Green and varied land

Lagan Meadows & Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast

In the heart of Belfast, a city associated with bullets and bombs, lies a green
gem, a nature reserve straddling the river Lagan. On one side of the river is Lagan
Meadows and on the other lies Belvoir Forest which together cover an area of 300
acres. There are many trails through this terrain, paved and unpaved, flat and sloping,
some steeply, so it is possible to choose walks of varied lengths and difficulty and to
suit all ages and abilities. The walk described here takes in both sides of this verdant
landscape and, at a moderate pace, lasts approximately an hour and a half. In a short
distance it takes in pond and river, open meadows, woodland and forest. Start at the
entrance to Lagan Meadows at the wooden gate at Knightsbridge Park, follow the
path to the right then, when it forks, turn left. This takes you past Lesters dam and
pond, an old reservoir which once served the city. The path is bordered by gorse
bushes, known here as the whin, magnificent when in flower, which Michael Longley,
the local poet, refers to as gorse fires. The path leads down to the river where there is
a surfaced towpath, along which horses once pulled barges, today frequented by
joggers, cyclists and walkers, young and old. On the river live ducks, coots, moorhen
and swans. Turn right along the river and, shortly afterwards, cross a wooden bridge
to your left over the canal, which was cut to provide a shortcut for the horses. Walk
along the grass path that follows the curve of the river, past a boggy meadow on
which cattle sometimes graze. At the end of the path go across another wooden
bridge which takes you into Belvoir Forest. Follow the path, walking now on the
Belvoir Forest side of the river, past a large grass meadow known as wildflower
meadow. The path veers left then climbs sharply into the forest of mature pine, beech
and oak trees. On the right, through the tree trunks, the river can be glimpsed glinting
below. The whole reserve is a haven for birds wood pigeons, blackbirds, robins,
wrens, song-thrushes and the trees are loud with birdsong in spring and summer. Keep
going to the right along the path which descends and rejoins the river. Here an old
lock-keepers cottage has been restored, there is a cafe and work is underway to
rebuild the lock. Turn right and cross a red metal bridge which brings you back to the
towpath. After a few hundred yards, on the left, two sets of steep steps lead back into
Lagan Meadows. At the top of the climb an open field provides views over the city

and of the giant cranes, known locally as Samson and Goliath, of the old H&W
shipyard, where the ill-fated Titanic was built. The path, now undulating, becomes
more of a gentle climb and leads one back to the gate at Knightsbridge Park, the start
of the walk.
Vidya Borooah