Tollymore Forest Park Shimna River Circuit

Tollymore Forest Park lies at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in County Down, and the Shimna River Circuit threads through 630 hectares of mixed woodland over handsome stone bridges and past small waterfalls. The route options range from 5 km riverside loops to longer 12.9 km circuits that climb into the lower Mourne slopes, making the park flexible enough for a quick outing or a half-day exploration. The variety is exceptional — ancient oak woodland gives way to towering conifers, open meadows break the tree cover, and the Shimna River runs through it all with rocky shallows, deeper pools and cascading drops. The park was used as a filming location for Game of Thrones, adding a layer of dramatic atmosphere to an already striking landscape.

This is a superb dog friendly walk with moderate off-lead potential and low livestock risk throughout. The shallow rocky sections of the Shimna are perfect for dogs to wade, splash and cool off, and the constantly changing scent landscape — from damp riverbank to dry oak woodland to open meadow — keeps dogs engaged across every section. The longer circuits that climb into the lower Mournes offer more freedom on open ground for dogs who need to run. The forest floor is rich with fungi, moss and leaf litter scent year-round, and the river provides reliable drinking water at numerous access points. The network of trails means you can vary the route each visit, and the 103-metre elevation gain on the main circuit keeps things accessible for dogs of all fitness levels.