BELFAST TO BALLYSHANNON ROUTE DESCRIPTION

The 242 mile Belfast to Ballyshannon cycle route is the first fully signed coast to coast cycling route in Ireland. It links the industrial heritage of Belfast to the rounded profile of the Sperrins, the lakes of Fermanagh and Leitrim and the beautiful sandy beaches of County Donegal.

The route begins in Whiteabbey on the shores of Belfast Lough and passes Belfast docks, famous as the birthplace of the SS Titanic. It follows the river Lagan towpath towards Lisburn, and minor roads to Portadown, then the Newry Canal, leading south towards Scarva, Newry and Dublin.

The route turns towards the Cathedral City of Armagh, with its ecclesiastical and educational heritage, and Tynan, with its famous cross, then follows the line of the former Ulster Canal and grassy lanes towards the market towns of Dungannon and Cookstown.

After Cookstown, the remoteness and the beauty of the Sperrin Mountains becomes evident; this magnificent landscape has changed little since Stone Age people built their circles and alignments, like those at Beaghmore. Heading towards Omagh, via Gortin, the route passes the Ulster American Folk and History Parks and uses quiet roads through small country towns and village towards Enniskillen, where the Kingfisher Trail follows loughs and rivers towards Ballyshannon, Rossnowlagh Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.


Information courtesy of Sustrans