This trail starts in the car park and is an ideal outing for all the family. It’s a short walk through Norway Spruce and Oak. Towards the end of this trail, one comes to a striking piece of sculpture called the “BLACK STACK”  which symbolises a petrified tree trunk from an ancient Carboniferous forest.      This walk follows paths through the trees parallel to the main road, crossing it twice. Mature oak trees here were planted nearly 200 years ago and the Millennium Forest area here had 40,000 oak saplings planted in 2000. Care is needed crossing the road.

This is a loop walk and can be walked in either direction

Ballygannon Woods offers 2 marked walks:  the Red Walk and the Green Walk

Grade:  Moderate

Marking: The route is marked with Green arrows – Loop Trail
Distance:  1km
Estimated time: 30 mins
Total height climbed: 25m
Highest point: 120m
Terrain underfoot: Forest trail
Suitable for: Families etc

Notes: This route involves the crossing of a busy road in two places

How to get to start point: Ballygannon Forest Carpark, Rathdrum

• GPS FOR START POINT: 52.944216,-6.23849
• GRID REF: T 184 895
  • Rathdrum is the nearest village and is 2km away, it’s served by:
  • Bus:  Bus Eireann: www.buseireann.ie
  • Train: Irish Rail: www.irishrail.ie