Cairn Wood

Grade: Moderate, with a steady climb

We're going on a wander round Cairn Wood in Co Down, once part of the historic Clandeboye estate which used to belong to Con O'Neill - of the flight of the Earls fame.

It's a lovely old semi-natural mostly native woodland and scrub about 3 miles south-east of Holywood.

Rising to an altitude of 200m the woodland is important locally not only for its conservation value but also as a landscape feature in North Down.

The tree cover in the reserve is mainly beech, some oak, alder, birch rowan and holly many of which are of scrub character. A few conifers occur, mostly Scots pine. Open areas are predominantly grass/rush with bramble and there's heathland at the highest elevations.

There is a wide range of small song birds and many of the more common raptors frequent the area. Red squirrels are resident in the forest and may be seen in the wooded areas, especially near the hill fort.

There should be a coffee van in the car park, which does coffee and traybakes. Or we can go to Holywood for a coffee after the walk.

Proper walking/sturdy boots/shoes only please

Walk costs £1 for paid up members and £6 for non-members and guests.

Directions:
From Holywood: Take Church Road to its junction with B170. Turn left onto the Ballymiscaw Road. At the end of the road turn right onto Whinney Hill. At the next junction turn left onto Craigantlet Road for approximately 0.75 mile to the forest car park.

As always post up if you need a lift and where you're coming from and hopefully someone can oblige. Please give the drivers something towards the fuel and drivers please take it, to keep things fair for all.

Can't make it - that's not a problem, just update your RSVP, so we know you're not coming and aren't waiting on you.

My number is 07583 042962 if you are lost or late