Drumcairne Forest is a paradise of pine, decorated in the warm beauty of autumn

SITUATED just under two miles from Stewartstown, Drumcairne Forest is very much an un-developed jewel for the local area.

It covers a total of 210 hectares and is made up of several different areas of woodland, with ponds, paths and plenty of plant and wildlife. All of this ensures that there are plenty of opportunities for long or short walks, and the potential for more to be provided in the future.

There is ample parking at the main car park and its close proximity to Stewartstown makes Drumcairne an ideal walking destination.

Parking at the main car park, there are a choice of routes. One of the main ones is through the large area of forest immediately adjacent to the car park.

Heading left, you’ll head on a slightly upward curve through the forest. Recent years have seen calls for the forest to be further developed. However, one of the current advantages is wandering in its remote peacefulness, removed from the pressures of modern life.

The tree canopy is magnificent, even when it is raining, and on sunny days there are a number of picnic tables to rest and relax.

The paths are fairly well maintained, and the birdsong, the smell of the plant life and the vista of trees stretching out ahead are all memorable features. And with the little streams flowing through, the different varieties of trees and plant life and the ponds, and there’s no doubting Drumcairne’s Forest as an ideal location for getting out and enjoying nature.

There are hopes that a major development of the forest will soon begin, after Mid Ulster District Council carried out a public consultations to gather views from the local community. The council said it recognises that more needs to be done in order to unlock the potential of Drumcairne as another alternative for outdoor recreation in the Mid Ulster area, as well as developing a valuable community resource.

This walk has proven popular with generations of people from the Stewartstown and wider area and remains an ideal and much-loved amenity.