Glenariff Forest Park
Glenariff Forest Park
Glenariff Forest Park
4.5
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4.5
372 reviews
Excellent
234
Very good
89
Average
28
Poor
6
Terrible
15
holly f
4 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Lovely walks and views! Would recommend for locals to visit for some head space and to enjoy nature or do some nice walks with the dog
MAJOR downside was the rudeness of the staff in gift shop/cafe
I wanted to get a postcard to send to family over seas and asked if I could pay by card where they answered back very rudely ‘you want to pay by card for a postcard that’s 50p?!?’
I answered back and said I didn’t have cash on me and if it was an issue I could put the postcard back. They then rolled their eyes and sighed and ‘tried’ to use the card machine and told me to tap my card (I could see they clearly didn’t even put the card machine on or type any amount on it) after doing this they announced ‘your card isn’t working!!!’ I said ok not a problem I’ll put the postcard back and to have a nice day which they then tutted and walked away.
I understand people have bad days in work but don’t take it out on the customers! Yes I know it’s probably crazy to pay with card with something so inexpensive but surely every transaction would be appreciated in the tourism sector trying to recover from the impacts of covid
MAJOR downside was the rudeness of the staff in gift shop/cafe
I wanted to get a postcard to send to family over seas and asked if I could pay by card where they answered back very rudely ‘you want to pay by card for a postcard that’s 50p?!?’
I answered back and said I didn’t have cash on me and if it was an issue I could put the postcard back. They then rolled their eyes and sighed and ‘tried’ to use the card machine and told me to tap my card (I could see they clearly didn’t even put the card machine on or type any amount on it) after doing this they announced ‘your card isn’t working!!!’ I said ok not a problem I’ll put the postcard back and to have a nice day which they then tutted and walked away.
I understand people have bad days in work but don’t take it out on the customers! Yes I know it’s probably crazy to pay with card with something so inexpensive but surely every transaction would be appreciated in the tourism sector trying to recover from the impacts of covid
Written 7 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dawn B
Ballymoney, UK19 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
By sorting out the parking ticket machine. We had visitors from Canada with us and went to Glenariff Forest Park on Easter Monday. We could not get any further than the car park. My husband stood in the queue to pay for parking for almost an hour and we calculated that it would be another hour before he got to the ticket machine. It was taking 4-5 minutes for each customer to complete payment at the machine and there must have been 30 people in the queue at any one time. Like many others, we gave up and left. Absolutely ridiculous! We were at the Park last August and the situation was the same. Does no-one have the gumption to sort this out either by putting in more machines or collecting the parking fee manually. A trained chimp would have been more efficient than this machine. Some hope of attracting tourists to this shambles of a place. Won't be back!!!
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gabe186470
Belfast, UK164 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
A walk that just was fairly uneventful, granted not helped by a rainy and misty day, but a long walk just to see two waterfalls? Expensive to park a car in the countryside for £5 for the duration of a walk, roughly an hour and a half, cheaper parking in Belfast City Centre! Anyway, dreadful signage, or more accurately a lack of signposts leading to us constantly walking into dead ends and having to retrace our steps. On the morning we visited, no catering available as restaurant still not open, even though it was a public holiday. No bins to discard our dog’s poo-bag, paths covered in cigarette ends, generally poor and inadequate upkeep.
Written 3 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Avux99
Cheshire, UK1,774 contributions
Feb 2020 • Solo
Stopped off at Glenariff in on/off blizzard conditions just to do the Waterfall walk. Only me & one other car there! Car park is £5. First part of the walk (going clockwise) is pretty easy as it’s all down into the gorge & part boardwalked. If it’s wet (or snowing !) just take your time & have good footwear. The second half of the walk is less enjoyable as there are no more waterfalls & it’s a long (over a km) trudge uphill back out of the gorge. I’m reasonably fit but still found it an arduous slog. Or maybe I’m just getting old!? Snow was the icing on the cake though, physically & metaphorically, made it somewhat magical!
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lizziebrown56
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK20 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
After spending a day already on the Causeway path, we only had a short day left before heading home so we wanted to do ‘the best bits’. After looking online and finding a travellers blog, they recommended this place and I am so glad we ended our holiday here! The drive was lovely and we paid £5 to park at the top. We went for the Waterfall walk which was 3km with our 2 year old and stroller (being around nap time). We did struggle from the get go with the pram down the path as it was steep and had lots of rocks/ pebbles. We ended up collapsing it and carrying it as we hit the board walk and couldn’t manage any more. The waterfalls were amazing and beautiful! At the bottom we found a restaurant which I feel like now would have been the easier option to park and go on foot without the pram the short walk up and down to the waterfalls (if I had known). There was a second area of a beautiful waterfall too over the small bridge not to be missed. The walk back up was very hard over pebbles and stones with the child back in the pram. She did sleep and together taking turns we made it back up to the top. We sat on the benches taking in the view and had lunch at the on-site cafe. I would definitely visit again in the future without the pram and doing the scenic walk instead.
Written 15 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tina Y
Weston super Mare, UK114 contributions
Aug 2024 • Friends
The weather was in our favour, it was a dry but overcast day. Still warm but the air was chilly but made it a pleasant walk to the waterfall.
The first scene you see when you arrive at the car park is breathtaking even though the weather was cloudy.
