Carlingford - Portadown
The Carlingford to Portadown cycleway is a wonderful cycling experience, travelling along the scenic Carlingford Lough, cycle along the narrow strip of land between the Newry Ship Canal and the Newry River then join the Newry to Portadown towpath all the way to Portadown a distance of 52.5 Kms.
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Carlingford to Omeath - 8 Kms
Omeath to Carlingford (Victoria Lock) Lough Car Park - 6 Kms
Carlingford (Victoria Lock ) Lough Car Park to Newry - 6.5 Kms (4 miles)
Newry to Jerrettspass - 8 Kms (4.75 miles)
Jerrettspass - Poyntzpass - 7 Kms (4.5 miles)
Pontyzpass - Scarva - 5 Kms (3 miles)
Scarva - Portadown - 12 Kms (7 miles)
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Heading north on the R173, there is a pathway from Carlingford for about 1Km that is safe to cycle and brings you to the start of the greenway proper at Carlingford Marina. The greenway hugs the coastline and has spectacular views of the lough and the Cooley mountains. It is flat and has a tarmac surface, built in 2012. The views across the lough are spectacular and on the other side of the lough is Northern Ireland. The border between Ireland and Northern Ireland is drawn at the Newry river which flows south into Carlingford Lough. The tourist village of Omeath is reached, 8 Kms from Carlingford. ​There is a short section on the main road before reaching Omeath of about 400m south of Omeath village. This is well signposted and the road is well marked but care needs to be taken especially outside holiday periods as drivers may not be expecting cyclists. Turn on to the main road for about 400m after which there is an entrance back on a pathway close to the Shore Road. ​
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Cycle straight through Omeath to a new section of greenway, opened in 2024, with a fine grit surface again hugging the coastline. You will cross into Northern Ireland without knowing after 4 Kms. 2 Kms later you will reach Victoria Lock at the Carlingford Lough Car Park. A perfect place to enjoy a picnic.
Start of Greenway at Carlingford
New section north of Omeath
Passing through the car park you will see a sign for Albert Basin, 5.9 Kms. Albert Basin refers to the entrance road into Newry. You will cross, what are being called the Narrow Bridges, which is a bit of a misnomer as they are not at all narrow for cyclists, see image below. The bridges are required to traverse the mudflats beneath. The bridges lead to a narrow strip of land that runs between the Newry River and the Newry Ship Canal. This strip is less than 5 metres in width in parts. But is spectacular in its own right. Unfortunately this section of about 5 Kms is stony underfoot, it is manageable but probably more suitable for bikes with chunky tyres and some suspension. I am told this is where the majority of punctures occur so be careful, cycle slowly and you will get through it.
The Narrow Bridges
Stony section into Newry
Newry town appears after 5 Kms on the narrow section with the canal still on your left and Albert Basin at the opposite side of the canal. You will eventually reach the town at Dublin Bridge on William Street. Directly across William Street is a ramp that leads down to a road that is not a through road but used as a car park. Drop down the ramp. Follow the car park until you reach Mill Street, cross the road, again using pedestrian lights, and you will meet the Translink Bus Station. Be careful as one of the roads here is one way. At the far side of the bus station, you will meet Needham Bridge with the canal on your left and the Clanrye River on your right. Turn left on to the bridge and sharp right on to Merchants Quay, the canal is now on your right. Follow Merchants Quay keeping the canal on your right on to Canal Quay. This is a one way street so be extra careful, walk with your bikes the short distance to New Street. Cross the road to the far side again keeping the canal on your right, you are still on Canal Quay. Follow the Canal Quay until you meet the tow path. you are now on the cycle path all the way to Portadown, see Maps section under Cycling through Newry.
Newry is a busy town so best to use the pedestrian lights when crossing major roads and walk with your bike using footpaths.​​​​​​​​
Entering Newry town
The towpath from Newry to Portadown is very flat and has excellent underfoot surface of tarmac/ asphalt and a wonderful cycle route through rural Northern Ireland. It runs all the way along the Portadown to Newry canal before reaching the River Bann a few kilometres outside Portadown. We pass through the tiny village of Jerrettspass and the villages of Poyntzpass and Scarva before reaching Portadown, a distance of 32 Kms or just under 20 miles. The cyclepath runs between the main Dublin to Belfast rail line and Cusher River on one side and the Newry canal on the other side. Unfortunately the canal is barely visible in places as it has not been maintained and is being allowed to return to nature.
Entering Portadown and bridge over the River Bann
​​​​​​​​View this Youtube video which shows the views on Carlingford Lough and provides an interesting commentary on the trip. Note the section into Northern Ireland from Ireland had not been completed when this video was shot. But don't worry it's is now open.
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There are also plans to extend the greenway southward of Carlingford to Dundalk. This is currently at the public consultation stage with no date to start the works.