A gentle riverside hour, or a half day with the climb and the caféHow long
Free on footEntry
All agesBest for
On leadsDogs
ChargedParking
Kilbroney Park — a forest and country park at the foot of the Mournes above Rostrevor, with the Cloughmore Stone, the Fairy Glen, red squirrels and a huge view over Carlingford Lough to the Cooley Mountains.
What you'll do: follow the Fairy Glen along the river, meet the Cloughmore Stone — a giant granite boulder high on Slieve Martin — walk the family Narnia Trail, watch for red squirrels and deer in the oakwood, ride the graded Rostrevor mountain-bike trails, or let the children loose in the play parks. There's a forest drive up towards the viewpoint too.
How long: an easy hour along the river and around the play park, or a good half day if you climb to the Big Stone, add the café and take your time.
Come ready: the Fairy Glen and Narnia Trail are gentle, but the climb to the Cloughmore Stone is a real, steep hike — a proper pull up the hillside on rooty, sometimes muddy ground. Walking shoes or boots, and the weather is part of the magic up here.
Cost & food:free to walk in on foot or by bike; there's a charge to park a car — check current rates on the day. The Forest and Field Café at the park is well regarded, and there are picnic spots and barbecue benches too.
When: open daily, seasonal hours — 9am to 9pm at the height of summer, easing to 9am–5pm in winter, closed Christmas Day. The café keeps its own hours, so check ahead if you're relying on it.
Plan your visit
What you'll actually do here
There are really two days out here, and you can do either or both. The gentle one starts down low: the Fairy Glen, where the Kilbroney river runs over little rapids through mossy, leafy woodland — a flat, easy riverside walk that small legs manage happily. Nearby, the half-mile Narnia Trail winds through the trees past carved sculptures and child-sized doorways, inspired by the C.S. Lewis connection, and there are two adventure play parks, tennis courts and picnic lawns. The bigger day out heads uphill to the Cloughmore Stone, a huge granite boulder perched about a thousand feet up on the slopes of Slieve Martin, with one of the finest views in the Mournes laid out below — right across Carlingford Lough to the Cooley Mountains in the Republic. That's a proper climb on foot; the two-mile forest drive takes cars part of the way up towards the viewpoint when it's open. On the mountain above, the graded Rostrevor mountain-bike trails — reckoned among the best in the country — pull riders from all over. And in the quiet oakwood, if you're lucky and early, you might spot a red squirrel.
The Fairy Glen riverside walk and the family Narnia TrailThe Cloughmore Stone and the view over Carlingford LoughTwo adventure play parks, tennis courts and picnic lawnsGraded Rostrevor mountain-bike trails on the mountainForest and Field Café, plus a caravan and camping siteRed squirrels and deer in the oakwood
Good to know before you go:
The climb to the Cloughmore Stone is steep and long — a real hillside hike, not a stroll — so pick the riverside and play park if you've little ones or tired legs, and save the Big Stone for a fresh day or the forest drive. Parking is charged even though the park itself is free to walk into, so bring a card or change.
Before you set off
What to bring
🥾Walking shoes or bootsThe riverside is easy going, but the pull up to the Big Stone is steep and can be muddy — grippy feet win the day.
🧥A coatYou're at the foot of the Mournes here; it can be breezy and quick to change, and a squall only makes the lough look wilder.
💧Water and a snackThere's a café, but it keeps its own hours — a bottle and a treat keep small explorers going up the hill.
🚲Bikes, if you fancy the trailsThe Rostrevor mountain-bike trails start from the park — bring your own bike and a helmet if you're riding.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Free to walk in on foot or by bike. There's a charge to park a car — confirm current rates on the day. No booking for a normal visit.
Opening / season
Open daily, closed Christmas Day. Hours are seasonal: roughly 9am–5pm November to February; 9am–6pm March and October; 9am–8pm April and September; and 9am–9pm May to August. The Forest and Field Café keeps its own hours — check ahead.
Best for ages
All ages. The Fairy Glen, Narnia Trail and play parks suit toddlers and younger children; the Cloughmore climb and the mountain-bike trails are for older, sturdier legs. Keep little ones close on the river paths and on the hill.
What you'll see
The Cloughmore Stone, the Fairy Glen river walk, the Narnia Trail, the forest drive and viewpoint over Carlingford Lough, red squirrels and deer in the oakwood, the Rostrevor mountain-bike trails, adventure play parks, tennis courts and picnic lawns.
The Big Stone
The Cloughmore Stone is a granite boulder of around 50 tonnes, sitting nearly 1,000 feet up on the slopes of Slieve Martin. Geologists reckon a glacier carried it there in the last Ice Age; the story goes that the giant Finn McCool hurled it across the lough. Reaching it on foot is a steep uphill climb; the forest drive takes you part of the way when it's open.
Red squirrels
The oakwood is home to red squirrels and deer — early morning and quiet spells give you the best chance. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Biking
The Rostrevor mountain-bike trails run from the park, graded for different abilities and including some serious descents. Bring your own bike and helmet.
Food
The Forest and Field Café is at the park and well regarded locally. It keeps seasonal hours, so bring a picnic to be sure — there are picnic lawns and designated barbecue benches too.
Toilets
Toilets at the visitor building near the main car park, with baby-changing and accessible facilities (and showers for campers).
Parking
Two car parks on site. A parking charge applies — bring a card or change and check current rates on arrival.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome and should be kept under control on the trails. Dogs are not allowed in the play park, and must be on a lead in the caravan park.
Accessibility
The riverside Fairy Glen walk and the low parkland are largely flat and manageable with a buggy; the visitor building has accessible toilets. The Cloughmore climb and the deeper forest trails are steep and unsuitable for prams or wheelchairs.
Staying over
Kilbroney has a caravan and camping site if you want to make a weekend of it — book ahead in season.
Address
Kilbroney Park, Shore Road, Rostrevor, Co. Down, BT34 3AA
Questions
Before you go
Is it free?
Free to walk in on foot or by bike. There's a charge to park a car, so bring a card or change and check current rates on the day.
How do I get to the Cloughmore Stone?
The Big Stone sits high on the slopes of Slieve Martin above Rostrevor. On foot it's a steep, rewarding climb through the forest to reach it; if you'd rather take it easy, the two-mile forest drive takes cars part of the way up towards the viewpoint when it's open. The story goes that the giant Finn McCool threw the boulder there — a good tale for the climb, though geologists put it down to a glacier.
Is there an easy walk for young children?
Yes — the Fairy Glen riverside walk is flat and gentle, and the half-mile Narnia Trail winds past carved sculptures and little doorways through the trees. Both suit small legs and buggies, with the play parks right there too.
Will we see red squirrels?
The oakwood is home to red squirrels and deer, so you've a genuine chance — but they're wild, so sightings are never guaranteed. Early morning and quiet spells are your best bet.
Is there mountain biking?
Yes — the Rostrevor mountain-bike trails start from the park, graded for different abilities and including some serious descents. Bring your own bike and helmet.
Is there food on site?
The Forest and Field Café at the park is well regarded, though it keeps its own seasonal hours — worth checking ahead. Otherwise bring a picnic; there are picnic lawns and barbecue benches.
Can I bring the dog?
Yes — dogs are welcome and kept under control on the trails. They're not allowed in the play park, and must be on a lead in the caravan park.
Getting there
Kilbroney Park, Shore Road, Rostrevor, Co. Down, BT34 3AA — just outside Rostrevor village at the foot of Slieve Martin, above the shore of Carlingford Lough. Parking on site (charged). Tap below for directions.
Kilbroney sits on the wooded slopes of Slieve Martin, at the very foot of the Mournes, looking out over Carlingford Lough to the Cooley Mountains across the water in the Republic. The old estate was laid out around the Kilbroney river and its oakwood, and it's now a council forest and country park — a place people come for the river walks, the play parks, the red squirrels and that enormous view.
The park's most famous feature is the Cloughmore Stone, a granite boulder of some fifty tonnes perched high on the hillside. Geologists reckon a glacier dropped it there as the ice retreated after the last Ice Age; the story goes that the giant Finn McCool hurled it from across the lough at a rival giant — a tale told to generations of children on the long climb up. The surrounding hills and woods are also said to have helped inspire the landscapes of C.S. Lewis's Narnia, the author having spent childhood holidays nearby — a connection the park now marks with its Narnia Trail through the trees.
Today the whole park is looked after by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. The oakwood shelters red squirrels and deer, the mountain above carries some of the best mountain-bike trails in the country, and the Fairy Glen, the forest drive and the viewpoint give everyone a share of the place — so the lough, the woods and that big stone belong to anyone who comes to walk them.