Slievenacloy Nature Reserve

Slievenacloy Nature Reserve is a vast, windswept 245-hectare upland sanctuary perched high in the rugged Belfast Hills between Stoneyford and Divis Mountain. Owned and tightly protected by Ulster Wildlife, this expansive National Nature Reserve is celebrated as one of the finest surviving examples of species-rich, unimproved grassland in Northern Ireland. The landscape is a sprawling mosaic of natural meadows, rush pastures, purple moor grass, and hidden valleys sliced through by the Stoneyford River. Rich in ancient history, the reserve contains eight recorded prehistoric burial monuments and the stone ruins of 19th-century farmsteads. Slievenacloy offers a hill-walking experience defined by big skies, shifting weather, and unparalleled panoramic views that stretch across Belfast to five of the six Ulster counties.

Yes, dogs must be kept on a lead at all times across the entire reserve. Because this is a working conservation farm with free-roaming cattle, keeping your dog securely leashed is a strict requirement to prevent livestock worrying.