Ballykelly Bank

Start : Car park adjacent to the bridge over Ballykelly River. (BT49 9HU)

(S/E) From the car park, walk across the bridge and follow the gravel track to the left, following the river a short distance until you come to where it meets Lough Foyle. Depending on tide levels, you will see various waders and wildfowl (including Brent Geese in winter) feeding on the mudflats at the river mouth.

(1) Here, the track turns sharp right (North-East) and runs between the ‘back pond’ or ‘back cuts’ that drains the reclaimed land (much of it lying at or below sea level) and the grassy bank that abuts the sea wall.

Part of a concrete runway can be seen across the fields. This was the once strategically important RAF Ballykelly. Modern commercial aeroplanes cross these skies today, bound for the City of Derry airport to the east.

The track continues for two miles (3 Km) until it comes to the Burnfoot River which rises on Loughermore mountain to the south.

(2) Being a linear walk you will have to retrace your steps to the start point! (S/E)

Start : Car park adjacent to the bridge over Ballykelly River. (BT49 9HU)

Driving to the start : On the Londonderry/ Derry side of Ballykelly. Turn on to Station Rd, a minor road that runs northwest off the A2. After about 1Km, cross rail track by the level crossing and park adjacent to the bridge over Ballykelly River.

Terrain : Rough track and sea wall

Facilities : Refreshments & toilets in Ballykelly

Dog Policy : Dogs must be kept under close control.

Public Transport : Translink

Find more information and walk ideas at Walk NI here.

You will likely find otter spraints as you walk along and – if you are particularly fortunate – you may actually see an otter.
Keep an eye too for birds and mammal on the backpond drain that runs close to the track.