We choose the waterfall route and you should wear good shoes. There is a cafe half way so you can stop for a drink or food before you finish the remainder of the 20 minute journey.
At different parts of the journey there is ample opportunity to take photos to make it memorable. It's a nice place to visit on a regular basis if you live nearby.
The first scene you see when you arrive at the car park is breathtaking even though the weather was cloudy.
We choose the waterfall route and you should wear good shoes. There is a cafe half way so you can stop for a drink or food before you finish the remainder of the 20 minute journey.
At different parts of the journey there is ample opportunity to take photos to make it memorable. It's a nice place to visit on a regular basis if you live nearby.
Written 15 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ei75
Northern Ireland, UK105 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
I haven’t visited here in over 20 years despite only living an hour away. I’m been meaning to take my kids for years (14 & 9). We took the Waterfall trail which is 3km. It’s quite steep going down & can be a bit slippy. We’d wellies on so not the best grip. We’d had quite a bit of rain so the waterfalls were amazing with the water flowing fast. The walk back up is hard going and I’d to stop several times. I’m so unfit but it was well worth it. The coffee shop was closed because of covid but toilets were opened & very clean. We didn’t have to pay for the car park or entry and we’d brought a picnic so didn’t spend any money!
Written 25 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fussybuttrue
95 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
Such a beautiful place.
I'm not an elderly person but I do have a few ailments.
I had seen pictures all over social media about this spectacular waterfall.
So we called off with my 2 dogs.
The walk down is steep, mainly steps but they do get very slippy towards the bottom so be careful, especially if your dog gives the ultimate tug on the lead.
Unfortunately we didnt get to spend too long as there was photographers standing taking up most of the bridge with all their bags & tripods!
I'll attach a pic, it sounds very powerful.
My problem started on the way back up. I was glad I took my heart medication that day anyway.
Its extremely steep, the incline back up is a wider path and thankfully there are seats but my goodness its steep.
On the quick Google search it said 2.5km walk - it felt like triple that, so be very cautious if you've a medical condition. I wish I knew this as it ruined the rest of my trip from illness.
I do believe you can park at the restaurant and walk from there, wish we done that!
I'm not an elderly person but I do have a few ailments.
I had seen pictures all over social media about this spectacular waterfall.
So we called off with my 2 dogs.
The walk down is steep, mainly steps but they do get very slippy towards the bottom so be careful, especially if your dog gives the ultimate tug on the lead.
Unfortunately we didnt get to spend too long as there was photographers standing taking up most of the bridge with all their bags & tripods!
I'll attach a pic, it sounds very powerful.
My problem started on the way back up. I was glad I took my heart medication that day anyway.
Its extremely steep, the incline back up is a wider path and thankfully there are seats but my goodness its steep.
On the quick Google search it said 2.5km walk - it felt like triple that, so be very cautious if you've a medical condition. I wish I knew this as it ruined the rest of my trip from illness.
I do believe you can park at the restaurant and walk from there, wish we done that!
Written 2 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mjh123
West Midlands, UK164 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Parked at Laragh Lodge (free) and had lunch. Walking trails accessible from lodge. We decided to do scenic trail. Start was quite steep climb and then more managable incline to top of ridge. Although quite hard work (for non-hiker), views were amazing. Virtually no-one else around and so it was extremely quiet and peaceful.
It was a circular walk that goes past the visitor centre/ cafe/ toilets, and last section is mainly downhill past the various waterfalls. Cafe was closed when we passed by (at 4:30pm) but toilets were open.
Signage could be better, but was sufficient for us and we did not get lost.
It took us 2.5hrs in total from leaving after lunch to getting back to Laragh Lodge. Although this included several stops for a rest and to take some pictures.
Overall it was a really nice walk.
It was a circular walk that goes past the visitor centre/ cafe/ toilets, and last section is mainly downhill past the various waterfalls. Cafe was closed when we passed by (at 4:30pm) but toilets were open.
Signage could be better, but was sufficient for us and we did not get lost.
It took us 2.5hrs in total from leaving after lunch to getting back to Laragh Lodge. Although this included several stops for a rest and to take some pictures.
Overall it was a really nice walk.
Written 12 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jackson34
sheffield12 contributions
Aug 2020
Such a beautiful place and well worth taking time to travel to. We did the waterfall walk at 3km. It is a very steep descent and ascent but so worth it for the spectacular views and tranquility when down by the valley floor. The recent rains made the waterfalls all the more spectacular! Parking was free and there are toilets and a small cafe on site. We stopped in for a cuppa and a cake and found it clean and well laid out for social distancing.
Written 30 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long does it take to explore park?
Written 15 December 2021
Are there trails that can be done with a buggy?
Written 28 September 2020
Are we allowed to bring a disposable BBQ into the park
Written 14 April 2019
In March we plan to have a day to spend in Northern Ireland for the main sites. I’m hoping to fit this in. How long would this hike take, to capture some of the beauty. Could it be all done within an hour?
Written 31 January 2019
There are different trail lengths. An hour and a half would be best for the short trail to in this glen to enjoy and photograph the waterfalls.
Written 31 January 2019
Is the forest trials open to walk this time of the year ?
Written 18 January 2019
Yes dogs are allowed but I will mention that one way for the waterfall trail (The one closer to the car park) involves alot of steps and some tight paths, so possibly take the other trail down to it on the far side where the cafe is. The other trails should be fine.
Written 14 August 2017
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