5 miles
Loop
Antrim Town Loop
Antrim is a great town for cycling with opportunities to explore the National Cycle Network and other traffic free paths. An excellent circular route exists around the town with traffic-free waterside cycling and walking the main attraction.
TRAIL INFORMATION
From the car park follow the path into Rea’s Wood. Continue through Rea’s Wood, ignoring all tracks off to the right and left. After 750m you reach the National Nature Reserve. After a further kilometre, the path reaches an iron gate. This is the southern limit of the National Nature Reserve and there is no public access beyond this point. However, a path then veers off to the left, leading onto the Dublin Road. You can then cross over the Dublin Road and follow the signs for the Mill Race Trail along Kirby's Lane. From the Trail's car park area, follow the waymarkers signs on the left, where a lovely riverside path takes you back into Antrim passing along side the old mill race. Once in town turn left at the end of High Street and pass the Motte en route to Clotworthy House. Cross the river at the old stone bridge and follow the riverside path back to the Lough. An additional route leaves Clotworthy House on a cycle track to Randalstown on The Loughshore Trail, a 110 Mile Route around Lough Neagh.
TRAIL INFORMATION
From the car park follow the path into Rea’s Wood. Continue through Rea’s Wood, ignoring all tracks off to the right and left. After 750m you reach the National Nature Reserve. After a further kilometre, the path reaches an iron gate. This is the southern limit of the National Nature Reserve and there is no public access beyond this point. However, a path then veers off to the left, leading onto the Dublin Road. You can then cross over the Dublin Road and follow the signs for the Mill Race Trail along Kirby's Lane. From the Trail's car park area, follow the waymarkers signs on the left, where a lovely riverside path takes you back into Antrim passing along side the old mill race. Once in town turn left at the end of High Street and pass the Motte en route to Clotworthy House. Cross the river at the old stone bridge and follow the riverside path back to the Lough. An additional route leaves Clotworthy House on a cycle track to Randalstown on The Loughshore Trail, a 110 Mile Route around Lough Neagh.
GETTING TO THE START
To get there follow the signs to the Lough Shore Park off the Dublin Road in Antrim. On reaching the Park, turn left and continue to the car park that looks out over Lough Neagh. Rea’s Wood now lies to your left as you look out over the Lough.
- Facilities To enhance your enjoyment of the Trail, picnic tables, benches and bike stands are located along the route. The Loughshore Coffee House at the Lough Shore Park is open all year around for breakfast, light lunches and refreshments.
- Getting to the Start To get there follow the signs to the Lough Shore Park off the Dublin Road in Antrim. On reaching the Park, turn left and continue to the car park that looks out over Lough Neagh. Rea’s Wood now lies to your left as you look out over the Lough.
- Traffic Information From Reas' Wood, you need to cross the Dublin Road which can be busy and then follow Kirby's Lane down onto the Mill Race Trail, which can be rather narrow and bendy in places.
- Bike Hire Providers Iron Donkey Bicycle Touring Iron Donkey Bicycle Touring 15 Ballyknockan Rd Saintfield Email: info@irondonkey.com Phone: 028 9081 3200 http://www.irondonkey.com
- Accessible Facilities On the Rea's Wood section, the path may on occasions have some loose stones or be slightly uneven, so may be difficult for wheelchairs. The route is mainly flat and there are no steep gradients or obstacles to overcome, apart from having to cross a busy road.
