Killaloo Wood
Killaloo
Woodland Trust wood
Size:
6.71 ha (16.58 acres)
Grid reference:
C511094
Map reference:
Explorer NULL
OS Landranger 7
This enchanting wood is a charming mix of ancient woodland and newer planting. Visit in spring to see a splendid bluebell display and all year round to see our impressive fungi ring sculpture.
Killaloo Wood is one of a cluster of woods nestled in the picturesque Faughan Valley Woodlands, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which includes Brackfield Wood, Red Brae Wood, Killaloo Wood, Burntollet Wood and Brackfield Bawn, with links to Ness and Ervey Wood.
Features
- Parking nearby
- Public access
- Autumn colour
- Spring flowers
- Grassland
- Broadleaved woodland
How to get to Killaloo Wood
The 10.7-hectare (26.4-acre) site is located at Killaloo, a hamlet 8km (5 miles) southwest of Derry/Londonderry on the A6 Dungiven/Belfast Road.
Killaloo Wood can be reached by car in two ways, depending on whether you intend to park in the Oaks Wood or the Red Brae car park.
If you want to park at Oaks Wood and are travelling from Belfast, travel west towards Derry/Londonderry. At the Dungiven roundabout, take the first exit onto the A6 dual carriageway. Continue along the A6 for just over 12 miles. Exit the dual carriageway at the Tamnaherin Road junction. Follow brown signs for 'Faughan Valley Woodlands'. The Oaks Wood car park is located just over the bridge on the left.
If you are travelling from Derry/Londonderry, travel east towards Drumahoe. At the Drumahoe roundabout, take the second exit onto the A6 dual carriageway. Continue along the A6 for two miles and exit the dual carriageway at the Tamnaherin Road junction. Follow the brown signs for 'Faughan Valley Woodlands'. The Oaks Wood car park is located just over the bridge on the left.
If you want to park at Red Brae and are travelling from Belfast, travel west towards Derry/Londonderry. At the Dungiven roundabout, take the first exit onto the A6 dual carriageway. Continue along the A6 for just over 10 miles. Follow signs for Ardmore. Exit the dual carriageway onto Ardmore Road, then take the first left onto Ardground Road. The Red Brae Car Park is located approximately one mile along this road on the left.
If you are travelling from Derry/Londonderry, travel east towards Drumahoe. At the Drumahoe roundabout, take the second exit onto the A6 dual carriageway. Continue along the A6 for just over six miles. Exit the dual carriageway via the slip road at Gulf Road junction. At the T-Junction, turn left. Cross the bridge then turn right to rejoin the A6, following signs for Derry/Londonderry. Continue along the A6 in the direction of Derry/Londonderry for three miles. Follow signs for Ardmore. Exit the dual carriageway onto Ardmore Road. Take the first left onto Ardground Road. The Red Brae Car Park is located approximately one mile along this road on the left.
The nearest train station is in Derry/Londonderry.
Visit Translink for more information.
The nearest bus stop is along the main A6 highway, not far from the wood.
Visit Translink for more information.
Facilities and access
Pedestrian access is via Brackfield Wood and the cycle path.
A grass path provides access to two floodplain meadows next to the River Faughan, divided by a small section of ancient woodland.
There is parking available at the Oaks Wood car park - follow the signs for Faughan Valley Woodlands. Please be aware that there is a 50-minute walk from the Oaks Wood car park through the Faughan Valley Woodlands to Killaloo Wood.
There is also a car park at the Trust’s Red Brae Wood. Access to Killaloo Wood from Red Brae car park is via a short trail and footbridge crossing. Please note the paths in Red Brae are steep in places.
There is a small toilet block with a wheelchair ramp at Ness Country Park, 2.8km/1.7 miles away, which is managed by the Forest Service.
Wildlife and habitats
Killaloo Wood is home to some wonderful wildlife, including otters and a growing number of bird species.
Animals
The Faughan Valley Woodlands’ mammal species include elusive otter, fox, badger and pine marten. In the summer months you may be lucky enough to spot the purple hairstreak butterfly, recognised by the flash of intense violet on its dusky wings.
Listen out for the distinctive plop of Atlantic salmon and several priority species – twaite shad, European smelt, sea lamprey and brook lamprey – which have been spotted in the estuaries. These waters are also a magnet for kingfishers.
Look out for:
Trees, plants and fungi
Killaloo Wood contains fragments of semi-natural ancient woodland and 4.4 hectares (10.7 acres) of new native woodland which was planted as part of the Woods on Your Doorstep community woodland creation project.
In spring, you’ll be greeted by a splendid display of vivid bluebells sprinkled with the white of wood anemones and wild garlic. In autumn, the woodland bursts into reds, golds and russets.
Look out for:
Habitats
The varied woodland at Killaloo, especially ancient woodland, is a haven for wildlife.
Explore:
About Killaloo Wood
Killaloo Wood is one of the 50 sites in Northern Ireland chosen as a Woods on Your Doorstep wood to celebrate the new millennium. Its purchase in 2001 was partly funded by the Environment and Heritage Service. The Millennium Commission provided 50% of the funding for the development and maintenance of these sites over the first five years.
Following consultation with the local community and Homebase employees, 4.5 hectares (11 acres) of the site were planted with a mixture of native broadleaved trees dominated by oak. This is particularly appropriate in the Derry/Londonderry area as its name is derived from the Irish 'dair' (oak), or 'doire' (oak grove).
Things to do at Killaloo Wood
Walking
Why not make a day of it? After seeking out our fungi ring sculpture, take a longer ramble and explore the wider sculpture trail throughout the rest of the Faughan Valley Woodlands:
- Oaks Wood
- Red Brae Wood
- Brackfield Wood.
