Craigs Forest

Craigs Wood is a small wood consisting of just over 260 hectares lying to the North East of Rasharkin village. The wood is made up of various conifer species with no hardwood areas of note. Its size means most of the roads could be walked in an afternoon.

Both Red and Grey squirrels now inhabit the wood, although it sad to say that Reds appear to be less likely to be seen than their larger counterparts. Craigs Wood can make for a pleasant walk on a sunny day and further up into the wood large numbers of Dragonflies are frequent. Unfortunately there are no loop roads within the wood which means the walker often has to retrace steps if staying solely to the forest roads. Once in the forest there are two roads, which branch off to your left: both these roads are dead ends and are best avoided. Most walkers would leave their car near the gate opposite the old forest house being careful not to obstruct the forest gate.

A common and popular walk is to what is locally known as the Broadstone. This is a chambered Grave lying to the Northwest tip of the forest, which is mostly accessed by walking to the forest boundary along the second forestry road on your left hand side although the feature is not actually within the forests grounds.

How To Get There

Situated outside Rasharkin village on the Gortahar Road past St. Patrick’s Primary School on the left. At the crossroads turn left on to the Mullan Road. The turning into the forest consists of a small stoned road on the right. It should be noted that the small road is also used as a driveway to a private dwelling.

The forest is open every day of the year from 8.00am until sunset. Admission is free.