Official tourism website for Northern Ireland
En

Ness, Ervey and Burntollet

88 Oughtagh Road, Killaloo, County Londonderry, BT47 3HD
Ness, Ervey and Burntollet

Book Tickets Online

About

Ness Country Park

This steep wooded glen is a remnant of extensive natural oakwoods and comprises 20 ha, with riverside/woodland paths including wooden steps & footbridges, habitat of many different species of wildlife and birdlife. The site is also an ASSI and is NIEA owned and managed. Recent development work in the park now means the walk extends along both sides of the Burntollet River joining Ness and Ervey Woods. It also includes an area of level meadow, providing easy-access walking for less able visitors. The Park has wildlife ponds, picnic tables, wildflower meadows and a new Visitor Centre where you can view an exhibition on woodland biodiversity.

Ervey Wood

A large section of the wood is also an ASSI extending for over 1km on the northern side of the flanks and floor of the Burntollet Glen, with the Burntollet River running adjacent to its southern boundary. A pleasant walk in all seasons with some steep inclines, although best in spring. It is also owned and managed by NIEA.

Recent development work in the park now means the the walk extends along both sides of the Burntollet River joining Ness and Ervey Woods

Burntollet Wood

Burntollet Wood sits adjacent to Ness Country Park. The wood is still in its infancy and is an Area of Special Scientific Interest containing fragments of rare ancient woodland. The Woodland Trust has planted over 43,000 native trees at Burntollet, mostly oak with scatterings of ash, alder and wild cherry. The young trees will buffer the nearby pockets of ancient woodland, slowly linking habitats together and providing an extended haunt for the Valley’s precious wildlife. In summertime, visitors will be treated to 11 hectares (27 acres) of gloriously coloured wild flowers. Vibrant displays of yellow rattle, birdsfoot trefoil, red campion, and ox-eye daisy await you. The flowers, interspersed with clover, barley and oats, provide a valuable habitat for numerous species of insects and birds.

Start Point:
C528118

Finish Point:
C528118

Route:
Follow the path from the car park at the visitors centre down to the right, past an area of recently created ponds and across Hone's Bridge. Follow the path along the north side of the Burntollet River ignoring the bridge to the right (this leads to a path that is currently closed due to subsidence), until you reach the second bridge. Cross the bridge and ascend the steps . The path will then lead you past Ness waterfall across Shanes Bridge. Continue on the path into the woodland, passing the viewing point for the waterfall. Follow this path downhill until you turn right onto a path leading uphill, this path leads above mature woodland and then reaches a turning point , taking a sharp left down a series of wooden steps towards the river turning right to rejoin the path to take you back to the visitors centre. Take the path to the left from the visitors centre, crossing the River Burntollet at Browns Bridge. Follow the path for 1.5 km, turning right at the junction. This route loops up to Ervey Wood car park.  Continue on through Ervey Wood car park to access Burntollet Wood. Follow the red waymarker arrows around Burntollet Wood, in a clockwise direction. You will pass by several viewpoints and information panels describing wildlife and wildflowers that can be found in the area. Pass through a kissing gate to bypass a private property, before re-entering the wood through another kissing gate. Continue to follow the path back to Ervey Wood Car Park. To follow the route back to the visitors centre, cross the small area of grassland to the right of the car park and enter the wood through the wooden gate. This path will lead back to the visitors centre.

Distance:
4 miles

Terrain:
Woodland / Riverside Paths / Wooden boardwalks/steps.

Point of interest:
Highest Waterfall in Northern Ireland, Red Squirrels

Facilities:
Visitor Centre, Toilets, Car park, Picnic Site. Please see link below to Ness Country Park for opening times.

Publication:
Ness Country Park Guide/Map

Publication availability:
Available at Visitor Centre

Nearest town:
Derry/Claudy/Eglinton

OS map:
Sheet 7

Accessible toilet facilities:
Yes

Accessible terrain:
Woodland and riverside paths, some sections of wooden steps with three pedestian footbridges crossing the Burntollet river , steep in places. Not suitable for wheelchairs or prams.

Accessible signage:
Interpretation Panels

Book Tickets

Facilities

Provider Preferences

  • Free (parking charges may apply)

Map & Directions

What's Nearby

  1. In the steep, wooded Glen of the Burntollet River, south-east of Derry/Londonderry, lies…

    0.11 miles away
  2. Set in the Burntollet Valley within Ness Country Park, this nature reserve provides the…

    0.75 miles away
  3. Located on the banks of the River Foyle along the south side of Ebrington Square, Mute…

    6.26 miles away
  4. Ebrington, a former military barracks just across the Peace Bridge, with a rich history,…

    6.26 miles away
  5. The Archive and Genealogy Service of Derry City Council has responsibility for the…

    6.35 miles away
  6. The Peace Bridge has become an integral part of the city’s infrastructure and is held in…

    6.41 miles away
  7. Get yourself down to Badger's Bar where you'll find the infamous Derry Girls mural, one…

    6.43 miles away
  8. Derry~Londonderry is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and is one of…

    6.45 miles away
  9. Fashioned in neo-gothic style, the Guildhall is one of the most striking buildings in the…

    6.52 miles away
  10. Dominating the skyline on all approaches to the city of Derry~Londonderry is Saint…

    6.52 miles away
  11. The Tower Museum houses two permanent exhibitions: The Story of Derry and An Armada…

    6.55 miles away
  12. The Verbal Arts Centre is an educational charity founded in 1992 and now located in the…

    6.58 miles away
  13. Void is a contemporary art gallery that commissions and produces a visual arts programme…

    6.6 miles away
  14. Explore the Blue Coat School Heritage Centre and discover the compelling, and often…

    6.6 miles away
  15. The new Siege Museum and Exhibition is a permanent display of the history of the Siege of…

    6.61 miles away
  16. A neo-Gothic church of 1872. built of whinstone with sandstone dressings. Iit is…

    6.62 miles away

Virtual Tour

Map & Directions

Road Directions

The walk starts 4.5 km NW of the village of Claudy and 13km SE of Derry City, well signposted from A6 via Oughtagh Rd.

Public Transport Directions

Translink - journeyplanner.translink.co.uk

Back to Top

Tourism Northern Ireland

Don't Miss