Belfast Hills
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Slievenacloy Sept24 compressed

Slievenacloy Nature Reserve

Slievenacloy Nature Reserve is a hidden retreat of species-rich grassland famous for its beautiful orchids in early summer.

Situated in the Belfast Hills, between Stoneyford and Divis Mountain, Slievenacloy Nature Reserve, owned and managed by Ulster Wildlife, is one of the best examples of a species-rich grassland in Northern Ireland.

Its name Sliabhna Cloiche means ‘townland of the stone’, most likely a sacred landscape during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages with eight prehistoric burial monument recorded. Towards the Stoneyford River is a mysterious earth ring.

The site contains the remains of an old farmhouse dating back to 1833.

To maintain Slievenacloy’s important habitats and special wildlife, the reserve is grazed with traditional livestock such as Irish moiled cattle from early summer to mid-winter.  Essential habitat management including rush cutting and scrub control is also carried out throughout the year.

Visitors are welcome to explore this special site on foot, all year round from dawn to dusk.  This vast wilderness of just over 600 acres is a mosaic of natural meadows, purple moorgrass and rush pasture.  At various points there are breath-taking views across Belfast and five of the six counties of Northern Ireland.  There are old farm tracks throughout the site and some waymarked trails.

Slievenacloy Nature Reserve Map
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Where to walk

Blue route (Approx 1 hour). This will lead you around some of the highest points on the nature reserve, offering stunning views over the Northern Ireland landscape. From either direction, follow the roads to one of the two viewpoints that show you the panorama. From either viewpoint, follow the fence line onto the health. This walk goes through some prime bird watching territory. First section, from farmhouse to viewpoint 1 is easy access (0.3 miles). The 2nd section (1.1 miles) is moderate as there is no obvious trail, although there are markers at various points along the walk.

  • M
    moderate
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Red route (Approx 2 hours). This leads you down the hill and across the Flowbog Road to discover one of Slievenacloy’s sites of archaeological interest- the earth ring. (Approximately 2 hours). This walk also takes you along the lower wildflower meadows and the stream of the Stoneyford Valley.

  • G
    gentle
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Yellow route (Approx 1 hour, 15 mins) This heads off into the east of the nature reserve, into rush pasture and through some great examples of species-rich grassland and landscape.

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The Belfast Hills Partnership actively promotes responsible countryside enjoyment. We hope all visitors to the Hills will take note of our Access Code and behavioural guidelines to ensure that the Hills remain a safe, welcoming and beautiful space for all to enjoy.

Download the Access Code
Access Code

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