Easy hikes and walks around Braniel

Wide paths through a quiet park.

The paths meander through lush greenery that makes you feel like you're far away from the city. A well-kept park that offers space for both exercise and relaxed rolling. The tree-lined avenues are particularly beautiful - perfect for cycling in the interplay of light and shadow. The route also runs along the Connswater Community Greenway, a green corridor through Belfast that beautifully connects Orangefield Park with other green areas of the city. The evening atmosphere with the play of light on the manicured lawn and the clouds over Belfast is definitely worth a moment to pause - a calm contrast to the otherwise busy city. Ideal for a relaxed ride in the early morning or to wind down in the evening without being too far away.

Here, in the middle of the city, the characters from The Chronicles of Narnia come to life in the form of impressive bronze sculptures. As a cyclist, you pass right by the square and can pause for a moment to immerse yourself in this fantastic world. The sculptures of Aslan, the mighty lion, and the White Witch's throne in particular attract attention. The details of the figures are impressive and give the characters a special presence. The square is not only a place for literature lovers, but also an interesting work of art in the open air - a change from the usual sights. CS Lewis, the famous writer and son of the city, is omnipresent here and also makes this place a small piece of Belfast history.

Throughout WWI, many bombes were dropped in Belfast, along with land mines placed throughout the city and surrounding areas. While most areas have been refilled since the war, this spot is unique as it still remains how it was as a bomb crater from the war.

The park has an ecotrail, outdoor gym and children's playground. The park also contains Orangefield Playing Fields with a bowling green, tennis courts, soccer pitches and a Velodrome !

The Velodrome has to be booked through Belfast City Councils webpage ( book the football pitch for entry to Velodrome ) https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/Things-to-Do/Outdoor-leisure-activities/Sports-pitches-and-facilities/Book-a-pitch

This trail will take you to the places that inspired the young C.S. Lewis, one of our most famous literary sons, best known for his magical world of Narnia. Clive Staples Lewis was born in Belfast on 29 November 1898 and grew up in family homes on Dundela Avenue and Circular Road in the east of the city. The trail starts at 'The Searcher' sculpture outside Holywood Arches Library on the Holywood Road and includes sites such as C.S. Lewis Square (containing 7 Narnia inspired sculptures), St. Mark's Church, where his grandfather was rector and where Lewis himself was baptised, and No. 47 Dundela Avenue where a Blue Plaque marks where the writer was born.

Orangefield Park provides a refreshing respite from city life. It's fit with an ecotrail, outdoor gym, and children's playground, as well as bowling green, tennis courts, and a football pitch. The park boasts a beautiful display of seasonal flowers and has a winding river that flows straight through it.