The best walks and hikes around Derrykeeran

The paths are wide and perfect for families, as there are no cars to disturb you. As you glide along the car-free cycling and hiking trails, you can enjoy the view of the water - especially when the sky is cloudy, the lake has a very special atmosphere, almost mystical. The route is mostly asphalt, but there are also some gravel sections that provide some variety. These single-track paths add a certain challenge to the route without being really demanding. Ideal if you prefer to take it easy, but still don't want to just walk on smooth asphalt. If you want to take a break, the lake offers many corners to catch your breath and have a picnic. There is enough space on the banks to rest a bit and enjoy the surroundings to the fullest.

At the meeting point of the Upper Bann River and the Newry Canal stands this striking signpost - a simple yet interesting construction that shows you the way. It points to places like Scarva, Newry, Portadown and Oxford Island, while the water flows quietly, creating a peaceful atmosphere. It's a moment to pause and take in the surroundings. The flow of the river, the gentle murmur and the green of the banks invite you to leave the path for a while and enjoy the view. You notice that it's not just routes that are described here, but also the connections between the towns and nature - a little reminder that every walk is more than just the path you take.

On the picturesque banks of the Newry Canal, not far from Portadown, lies a historical gem: Moneypenny's Lock. This lock house, whose history goes back to the beginning of the 19th century, has stood the test of time and today offers visitors a special insight into the past. When you enter the canal museum you feel like you have been transported to another era. The walls bear witness to the days when the lock house was still in full operation and run by the Money family. The constant rippling of the water, the passage through the lock chambers and the hustle and bustle of yesteryear are almost tangible. The exhibition tells the story of Moneypenny's Lock from its early days to the mid-20th century. Through lovingly compiled exhibits and information material, you get a feel for the importance of this place and the people who worked and lived here.

A direction post stands right where the Upper Barn River meets the Newry Canal, marking the direction of Scarva, Newry, Portadown, and Oxford Island.

Moneypenny's Lock is situated on the Newry Canal just outside of Portadown. The lockhouse has been transformed into a canal museum where you can learn about the history of the lock from between the early 1800s to the mid 20th-century, when it was ran by the Money family.

The waterwheel at Craigavon Lakes is a historical landmark. It was purchased by the council in the 70s from the south of the Province and refurbished to provide energy to the local people. The wheel never got into full swing because of the lack of waterflow, however, in recent years the wheel has been seen turning for the first time!

Craigavon Balancing Lakes, referred locally as 'The Lakes' are a set of man-made lakes built in the 1970s to control flooding. The route around the lakes is entirely flat and follows a mixture of paved and gravel paths close to the shoreline, which creates some wonderful water views as you jog along.

Similarly to a reservoir, these balancing lakes function as a water store. However, instead of storing the water for the purposes of consumption it is utilised to temporarily store flood waters. As the surrounding areas become more built up with hard surfaces, less rain excess water is stored by soil resulting in it routing quicker into the rivers. These balancing lakes help by reducing the volume of rain water reaching the rivers, which prevents flooding. And more importantly for cyclists it has the great byproduct of providing a pretty feature for MTB trails to be built around!