Carlingford Lough Greenway

Starting in the bustling, seaside village of Carlingford, you will leave the village behind using a quiet road (Black Lane) as you pass within viewing distance of St. John’s Castle. After approximately 750 meters, you will reach a junction crossing with the R173. This is a busy road so due care should be taken when crossing. You will immediately turn off the R173, travelling towards the Marina on a quiet road – you can also opt to begin your journey from the Marina. From the Marina, the segregated route begins as you quickly enter open countryside.   

This section provides magnificent views of the Cooley mountains (home to Louth’s highest mountain – Slieve Foye) on one side and the Mourne Mountains on the other wide of Carlingford Lough with a clear view out to the estuary itself. You can opt to take a short break at Greer’s Quay – a short pier built in the 19th century as a breakwater by a local landlord with the stone quarried from the Cooley mountains. This an ideal location for photos of the Lough though it can be blustery as like most locations in Carlingford Lough, it is exposed to south easterly conditions. A short distance on (c. 500 meters), you can opt to visit the Táin café which is located adjacent to the greenway.  

Continuing your journey, you will reach the Ryland River after a short distance with the greenway route merges with the local road (R173) for a short distance.  There is a shared use path for walkers and cyclists – this is a narrow path so please be respectful of other users. After approximately 400 meters, you will again join a segregated route as you approach Omeath. There is a public amenity space located beside the Pier with ample public seating available as well as bike stands. Omeath is a scenic, seafront village filled with a rich cultural history and refreshment options.   

Shortly after leaving Omeath, the route surface will change to a gravel finish – this is in rideable condition. Cycling adjacent to the shoreline, you can look across to the commercial port at Warrenpoint on the other side of the lough. Another point of interest is the Narrow Water Castle- a 16th century structure. After approximately 2 kilometres, you will reach the construction site for the Narrow Water Bridge – this suspension bridge is currently under construction with two distinctive 20-meter high, stone effect tower designed to replicate historical monastic round towers. An access route through the construction site for Greenways users is in place with the bridge due to be completed in late 2027. The next section of the route involves passing through a former railway cutting with the high slopes on either side of the greenway.   

Shortly after crossing over the Border into County Down, you will be directed onto a distinctive cantilevered boardwalk which extends outward from the shoreline. This structure runs for approximately 2 kilometres providing for access to Victoria Lock.   

Embarking on the final section, you will leave Victoria Lock (please note that cyclists dismount for c. 10 meters to cross the walkway over the lock) as you continue along a narrow stretch of land located between the Newry Ship Canal and the Newry River. This is a particularly scenic and wild stretch of the route with a tree lined corridor featuring along the route as you can glimpse water on both sides of the route. As you approach Newry, the surrounding landscape will gradually become more urban with the GAA stadium (Páirc Esler) representing a distinctive landmark that signals your approach into the city. The greenway route officially ends at the Albert Basin. You can opt to cross William Street and continue into the city, but it should be noted that cycling lanes may not be available. The train station is located on the outskirts of Newry (c. 3.5km from the end point of the greenway route).  

Towards Portadown  

From Newry, you can pick up the Portadown to Newry Canal Greenway. The formal access point for this route is located across the river (and canal) from Tesco at the northern side of the city (approximately 1.5 kilometres from the access point for the Carlingford Lough Greenway).

Winding through drumlin hills and matching the route of the current Belfast to Dublin railway, this 29km route uses towpaths along the disused Newry Canal as well as quiet country lanes to head north towards Portadown through Poyntzpass and Scarva from Newry City. From Portadown, you can avail of the ‘Black Paths’ active travel network which connects Portadown, Lurgan and Craigavon. Further details on this route can be found at https://www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/craigavon-to-newry-and-newry-canal-towpath-route-9/