Castlewellan Forest Park has ‘wow’ factor for treetop walk

Castlewellan Forest Park has ‘wow’ factor for treetop walk

12 November 2025

IF planning approval is granted for a proposed treetop walk in Castlewellan, it will only be the fourteenth of its kind in Europe.

The proposed investment — which could cost as much as £10m — will result in a world leading tourism facility in the heart of the town’s majestic forest park.

Estimated to attract 200,000 visitors annually, the exciting tourism project features a stunning viewing platform 40 metres from the forest floor where there will be stunning views of the Mournes, Lough Island Reavey, Dundrum Bay and Belfast.

The facility, named Treetop Walk Mourne, will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and could open in the spring of 2027.

Located behind the park’s Peace Maze, the entrance would be adjacent to the main car park where a welcome building featuring a cafe, rooftop terrance and toilets would be located.

Final designs have yet to be completed until the formal planning application is lodged and the feedback from last week’s public consultation event is examined in detail.

A second public information event is being planned for the New Year.

Eak Ireland, which is developing the project as part of a public private partnership, hopes to be in a position to lodge the planning application at the end of January or early February, with an ambitious timescale of opening the flagship tourism project in the spring of the following year.

Adrian McGreevy, regional manager for EAK Treetop Walks, said the company builds these facilities internationally and delivered the hugely successful one in Avondale in Co Wicklow, which a number of Newry, Mourne and Down councillors have visited.

He said the Forest Service is also supporting the project and explained treetop walks are fully accessible, sustainable and appealing to all the family who can enjoy the experience together.

Mr McGreevy said the “stunning” forest park has all the key ingredients to ensue the walk will be successful, pointing to its beautiful, natural environment.

“The forest park has the wow factor and when we looked at aerial footage recorded by a drone camera we were blown away,” he said.

“You have mountains, the sea, a lake, historic castle. It’s just amazing and you can see for miles.”

Mr McGreevy said the forest walk and viewing tower offers a full family experience.

“You are at one with nature and amongst the trees and there are little adventure stations as you move along that keeps children engaged. There are also information points and signs so visitors can learn something about the local area, its sustainability, flora and fauna,” he continued.

“The walk is also educational and you leave with having learnt a few things as well as having a bit of fun too.”

He said EAK held conversations with a number of councils across the province and that Castlewellan reminded him a lot about the Avondale facility.

“We have met various organisations and councils across the island of Ireland and around six in the North, from Derry to Belfast to the North and East coast.”

He said Newry, Mourne and Down Council “loved the project and were blown away by it”.

He continued: “We visited different parks and we came to Castlewellan. My family is from Kilcoo so know the area very well. 

“When we came, you don’t actually realise the size and scale of the park. Many people walk round the lake and do the maze, but there is so much more including the Walled Gardens, the walks and the mountain bike trails.

“When we experienced what the park has to offer and we put the drone up and I was blown away by the 360 degree views. It’s just amazing”.

Mr McGreevy said the local council was enthusiastic and agreed to work with EAK “to ensure we can get this over the line”.

Explaining the investment could be between £7m and £10m, he said once the feedback from last week’s public information event is collated, work will focus on submitting the formal planning application, suggesting it could be late January or early February.

“We don’t want to apply for planning and then have to resubmit lots of documents. We want to have all our ducks in a row so we can get a decision as soon as possible. Our opening timescale is spring 2027 and while that’s ambitious it’s what we are aiming for.

“The new facility will create jobs when it opens and during the construction process.  There will be an economic benefit for Castlewellan.”