and antique shop and toilet facilities, the Castle is a great destination by itself but is also an ideal spot to begin a walk.
There are numerous trails throughout the Cave Hill Country Park but the best of them offers a circular walk up to McArt’s Fort, an ancient coronation site for Irish Chieftains. It is a 3.15 mile (5.1km) route from a height of 133 metres above sea level to 351 metres – a total climb of 218 metres over occasionally steep paths of gravel, grass or well trodden sod!
The whole city gradually opens up below as you climb above the tree line. There are numerous vantage points to take photographs and to catch your breath!
Climbing to the top of McArt’s Fort (Napoleon’s Nose as the locals call it) is one of the best ways to see all of Belfast and to learn about its past. From the top you can enjoy views all over the north, east and south of the city including spectacular views of Belfast Lough and Titanic Belfast.
On really clear days you can see significantly further afield including much of the Antrim plateau including its highest point, Trostan, Scrabo Tower in Newtownards, the mountains of Mourne and even parts of Scotland.
The Cave Hill is full of ancient and modern history and fascinating geology. Stop at the exhibition in the cellar of the castle before or after your walk to learn about the Donegall Family who once owned much of Belfast and who built the castle in the 1870’s, eventually donating the Castle and the estate to the city of Belfast in the 1930’s.
Find out about Wolfe Tone and Henry Joy McCracken of the United Irishmen who met at the Caves ahead of the 1798 rebellion. Going further back in time learn about archaeological sites, burial chambers and one time coronation sites.
Just higher than the ‘nose’ itself, at a few hundred metres, you can find the remains of an old burial chamber. Near the Hightown Road entrance to the Cave Hill Country Park (an alternative starting point, which significantly reduces the climb), you can find an ancient ráth or ring fort which is now believed to date back to at least the Bronze Age. There are some 3000 of these structures throughout Ireland.
Taking the northward path to return to the Castle via the caves, your descent is steep in parts. There are five caves, three of which can be viewed from the path. The caves themselves are dangerous and are therefore inaccessible.
There is a long held myth that the caves were man-made in the iron age, although the geological survey of NI confirms they are actually naturally occurring ‘bubbles’ formed by the cooling molten lava which shaped this landscape some 60 million years ago.
The total walk can be done in around an hour and a half or two hours if you stop for a picnic at the top! It isn’t suitable for those with mobility or significant fitness restrictions. In very wet weather, un-surfaced paths can be muddy.
There are steep ascents and descents. Although the weather may be beautiful in the centre of Belfast or at the start of your walk at the castle, the climb to the top can result in a significant change in temperature or wind speed.
When walking anywhere in Ireland in any season, it is always good to have a waterproof coat. It is perfectly possible at most times of the year to do this circular walk in trainers, although hiking boots or trekking shoes are better, if you have them with you.
There is free parking in the grounds of the Castle estate or you can get any Metro bus going up the Antrim Road from Upper Queen Street in central Belfast – although you still have a 10 -15 minute walk through a residential area to arrive at the castle itself.
There is free parking in the grounds of the Castle estate or you can get any Metro bus going up the Antrim Road from Upper Queen Street in central Belfast – although you still have a 10 -15 minute walk through a residential area to arrive at the castle itself.
You can book a guide from just £80.00 to accompany you up Cavehill and bring this amazing place to life – simply email info@citysightseeingbelfast.com or call us on +44 (0)28 90 321321 at any time.