Day Trip: Coastal Trails & Waterfall Hike at Crawfordsburn

Escape the city for a scenic day trip along the County Down coastline at Crawfordsburn Country Park nearby Belfast (Northern Ireland). We’re meeting directly at Dublin Connolly Station at 9:00 AM to board the cross-border Enterprise train into Belfast, then transferring to the local coastal line out to Helen's Bay.
Once there, we’ll take a scenic hike through shaded glen trails past the park's woodland waterfall, check out the early 20th-century artillery at Grey Point Fort, and enjoy panoramic sea views across Helen’s Bay and Crawfordsburn beaches. We’ll wrap up the walk with warm drinks and lunch at the on-site Woodland Café before catching the train back south.

Day Schedule

| Time | Plan |
| ---- | ---- |
| 09:00 AM | Meet at Dublin Connolly Station (main concourse by the ticket gates). |
| 09:20 AM | Board the cross-border Enterprise service to Belfast Grand Central (departs ~9:30 AM, arrives ~11:45 AM). |
| 12:00 PM | Transfer to the Translink Bangor-bound train; alight at Helen’s Bay Station by ~12:25 PM. |
| 12:45 PM | Arrive at the park via a picturesque 15-minute downhill walk from the station. |
| 12:45 PM – 03:30 PM | Guided loop: Wooded Glen & Waterfall → Grey Point Fort → Helen's Bay & Crawfordsburn beaches. |
| 03:30 PM – 04:15 PM | Warm coffee, tea, and food at the on-site Woodland Café. |
| 04:30 PM | Walk back to Helen’s Bay Station for the return journey back to Dublin Connolly. |

Tickets & Travel Logistics

Dublin Connolly ⇄ Belfast Grand Central: Book the Enterprise ticket in advance via Irish Rail (irishrail.ie) or Translink for the best web fares.
Belfast Grand Central ⇄ Helen’s Bay: Buy a return local commuter ticket at the station vending machine or via the Translink mLink app (~£6–£8).
Cross-Border ID: Bring your passport if you are not Irish (or an accepted government-issued photo ID for Irish/UK citizens).

What to Bring

Passport / Travel ID (essential for cross-border travel if you are not Irish).
Comfortable walking shoes or trail runners (woodland paths can get damp).
Waterproof jacket and extra layers for the coastal breeze.
Water bottle and train snacks.
Card/cash for café stops and local transit tickets.
Small towel if you're tempted to dip your toes in the sea.