A spectacular level coastal walk along Lough Foyle (Northern Ireland’s biggest estuary) with great views of the hills of Inishowen and Binevenagh. A perfect place to observe the waders and wildfowl that visit Lough Foyle and to be thrilled by their evocative calls. The walk also boasts great views over Lough Foyle to Inishowen and is the perfect place to watch the various wildfowl who visit Lough Foyle.
(S/E) The track forms a T-junction with Shore Avenue. Carefully park up at the junction of Shore Avenue and the track.
(1) From the car park walk North along Ballymacran Bank (A). The track runs Northwards 2 Km to meet the River Roe with its remnant of estuarine salt marsh.
(2) The walk is linear, so when you meet the River Roe with its remnant of estuarine salt marsh, return the way you came – don’t worry as the views are spectacular in both directions! The track is very obvious and runs between the sea wall and the “back pond”, a wide linear drain that collects water draining off the fields. (S/E)
Waypoints
S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3 ft - Parking
1 : mi 0.2 - alt. 3 ft - Ballymacran Bank
2 : mi 1.44 - alt. 0 ft - End of the path - About-turn
S/E : mi 2.87 - alt. 3 ft - Parking
Notes
Start : Turn off the A2 at the roundabout just west of Limavady on to the B69 (towards Magilligan and Castlerock). After 2km, turn left on to B510 (Lomond Road). There is (January 2013) a large brown sign at the turn off indicating directions for “Carrowmore Activity Centre and Hostel”. Follow this road for 2km and turn right on to Carrowclare Road. After a few hundred metres, veer left at a sweeping right bend. This road is Shore Avenue and comes to an end near the sea wall. Take special care at the railway level crossing – stop, look, listen!
Park at the end of this road but please do not obstruct gates and entrances!
(A) Walking along Ballymacran Bank by the shore of Lough Foyle, you can savour a backdrop of Binevenagh Mountain to the northeast and the famed hills of Donegal punctuating the Inishowen skyline to the west. Between which lies Lough Foyle, Northern Ireland’s biggest expanse of estuary, enlivened by the evocative primeval calls of waders and wildfowl.
To open this route on your smartphone, you must have the Visorando app installed. If not, got to the Apple Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android) to download the app.