NORTHERN IRELAND
CYCLING
The information given here is not all encompassing but it is as up to date as possible.
The province has National Cycle network routes and many local high quality cycle routes exist.
CYCLE NORTHERN IRELAND
ROUTE 91The Kingfisher Trail (300 miles) starts at Enniskillen and follows a figure of eight around the Fermanagh and Leitrim lakes, criss crossing the border several times. |
ROUTE 93The Belfast to Ballyshannon (230 miles) route runs through the Sperrin Mountains to the Fermanagh Lakeland and beyond to the Donegal coast. The route starts at Whiteabbey village, just to the north of Belfast then to Oxford Island on Lough Neagh and to Portadown. From there it goes to Armagh, Tynan and the Ulster American Folk Park to Enniskillen, picking up Route 91 to end at Rossnowlagh in Donegal. |
ROUTE 94The Loughshore Trail (110 miles) is a bi-directional route around Lough Neagh, The largest fresh water lake in Ireland and the UK. Points of interest include the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, Holy Well and Cranfield Church. |
THE CARLTON TRAILStarting from Clougher, there are three routes running around the locality. The Black route (8 miles) passing William Carleton's birthplace. The Green route (28 miles) is a quiet country trail. The Red route (28 miles), going past St. Patrick's Chair & Well, passing rough ground with an alternative route. |
THE CAUSEWAY COASTStarting at Portrush, this route (27 miles) gives great views of Rathlin Island and the Scottish coast as well as local wonders like the Giant's Causeway. Also on the route is the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. |
CRAIGAVON TRAILStarting at Oxford Island this 32 mile route runs along waterways, rivers and canals. Lots to see on this route before returning to Lough Neagh. |
FOYLE VALLEYA 21 mile route connecting Strabane and Derry City but crossing the border. |
THE GLENS OF ANTRIM TRAILThis begins at Ballycastle and runs for 46 miles up the steep glens to the level Antrim plateau. Passing the vanishing lake, fairy mounds, Neolithic burial mounds and, of course, great scenery. |
MOUNTAINS OF MOURNEAnother circular route, this time 25 miles. It starts in Newcastle's northern end and runs past Castlewellan Park, then Tollymore Park and on to Lough Reavy Reservoir and turning at Leitrim to return to Newcastle. |
NEWRY CANAL WAYStarting at the Bann Bridge, Portadown (not the town of Banbridge!), this route runs 20 miles to Newry following the towpath of the old Newry Canal. This operated for about 200 years and has fourteen locks. |
SPERRINS SPRINT47 miles of the wild side of Mid-Ulster. From Cookstown to the Sperrin Heritage Centre (with the lure of finding gold) and on to Gortin and back to Cookstown via stone circles and a beetling mill. |
STRANGFORD LOUGHThis 60 mile circular route starts at Newtownards and runs along the Down coastline passing the National trust property of Mount Stewart and maybe sample the Exploris Centre at Portaferry . As its name suggest, you catch a ferry across the Lough (every half hour) to Strangford. From there to Downpatrick and Castle Espie with Ireland's biggest collection of wild water birds. Then on to Scrabo Tower and back into Newtownards. |