Forest · County Donegal

Ards Forest Park

Forest park · 477 ha9 trailsParking

Ards Forest Park is one of Coillte's forest parks, covering about 477 hectares. It has 9 marked trails and 1 car park nearby.

Trails in the forest

Trail	Activity	Length
Red Walk	Walking	14.2 km
Heritage Trail	Walking	5.2 km
Binngorm Trail	Walking	3.9 km
Green Walk	Walking	2.9 km
Yellow Walk	Walking	2.5 km
Nature Trail	Walking	1.4 km
Marine Trail	Walking	1.3 km
Sand Dune Trail	Walking	0.9 km
Salt Marsh Trail	Walking	0.6 km

Directions to the nearest car park

Outdoors in County Donegal this week

Best day outdoors: Sun, 1 Nov — dry by day, light winds, up to 11°C

Thu, 29 Oct14° / 11°Scattered cloudsGreat day outdoors
Fri, 30 Oct15° / 11°Medium rain showersGood day outdoors
Sat, 31 Oct13° / 5°DrizzleGood day outdoors
Sun, 1 Nov11° / 5°Sun with grey cloudGreat day outdoors

Forecast: Met Éireann · outdoor rating by Winsome Planet

Make a day of it

The nearest trails, beaches, woods and heritage within 25 km.

Trails & walks

Trail · 100 m awayArds Forest Park - Sand Dune trail0.9 km1 hr 30 minEasyLinearOn forest track, path and boardwalk, this trail follows the coastline and passes through a small wood of conifer and broadleaf trees onto a sand dune complex with views over Clonmass Bay and the Back Strand. These trees…

Trail · 100 m awayArds Forest Park - Binngorm trail3.9 km2 hrChallengingLoopOn forest road and path, this trail skirts around the wooded Ards Hill and runs out along the edge of Binngorm Point, giving great views onto Sheep Haven Bay. You can stroll on several sandy beaches, and keep a look out…

Beaches & bathing waters

Beach · 2.1 km awayCnoc an MharmairMarble HillWater quality: Excellent (2025)Blue FlagLifeguards in seasonToiletsMarble Hill beach consists of a sandy beach with two rock outcrops at the east of the beach. These are exposed at times during the tidal phase during the day. Marble Hill beach consists of sand dunes which support a…

Beach · 3.5 km awayPort na BláichePortnablaghWater quality: Good (2025)ParkingWheelchair accessDogs on a leadPortnablagh beach consists of a small sandy beach; confined by Portnablagh pier to the North and a small headland to the South. Portnablagh beach supports a variety of wildlife including birds and shellfish. The site is…

Forests & woodlands

Forest · 17 km awayBaile Uí ChiaráinBallykeeran1 trailParking

Forest · 20 km awayDrummonaghanParking

Parks, gardens & islands

Nature spot · 7.1 km awayIsland Roy - Oileán RuaidhIslandOileán Ruaidh or Island Roy is a truly magical retreat from the rush of the rest of the world. This tiny 65 hectare island, off the coast of Donegal, is so little known and secluded that it doesn't always feature on maps.

Nature spot · 8.2 km awayRos Goill (Rossguill Peninsula)BeachSet between the headlands of Melmore Head and Horn Head, this point on the Rosguill Peninsula in northeast Donegal offers dramatic open views over the Atlantic coastline.