Stormont Woodland Walks & Fitness Trail
A walk through attractive woodland and parkland with many interesting features including Parliament Buildings. Only five miles out of the city, Stormont Woodland Walk and Fitness Trail, is a great place to walk, run and relax.
County Down
Distance 2.5 miles
OS Map Sheet 15 + Belfast Street Finder
Terrain Surfaced and unsurfaced paths
Nearest Town Dundonald, Belfast
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference J39983 74027
Route Type Parkland & Grassland
This route follows the waymarked “Long Woodland Walk” through the grounds of the estate. Follow the orange coloured arrows around the grounds.
Follow the gravel path from the car park past the playground, keeping left. Cross the Prince of Wales Avenue and continue through the woodland, skirting the Stormont Estate boundary.
Turn left up the hill, then left again and cross the bridge. Follow the path until it reaches open parkland. Go round the base of the bank and cross Massey Avenue. At the Gleaner sculpture turn right and follow this path up through the glen. Before turning right to return down the glen, you may wish to make a short diversion to the top to admire the views down into the steep ravine.
Follow the path round to the Reconciliation sculpture then across the grass to Massey Avenue. After pausing to admire the Carson statue and Parliament Buildings walk about half way down the Prince of Wales Avenue before turning left. Follow the path around the wildlife refuge and sports pitches back to the car park.
A shorter 2km option is also available as well as a 1.6km fitness trail with outdoor gym equipment at various parts of the trail.
Around the estate, you will also find beautiful formal gardens, the historic Parliament Buildings, statues, memorials and some interesting WW2 sites, including the original barrage balloon anchors that held the balloons protecting the government buildings from bombings during the war.
Bench seating, picnic tables and facilities for barbeques are dotted throughout the walks, so you will always have somewhere to relax and enjoy the views.
Parliament Buildings, Prince of Wales Avenue
The Stormont Estate is in the east of Belfast, on the Upper Newtownards Road (A20). When travelling along the Upper Newtownards Road, the large entrance to the estate is visible on the left, about five miles from the city centre. A second entrance for the public on foot is available at Massey Avenue, Belfast BT4.
Parking is available in front of the main gates on the Upper Newtownards Road and at the Massey Avenue entrance.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Toilets on site, refreshments available locally
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Walk Route
Stormont Woodland Walks & Fitness Trail
I walk Stormont grounds at least three times a week and never get bored. The trees, squirrels and magpies are fantastic. The water lying under the trees at this time of year looks so beautiful and the kids love the play park. Excellent sleighing when snow comes. Seat at gates would be nice if you are waiting for fellow walker.