Carnmoney Hill Local Nature Reserve
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Newtownabbey
What it’s like
Free trails up a proper hill, from an easy loop to a steep climb, plus an orienteering course to try.
There's a hill here, and the trails make no secret of it: some are gentle strolls through the woodland, others are steep enough to have you and the kids properly puffing. The reserve mixes ancient woodland with open grassland and wetland, so the wildlife spotting changes as you move through it, and the higher paths are where the effort pays off.
If your kids like a challenge with a bit of structure, the orienteering trail is the thing to do here rather than just wander. It gives younger walkers a reason to keep going when the legs start complaining, and turns a plain walk into something with a point to it.
It's free to get in and there's a lay-by at the entrance for parking, also free, so this is an easy one to just turn up to without booking anything. The only real catch is the toilets: they're only open when the community centre is, so don't leave that until the last minute if you've got a small one with you.
Steep bits aside, this suits a family who's happy to let a walk take an hour or two rather than twenty minutes round a flat park. Pick the easier loop for tired legs or toddlers in a carrier, and save the climb for when everyone's fresh.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Good for families who like a proper walk over a flat stroll
- Parking
- Free parking in lay-by at entrance
- Toilets depend on the community centre being open, so time your visit around that
- The lay-by parking at the entrance is free
- Mix of gentle and steep trails, so choose your route based on who's walking
- Bring a map or download the orienteering route before you set off
Plan your visit
Is it free?
Yes, entry's free and so is the parking in the lay-by at the entrance.
Do we need to book?
There's no booking link, so you can just turn up.
Are the trails okay for little legs?
There's a mix, some gentle and some steep climbs, so pick the easier loop if you've got tired legs or a toddler with you.
Are there toilets?
There are toilets on site, including an accessible one, but they're only open when the community centre is open.
What is there to actually do?
Walking trails of varying difficulty, wildlife spotting across woodland, grassland and wetland, and an orienteering trail to follow.
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