17.9 miles
Loop
Katesbridge
The route starts in the small village of Katesbridge close to the busy town of Banbridge and follows a former railway line where many of the old railway bridges are still well perserved. The route continues into the Dromara foothills providing views of the Mournes and the Belfast Hills.
TRAIL INFORMATION
From the small village Katesbridge the route follows the line of a former railway with the Bann River meandering off to your right. Many of the railway bridges are well preserved and can be seen as you cycle along before crossing the river and heading uphill to meet the main Castlewellan road. This road carries fast moving traffic at times but a short detour to the award winning Corbet Lough is well worthwhile. From here you continue to climb into the Dromara foothills before turning right about half a mile outside the village of Waringsford.
At the next crossroads turn right, then right again at a garage and then immediately right into Fedany Road. This road brings you onto a ridge from where you can see as far as the Belfast Hills to the north and the Mourne range to the south. It’s mainly downhill from here before re-crossing the Castlewellan road again just before Katesbridge.
TRAIL INFORMATION
From the small village Katesbridge the route follows the line of a former railway with the Bann River meandering off to your right. Many of the railway bridges are well preserved and can be seen as you cycle along before crossing the river and heading uphill to meet the main Castlewellan road. This road carries fast moving traffic at times but a short detour to the award winning Corbet Lough is well worthwhile. From here you continue to climb into the Dromara foothills before turning right about half a mile outside the village of Waringsford.
At the next crossroads turn right, then right again at a garage and then immediately right into Fedany Road. This road brings you onto a ridge from where you can see as far as the Belfast Hills to the north and the Mourne range to the south. It’s mainly downhill from here before re-crossing the Castlewellan road again just before Katesbridge.
GETTING TO THE START
By Bus Local service operate from Banbridge to Katesbridge see www.translink.co.uk for more detail By Car Follow the A1 south from Belfast to Banbridge and then take the A50 heading towards Castlewellan.
- Facilities Refreshments are available at McCoys filling station just before you enter the village of Katesbridge.
- Getting to the Start By Bus Local service operate from Banbridge to Katesbridge see www.translink.co.uk for more detail By Car Follow the A1 south from Belfast to Banbridge and then take the A50 heading towards Castlewellan.
- Traffic Information Normal road traffic
- 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 Corbet Lough has recently been updated to allow easier access to wheelchair users.
