Follow in the footsteps of Viking raiders and explore Newtownabbey’s Carnmoney Hill.  This ancient green monument is opening its leafy doors to nature lovers on Sunday 7 October, from 12 noon to 3pm.    

Enjoy a self-guided trail to explore the hidden treasures of Carnmoney Hill. Complete a family-friendly quiz as you follow our clues into this fabulous woodland. The trail will lead you on a journey through ancient woodland, discovering the Hill’s precious wildlife and history, and finishing with spectacular views from the summit. Then it’s back down to earth, where the children will enjoy arts and crafts at the foot of the Hill.

Everyone is welcome at this free event organised by the Woodland Trust and Newtownabbey Borough Council, but there are some steep inclines which are not suitable for buggies.

The Carnmoney Hill event is taking place as part of National Trails Day 2012; a cross-border celebration of local trails which is now in its fifth year and continuing to grow from strength to strength.

Sarah Nelson, from Outdoor Recreation NI (formerly CAAN), believes that National Trails Day offers all the encouragement we should need to get outdoors and explore the trails on our doorsteps.  She explains:

“Our vision for National Trails Day is to get as many people as possible out enjoying their local trails and learning more about places they maybe pass by in the car everyday. Yet again we have had fantastic support from all our partners and have more events than ever on offer on Sunday 7^th October.”

As well as providing a unique opportunity for people across Northern Ireland to try their hands at new activities, National Trails Day is also about highlighting the great work of organisations which develop and maintain these trails and the ongoing sustainability issues that surround them.

National Trails Day in Northern Ireland is organised by Outdoor Recreation NI in partnership with financial partners, Inland Waterways of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Sport Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency with support from the Northern Ireland Forest Service and the National Trust. There is a full list of all the free events taking place on www.nationaltrailsday.co.uk and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.