Colin Glen

What You'll Find

Colin Glen is a brilliant spot for a family day out in Belfast, with beautiful woodland walks, the famous Gruffalo Trail and some fantastic adventure activities for older children!

Set within 200 acres of woodland along the Colin River, there's so much to explore, whether you fancy a gentle family walk or something a little more adventurous.

One of the biggest highlights for younger children is the Gruffalo Trail, and it's definitely one to add to your list if your wee ones love the books!

Follow the woodland paths and look out for the familiar characters from The Gruffalo and Stick Man stories along the way. The kids will love spotting the sculptures hidden among the trees, and of course, finding the Gruffalo himself!

The woodland is beautiful too, with riverside paths, little waterfalls and plenty of wildlife to look out for. There are several walking routes to choose from, including shorter trails that are lovely for younger children.

And if you've got older children who love a bit of excitement, Colin Glen has some brilliant adventure activities!

There's SKYTrek, a high ropes course where you can climb and tackle obstacles among the trees, along with activities such as archery and laser tag.

Over at the Mountain Entrance, you'll find the Black Bull Run, Ireland's first Alpine Coaster! This is a brilliant one for thrill-seekers, with twists, turns and tunnels as you travel through the forest.

There's also the Forest Flyover Zipline, where adventurous visitors can fly above the woodland with fantastic views across the Belfast Hills.

These adventure activities are charged separately and have their own age, height and booking requirements, so it's worth checking which ones suit your children before visiting.

And there's a coffee stop too!

Mona's Café is located at the River Entrance, making it a handy place to grab a coffee or something to eat after exploring the Gruffalo Trail.

Whether you're planning a free woodland walk with the wee ones or booking a bigger adventure with older children, Colin Glen has plenty to keep the whole family entertained!

Wee Ones Will Love...

• ✓Following the Gruffalo and Stick Man Trail and spotting the characters along the way
• ✓Finding the Gruffalo hidden among the trees
• ✓Exploring the woodland paths, riverside trails and little waterfalls
• ✓Trying SKYTrek, archery or laser tag when old enough
• ✓Riding the Black Bull Run Alpine Coaster or trying a zipline if they meet the activity requirements

Before You Visit

Colin Glen has different entrances, so make sure you're heading to the right one for your planned activities.

The River Entrance on Stewartstown Road is where you'll find the Gruffalo Trail, woodland walks, SKYTrek and Mona's Café.

The Mountain Entrance on Colin Glen Road is where you'll find the Alpine Coaster and ziplines.

The adventure activities require separate tickets, and age, height and supervision rules vary, so check these before promising the kids a go!

There are different woodland walking routes, including a riverside route suitable for prams and wheelchairs. Some of the other trails have steps or uneven sections.

If you're planning a longer walk, bring drinks, snacks and suitable shoes, especially after wet weather.

⭐ Wee Adventurers Top Tips

• ⭐If your wee ones love The Gruffalo, don't miss the woodland story trail! See how many characters they can find along the way.
• ⭐Start at the River Entrance if you're visiting with younger children. It's the best place for the Gruffalo Trail and woodland walks.
• ⭐Fancy something more adventurous? Check the Black Bull Run Alpine Coaster and SKYTrek activities before visiting. They're a brilliant extra for families with older children.
• ⭐Don't forget there are different entrances for the woodland trails and the Alpine Coaster, so double-check where you need to go before setting off.
• ⭐Finish your woodland walk with a coffee or little treat at Mona's Café if it's open!