Carnfunnock Country Park Circular
County Antrim
Carnfunnock Country Park covers 191 hectares between Drains Bay and Ballygally on the Antrim Coast Road, three and a half miles north of Larne, and combines mixed woodland, open parkland and a stretch of coastline with views across the North Channel, plus enough quiet woodland for a dog to run off the lead. Way-marked walks loop through the park's varied grounds, taking in a walled garden with sundials and wooden sculptures, a wildlife garden and a distinctive hedge maze planted in 1986 in the shape of Northern Ireland, with a separate space for each county and Lough Neagh. The paths are gentle throughout, mixing woodland tracks with open coastal parkland, and the full circuit of the park's main trails covers around 4.5km with only modest climbing.
This dog friendly walk offers a good mix of woodland and coastal scenery, with moderate off-lead potential through the quieter wooded sections away from the maze, gardens and picnic areas. There is no livestock anywhere in the park, and the coastal views give plenty of interest even without direct beach access from most of the route. The woodland provides shade for warmer days, and the varied terrain of garden, forest and open coast gives a dog plenty of scent and space to explore. Carnfunnock has a cafe open at weekends year round, public toilets, picnic sites and free parking, making it an easy park to build a longer visit around.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.5 km (2.8 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Park, Coastal, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Cafe open weekends year round, public toilets, picnic sites.
- Parking
- Free car park at Carnfunnock Country Park, on the Coast Road (A2) north of Larne.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Carnfunnock Country Park Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in County AntrimFrequently Asked Questions
Is Carnfunnock Country Park Circular dog friendly?
Carnfunnock Country Park is a solid choice for a day out with your dog, earning a rating of 8 out of 10 on Wildpack. The 191-hectare park combines mixed woodland, open coastal parkland and views across the North Channel, giving dogs plenty to explore across a 4.5km circuit. There's no livestock anywhere in the park, free parking, public toilets and a cafe open at weekends year round, making it easy to build a relaxed visit around.
Can dogs be off lead at Carnfunnock Country Park Circular?
There's good off-lead potential through the quieter wooded sections of the park, away from the maze, gardens and busier picnic areas. The woodland paths are gentle and provide plenty of space for a dog to run and explore, and the absence of livestock anywhere in the park is a real plus. You'll want to keep your dog on the lead around the more popular spots like the hedge maze and walled garden, but there's enough quiet forest to give them a decent run.
What should I know before visiting Carnfunnock Country Park Circular with my dog?
The full circuit covers around 4.5km with only modest climbing, so it's a manageable walk for most dogs and owners. The woodland offers useful shade on warmer days, and the varied mix of forest, gardens and coastal parkland gives dogs a good range of scents and terrain to enjoy. The cafe is open at weekends year round rather than daily, so it's worth bearing that in mind if you're planning a midweek visit and counting on refreshments.
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