Garry Forest

Garry Wood is a small wood consisting of just over 566 hectares lying to the north of Ballymoney village. The forest area is made up of two main woodlands, Heagles and the main block Garry with both comprising of various conifer species with no hardwood areas of note. Its size is deceptive, with only 311.6 hectares of the actual forest area being planted and the remaining 40% being made up of open ground.

An extensive portion of this open ground is a National Nature Reserve (N.N.R.) and an area has also been further designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (A.S.S.I.). This is due to the area containing one of the largest areas of undamaged lowland raised bog in Northern Ireland. The boundaries of these areas are very difficult to define on the ground and they can be challenging walking for the inexperienced walker.

The planted blocks contain little in the way of roads with Garry wood containing a number of dead end roads which means the walker frequently has to retrace their steps if staying solely to the forest roads. The wood at Heagles contains no forest roads and as such is rarely used by walkers. Garry however is one of the few forest areas where the cutting of turf banks is still actively being carried out.

How to get there

Situated off the A26 Belfast to Coleraine road opposite Ballymoney on the B66 Knock Road to Dervock (on the right when travelling from Belfast towards Coleraine). Heagles is off the B62 Ballybogey Road towards Ballybogey turning at the village for a mile onto the Ballindreen Road.  

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

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