Orienteering and eco trails in forests
Orienteering courses are available in some forests throughout Northern Ireland. Eco trails are linked to the sport of orienteering and aimed at young people.
Orienteering locations
The forests listed below are normally available for orienteering. Those marked (P) have a permanent course available.
You can get more details, including maps, from the Northern Ireland Orienteering website.
Organising orienteering events
All organised events must be approved before the date they are planned for by applying to the forest recreation manager at Enniskillen Forest office (for events in the western part of Northern Ireland).
Eastern
- Ballysallagh Forest (P)
- Belvoir Park Forest
- Castlewellan Forest Park (P)
- Downhill Forest
- Gortnamoyagh Forest
- Gosford Forest Park (P)
- Rostrevor Forest (P)
- Somerset Forest
- Springwell Forest
Western
- Banagher Forest
- Drum Manor Forest Park (P)
- Florence Court Forest Park
- Gortin Glen Forest Park (P)
- Necarne Forest (P)
- Learmount Forest
- Moydamlaght Forest
Eco trails
Eco trails give people an opportunity to develop a knowledge and understanding of, and responsibility to, the local natural and built environment by using the 'outdoor classroom' of the countryside.
Eco trails available in public forests include both environmental trails and paths.
Environmental trails
Environmental trails offer an opportunity to learn more about the cultural history and environmental features of forests.
Paths
Paths are an excellent introduction to orienteering. All trails have been purposely designed to allow participants with limited map-reading skills to follow maintained paths between control sites.
The guides and activity booklets for Parkanaur Forest and Gosford Forest Park are available on the following pages: