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Rath

Plan your visit

WildlifeHeritageBirds
Dogs welcome

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

  • ☀️June — long evenings and clear skies; one of the most rewarding months for a late visit
  • Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
  • 🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

  • 🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

5 activities

Wildlife

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals

Free

Heritage

Historic site

Free

Bird watching

Birds — Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Rook +11 more · last seen 2017; Birds — Jackdaw, Hooded Crow, Rook +11 more · last seen 2017

Free

Insect spotting

Insects — Stag Beetle, Painted Lady, Orange-tip +10 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Stag Beetle, Painted Lady, Orange-tip +10 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Plants — Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed, Cherry Laurel +4 more · last seen 2021; Plants — Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed, Cherry Laurel +4 more · last seen 2021

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km
🚶

Walking

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
Springhill Beech Walk, SpringhillWalking route400 m

Stroll on the 17th cent. path to the Springhill tower, through an avenue of beech trees replanted in 1984. Enjoy vivid greens in spring & rich reds in autumn. Take in views of the Sperrins & Slieve Gallion on a clear day. Grass & gravel. Gentle slope.

Named routeLength 400 mDuration 00:15Round tripLocal walking route
Woodland Walk, SpringhillWalking route600 m

A short walk through Springhill Estate taking in the mixed woodland and a wildflower meadow

Named routeLength 600 mDuration 00:30Point-to-pointLocal walking route
Sawpit Hill Walk, SpringhillWalking route1.6 km

This short walk around the perimeter path of Springhill Estate is marked by the great oaks, and offers views of Slieve Gallion and a ring of trees where the sawpit was once located. Steep slopes & some uneven terrain.

Named routeLength 1.6 kmDuration 00:30-00:45Round tripLocal walking route
🚴

Cycling

3 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby
EuroVelo 1 - Atlantic Coast Route - part Northern IrelandCycling route
Named routeRef EV1International cycle route
Sperrins Route 5 - Lough Fea Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeRef 5Round tripRegional cycle route
Sperrins Route 8 - Slieve Gallion Cycle RouteCycling route
Named routeRef 8Round tripRegional cycle route

Wildlife to spot

Photos

H8380 : Ballyforlea Picnic Area

H8380 : Ballyforlea Picnic Area

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