Located at the foot of the majestic Mourne Mountains, Tollymore is the oldest Forest Park in Ireland and Britain. From the car park, follow the River Trail red waymarker arrows. Having descended the Azalea Walk to the Shimna River, the trail turns upstream along the attractive tree lined river bank past the Hermitage to cross the river at Parnell’s bridge. An optional spur leads to the spectacular 10 metre high cascades. The trail proceeds through conifer plantations, past the duck pond and crosses the Shimna River over the Old Bridge, returning you to the car park via the Green Rig. A short drive north is Castlewellan Forest Park with three waymarked trails, the longest of which is the 5.6 mile (7.6km) Slievenaslat Trail. From the car park, follow the black waymarkers entering the mainly coniferous plantation where the remnants of the Moorish Tower can be seen. The paths are good, sometimes steep, with openings in the forest for impressive vistas of farmland on and around Slievenaboley, Legananny Mountains and Slieve Croob. These walks are situated in a working forest environment and may be subject to diversion and closure from time to time. Up to date information is available on the Forest Service web site www.forestserviceni.gov.uk