North West Network Greenway – Strabane to Castlefin

The route commences in the historic town of Strabane in County Tyrone where the greenway provides dedicated active travel around the border town and its many sights offering many points to start your journey from. Passing the distinctive “let the dance begin” art installation known locally as the “Tinnies“, you will continue to head Northwest towards County Donegal crossing the mighty River Foyle just below the confluence of the River Mourne and River Finn. This is a narrow bridge and cyclists should dismount to cross the bridge using the footpath. Crossing into County Donegal, another piece of sculpture ‘Three Coins’ at a roundabout marking the approach into Lifford. You can opt to continue straight through the roundabout to explore the town of Lifford – the county town of Donegal or you can opt to turn left at the roundabout (please be mindful of vehicles) and join the segregated route. 

Continuing in a south-westerly direction, you will travel adjacent to the N15, this is a smooth, wide path with a 2-meter kerbed separation strip providing enhanced safety from the road. You will have opportunities for refreshments along the route. There is a gradual decline as you approach the townland of Haw. As you travel along, there are scenic views from an elevated position of the River Finn and the surrounding Finn valley which spans both sides of the border. Famed for salmon fishing, it is the perfect location to rest and watch the anglers ply their trade.

Remnants of the historic County Donegal Joint Committee railway line can be seen crisscrossing the border in the valley below. The route passes within 1 kilometer of the border town of Clady in County Tyrone, you can opt to divert from the route across the historic nine arch bridge to visit this town (there is no dedicated footpath or cycle path on the Urney Road). As you continue on the greenway, the route does narrow for short sections with a gradual incline as you approach Castlefin. The route terminates at the Castlefin Partnership Initiative (CPI) centre. You will find a recreation and heritage park here as well as refreshment options.

National Route 92 is formed of short sections of traffic-free route. A traffic-free reclassified route travels alongside Great Northern Link in Strabane, before Route 92 picks up again at the top of Main Street, beside the Mourne River, crossing the A5 road and travelling alongside the Lifford Road, across the Foyle River ending at Bridge Street, Lifford. Further details can be viewed at https://www.walkwheelcycletrust.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/omagh-strabane-derry-route-92-and-derry-city-route-93/