Days Out NI
Greenway & cycle trail Belfast

Forth Meadow Community Greenway

A free 12km tarmac greenway linking north and west Belfast's parks to the city centre

5 photos
Open accessRide it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
BelfastGreenway & cycle trail
Get directionsOfficial website
12kmDistance
1 hourHow long
FreeCost
TarmacSurface
Buggy okBest for

Forth Meadow Community Greenway — A free 12km tarmac greenway linking north and west Belfast's parks to the city centre.

  • Distance: 12km end to end (dip in for shorter park-to-park sections).
  • Surface: New tarmac through the linked parks and nature reserve.
  • Gradient: Mostly flat to gently graded as it drops from the hills towards the city centre.
  • Traffic-free: Traffic-free through the parks and Bog Meadows; some road crossings and short on-road links between sections, with the lower end near the Westlink.
  • Bike hire: None on the route — bring your own.
  • Buggy / scooter: Yes on the tarmac park sections; watch the road-crossing points.
Plan your visit

A smooth 12km chain of parks, top to town

The route covers 12km on new tarmac, running from Clarendon Playing Fields and Glencairn Park in the north and west, down to Belfast Grand Central Station in the city centre. It is built as five linked sections: Glencairn Park to Forthriver Linear Park, Ballygomartin Road to Springfield Road via the new Springvale Park, Springfield Park to Falls Park, the Bog Meadows Nature Reserve, and the final stretch from the Westlink in to the city centre. Through the parks and the nature reserve the path is traffic-free, lit and gently graded, with the Forth River, the restored Springfield Dam and the Bog Meadows wetland to look at along the way. Because it joins existing green spaces, expect a few road crossings and short on-road links between sections, and the run into town passes close to the Westlink, so keep younger riders close at those points. There is public art too, including the Carry Each Other sculpture on Springfield Road.

Free 12km Tarmac Mostly flat Traffic-free in the parks Buggy-friendly
Good to know before you go:

Greenways across NI host seasonal sportives, family cycle days and ranger-led events, and the Forth Meadow route has its own community walk and cycle programme — check listings for dates.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🚲Bikes (or hire on the day)Check whether you bring your own or can hire at the start.
  • 🪖Helmets for everyoneEspecially the kids — a comfy helmet makes the whole spin better.
  • 💧Water and snacksNot every route has a café on it, so pack a little something.
  • 🧥A light layerYou warm up cycling but cool down at stops — easy to peel on and off.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free
Start / parking
Clarendon Playing Fields and Glencairn Park (car park) in the north and west; Falls Park lower down; city-centre end at Belfast Grand Central Station
Distance
12km end to end (dip in for shorter park-to-park sections)
Surface
New tarmac through the linked parks and nature reserve
Gradient
Mostly flat to gently graded as it drops from the hills towards the city centre
Traffic-free?
Traffic-free through the parks and Bog Meadows; some road crossings and short on-road links between sections, with the lower end near the Westlink
Bike hire
None on the route — bring your own
Buggy / scooter friendly
Yes on the tarmac park sections; watch the road-crossing points
Toilets / food
At the parks and in the city centre rather than on the path — plan a stop
How long to allow
1 hour for a single park section; a half-day for the full 12km one-way with transport back
Address
Forth Meadow Community Greenway, north and west Belfast (Glencairn Park / Clarendon Playing Fields to Belfast Grand Central Station, Belfast)
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
How long is the route?
12km end to end (dip in for shorter park-to-park sections)
Is it traffic-free?
Traffic-free through the parks and Bog Meadows; some road crossings and short on-road links between sections, with the lower end near the Westlink
Can I hire a bike?
None on the route — bring your own
Is it buggy and scooter friendly?
Yes on the tarmac park sections; watch the road-crossing points
Getting there

Forth Meadow Community Greenway starts at Clarendon Playing Fields and Glencairn Park (car park) in the north and west; Falls Park lower down; city-centre end at Belfast Grand Central Station. Tap below for directions to the start.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around BelfastSee what else is close by More greenways & trails across NITraffic-free routes to walk and cycle
The story

About this trail

The Forth Meadow Community Greenway grew out of the EU PEACE IV programme, which funded shared spaces designed to connect neighbouring communities across north and west Belfast. The £6.2 million project linked a string of existing parks and green spaces — Clarendon Playing Fields, Glencairn Park, the Forthriver Linear Park, Springfield and Falls parks and the Bog Meadows Nature Reserve — into one continuous 12km walking and cycling route running down to the city centre.

The build added new tarmac paths and cycleways, lighting, seating, wayfinding and public art, and included a £1.2 million redevelopment of Springfield Dam. Funding came through the Special EU Programmes Body alongside the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for Communities, The Executive Office and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland. The route is managed by Belfast City Council and was completed in 2025, with its city-centre end now meeting Belfast Grand Central Station.