Days Out NI
Forest & Country Park Rostrevor, Co. Down

Kilbroney Park

A forest park above Rostrevor with the Cloughmore Stone, red squirrels and sweeping views over Carlingford Lough to the Cooley Mountains.

4 photos
Open dailyPark open year round
Free to enterParking may be charged
RostrevorCounty Down
Get directions
Half dayHow long
All agesPlaypark on site
OutdoorsForest & lough views
ParkingCharge may apply
Free to enterOn foot

A forest and country park at the foot of Slieve Martin above Rostrevor — the Cloughmore Stone, red squirrels in the oakwood, mountain-bike trails and huge views over Carlingford Lough to the Cooley Mountains.

  • What you'll see and do — the Cloughmore Stone ("the Big Stone"), a giant granite boulder on the hillside; the forest drive up to a viewpoint over the lough; red squirrels in the oakwood nature reserve; the Rostrevor mountain-bike trails; walking trails, a playpark and a café.
  • The views — from up the hill you look right out over Carlingford Lough to the Cooley Mountains in the Republic — one of the finest views in the Mournes.
  • How long — allow a good half day: the playpark, a forest walk and the drive up to the viewpoint fill it easily; longer if you're biking or climbing to the Big Stone.
  • Getting in — the park is free to enter; there may be a parking charge or a toll on the forest drive — check current rates on the day. No booking for a normal visit.
  • Bring & food — comfy shoes or boots (the hill trails are steep and can be muddy); there's a café on site, but it and other facilities can be seasonal, so bring a picnic to be sure.
  • Dogs & parking — dogs welcome on leads; parking on site.
  • Some trails are steep and long. Reaching the Cloughmore Stone is a proper uphill climb — or drive the forest road most of the way and finish on a short walk.
  • Café and facilities can be seasonal. Opening depends on the time of year, so pack food and check ahead if you're relying on a hot drink.
Plan your visit

Can I just turn up? Yes — the park is free to enter.

Kilbroney is a council forest and country park, open to the public and free to walk into. There may be a parking charge, or a toll to drive the forest road up towards the viewpoint — rates change, so confirm on the day. The park itself is open year round; the café and some facilities run seasonally, with longer hours in summer. There's no booking for a normal visit — you just arrive and head for the trails.

Café on site (seasonal) Toilets Playpark & walking trails Picnic spots Dogs on leads
Two to remember:

The Cloughmore Stone sits high on the hillside — it's a steep climb on foot, or you can take the forest drive most of the way and walk the last stretch. And the café and facilities can be seasonal, so pack a picnic and check ahead if the weather's cold.

Before you set off

What to wear & bring

  • 🥾Comfy shoes or bootsThe forest floor and playpark are easy going, but the hill trails up to the Big Stone are steep and can be muddy after rain.
  • 🧥A coat, whatever the sky's doingYou're up above the lough here, so it can be breezy and quick to change — a light coat means the weather is never a reason to stay in.
  • 🧺A picnicThere are grassy spots and benches by the play area; the café is handy but seasonal, so a picnic keeps everyone fed.
  • 🚲Bikes, if you fancy the trailsRostrevor's mountain-bike trails start from the park — bring your own bike and helmet if you're planning to ride.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
The park is free to enter on foot. There may be a parking charge, or a toll to drive the forest road up towards the viewpoint — confirm current rates on the day.
Hours
The park is open daily, year round. The café and some facilities run seasonally, with longer hours in summer. Best to check current times before you set off.
What you'll see
The Cloughmore Stone (the "Big Stone"), the forest drive and viewpoint over Carlingford Lough, red squirrels in the oakwood nature reserve, the Rostrevor mountain-bike trails, walking trails, a playpark and a café.
The Big Stone
The Cloughmore Stone is a giant granite boulder high on the slopes of Slieve Martin. Reaching it on foot is a proper uphill climb; the forest drive takes you most of the way, then it's a short walk.
Red squirrels
The oakwood is a nature reserve and home to red squirrels — early morning and quiet spells give you the best chance of spotting one. Sightings are never guaranteed.
Biking
The Rostrevor mountain-bike trails run from the park, with routes graded for different abilities — bring your own bike and helmet.
Food
There's a café on site, though it can be seasonal — bring a picnic to be sure, and check ahead if you're relying on it.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome on leads around the park.
Camping
Kilbroney also has a caravan and camping site if you want to stay over — book ahead in season.
How long
Allow a good half day — the playpark, a forest walk and the drive up to the viewpoint fill it easily, longer if you're biking or climbing to the Big Stone.
Questions

Before you go

Is there a charge?
The park is free to enter on foot. There may be a parking charge, or a toll to drive the forest road up towards the viewpoint — confirm current rates on the day.
How do I get to the Cloughmore Stone?
The Big Stone sits high on the hillside above Rostrevor. On foot it's a steep uphill climb through the forest; if you'd rather take it easy, drive the forest road most of the way and finish on a short walk. Legend says the giant Finn McCool threw the boulder there — a good story to tell on the way up.
Will we see red squirrels?
The oakwood is a nature reserve and home to red squirrels, so you've a genuine chance — but they're wild, so sightings are never guaranteed. Early morning and quiet spells are your best bet.
Is there mountain biking?
Yes — the Rostrevor mountain-bike trails start from the park, graded for different abilities. Bring your own bike and helmet.
Is there food on site?
There's a café at the park, but it can be seasonal, so it's worth checking ahead. Otherwise bring a picnic — there are grassy spots and benches by the play area.
Can I bring the dog?
Yes — dogs are welcome on leads around the park.
Getting there

Kilbroney Park, Shore Road, Rostrevor, County Down, BT34 3AA — just outside Rostrevor village at the foot of Slieve Martin, above the shore of Carlingford Lough. Parking on site.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

Rostrevor villageOn the doorstep WarrenpointSeaside town · 3 miles Carlingford LoughThe shore below the park Mourne MountainsAll around · walking & hikes
The story

A giant's boulder above the lough

Kilbroney sits on the wooded slopes of Slieve Martin, looking out over Carlingford Lough to the Cooley Mountains across the water in the Republic. The old estate was laid out around the river and the oakwood, and it's now a council forest and country park — a place people come for the walks, the playpark, the red squirrels and the enormous view.

The park's most famous feature is the Cloughmore Stone, a huge granite boulder perched high on the hillside. Legend has it the giant Finn McCool hurled the stone from across the lough at a rival giant — a tale told to generations of children on the climb up, though geologists put it down to the last Ice Age. The pull of the place runs deep: Rostrevor and the surrounding Mournes are often said to have helped inspire the landscapes of C.S. Lewis's Narnia, the author having spent childhood holidays in the area.

Today the whole park is looked after by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. The oakwood is a nature reserve, the mountain above carries some of the best mountain-bike trails in the country, and the forest drive and viewpoint give everyone else the same view without the climb — so the lough, the woods and that big stone belong to anyone who comes to walk them.