Gortin Forest Ladies View

About

This strenuous but rewarding trail provides an excellent walk for those who enjoy exercise. The route rises to its highest point at 350 metres to give a superb view of the surrounding countryside. A brass plate pointing out prominent landscape features has been provided. The path then leads back to the car park through diverse conifer woodlands.

Start Point:
H485822

Finish Point:
H485822

Route:
The Ladies View Trail is marked as the red route from the main car park of Gortin Forest Park. It is a 2.25 mile long route with some steep climbing and an uneven path that begins by following the Pollan Burn with its watery soundtrack uphill towards its source near the Mullaghcarn summit. Within ten minutes of the car park you reach a waterfall where you will be glad of an excuse to stop and take in the view before continuing uphill and criss-crossing the burn with wooden bridges and enjoying the views opening up across young woodland on your right. You cross over a forest road and then continue up through mature Sitka spruce trees to another welcome rest point with views back across the forest and the route just climbed. Only a little further uphill takes walkers to the forest drive and main viewpoint with expansive views across the forest and hills to the west. From here it's downhill all the way to the car park initially walking through a young woodland before meeting the Pollen Burn again at the waterfall where you can choose to retrace the first part of the walk or take to the forest road for the final section back to the car park. 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 - link below.

Distance:
2.25 miles

Terrain:
Forest tracks

Point of interest:
See the range and variety of the flora and fauna

Facilities:
Parking, picnic tables and toilets. There is a charge for entrance to the Forest Park.

Publication:
Gortin Forest Park leaflet

Publication availability:
For more information contact Forest Service on 028 8167 0668 or visit www.forestserviceni.gov.uk

Nearest town:
Omagh/Gortin

OS map:
Sheet 13

Accessible toilet facilities:
Yes

Accessible terrain:
Unsurfaced forest tracks