Craigavon offers lots of variety for walking and cycling with the Ulster Way and the National Cycle Network passing through the area. The main locations for these activities are found close to the main towns of Portadown, Lurgan and Brownlow and close to the shores of Lough Neagh. Most of the paths are accessible for disabled users. For further information contact the Countryside Access Officer on (028) 3832 2205.
Portadown
Portadown's main walking and cycling route follows on the banks of the River Bann and the Newry Canal towpath. From early 2001 the path will open for walking between Portadown and Newry, 29km south.
Part of the Ulster Way is situated on the banks of the River Bann and is an ideal location for walking and cycling. The river's natural beauty offers an opportunity to enjoy the diverse wildlife and plants along the river. The Ulster Way follows the River Bann and Newry Canal for 5km from Portadown town centre to Knock Bridge, via Moneypenny's Lock. It is possible to walk along the canal towpath to Newry. The Ulster Way north of Portadown to Maghery is mostly on minor roads. The Pleasure Gardens beside the River and close to the town centre accommodate a modern well-equipped children's play area and one of the Province's top outdoor bowling greens.
Moneypenny's Lockhouse is an 18th and 19th Century lock keeper's house with stable's and lightman's bothy and is well worth a visit. Located 4km south of Portadown it houses an exhibition on the history of Britain's oldest summit level canal, Newry Canal, the lifestyle during the Canal era and the wildlife in the area. Portadown Public Park encompasses a wide variety of mature trees. It is an ideal setting for walking, cycling and has an exciting adventure playground.
Lurgan
This 259 acre public park in the second largest in Ireland and is situated in the heart of the town. It was once part of the Brownlow estate and still holds many of its Victorian features. In 2002 the Heritage Lottery Fund invested £1.4 m in a restoration programme of Lurgan Park, which has seen many improvements to the boundary and landscapes of the park. Children between the ages of 0 and 12 years can enjoy the new state of the art play park. With the normal swings, slides and climbing frames in situ the play park also has a zip line, large group swing and water features for even more adventure. See www.lurganpark.com for more details.
Oxford Island offers 5 km of walkways in a National Nature Reserve along the shores of Lough Neagh.
Brownlow
The City Park in Central Craigavon, provides an extensive network of walking and cycling paths. The paths by the lake lead to a number of visitor attractions including Tannaghmore Animal Farm & Gardens, the Barn Museum and Oxford Island, which are all well sign posted. Some of the cycle paths are part of the National Cycle Network.
National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network is a visionary project to provide a series of cycle routes on traffic-free paths and traffic-calmed minor roads. The paths within Craigavon form part of the Millennium Route 9, which is planned to run from Belfast to Dublin. Once complete the network will stretch for approximately 25km within the Borough of Craigavon.
www.cycleni.com
Wetlands Way
The Wetlands Way is a series of trails for walking, cycling and horse riding that run through the South Lough Neagh Wetlands, an area rich in natural and human heritage. The trails are on quiet minor roads and paths, following former bog ramparts. Points of interest are marked on the map (available from Lough Neagh Discovery Centre). The routes are circular so users can start at any point along the trails.
For further information, contact:
Countryside Access Officer
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
Oxford Island National Nature Reserve
LURGAN
Craigavon
Co Armagh BT66 6NJ
Tel: 028 3832 2205
Fax: 028 3834 7438
E-mail:
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