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Newry Canal Towpath – Carlingford loop from Poyntzpass

Routes

Bike touring routes & trails

Newry Canal Towpath – Carlingford loop from Poyntzpass

Moderate

riders

Newry Canal Towpath – Carlingford loop from Poyntzpass

04:56

83.8km

400m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 9, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 49.5 km for 84 m

After 67.8 km for 263 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

2.54 km

Newry Canal Towpath

Highlight • Cycleway

A very flat and reasonably scenic cycle from Newry to Portadown and back. A round trip of about 18 miles. Cycling along the route of the old Newry Canal you get a chance to look at the old canal lock gates and gatekeepers cottages. A recommendation refreshment stop in Poyntzpass is Petty Sessions coffee shop, they have an excellent selection of food, sweet and savoury. You can also do sections of the route or in the opposite direction.

Tip by

9.97 km

Lock Keeper's Cottage Ruins

Highlight • Structure

Between the rustling trees along the Newry Canal Towpath, you'll encounter the tranquil ruin of a lock keeper's cottage. Once, this was the proud and bustling heart of the waterway, where the lock keeper stood ready day and night to operate the heavy wooden canal gates for passing barges. Today, only the robust stone walls remain, slowly being reclaimed by nature.

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19.7 km

Newry Ship Canal

Lake

21.5 km

Victoria Lock

Highlight • Structure

an imposing lock complex from 1850 that marks the transition from the canal to the open waters of Carlingford Lough. It is the perfect place to get some fresh air and enjoy the maritime dynamics.

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29.8 km

View of Carlingford Lough

Highlight • Viewpoint

48.3 km

Taaffes Castle

Highlight • Castle

Taaffe's Castle is a fortified merchant's house dating from the early 16th century, built by the wealthy Taaffe family, who later became the Earls of Carlingford. Situated near the old harbour, the building originally served as a trading post on the ground floor with residential floors above. The architecture displays typical defensive features such as machicolations, narrow loopholes, spiral staircases, and multi-level garderobes. [curiousireland.ie], [castles.nl], [carlingfor...centre.com]
The main structure is a four-storey rectangular tower, later extended with a 16th-century northern extension. Its location and construction clearly demonstrate Carlingford's importance as a thriving trading town during that period. After the 17th century, it fell into disuse, and eventually fell into disuse. Today, it forms part of a pub complex and remains a striking example of medieval urban defensive architecture in Carlingford.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

48.4 km

Carlingford

Highlight • Settlement

This charming seaside town overlooks the Mourne Mountains, whose silhouette rises along the coast of Northern Ireland. Carlingford is very lively at weekends thanks to its many pubs and restaurants, which attract visitors from the north, and is famous for its oysters.
The village has several historical sights, such as the small King John's Castle, with its romantic silhouette overlooking the sea, and Taaffe's Castle, a former 16th-century merchant's house located a little further from the quay.

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49.6 km

Carlingford Castle (King John's Castle)

Highlight • Castle

Above the medieval street pattern, which dominates the silhouette of Carlingford, stands the imposing ruin of Carlingford Castle, also known as King John’s Castle. This castle was built around 1190 by the Norman knight Hugh de Lacy and was for centuries the strategic key to the entrance of Carlingford Lough.

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67.9 km

Albert Basin

Lake

76.5 km

Newry Canal Towpath

Highlight • Historical Site

Quiet canal section south of Poyntzpass, where the towpath runs tightly along the narrow water. The bank is lightly overgrown with low trees and hedges, giving the stretch an intimate, green impression. The water is mostly still, forming a straight line through the open agricultural landscape. An even, traffic-free segment ideal for quiet miles on the towpath.

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83.8 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

50.0 km

28.1 km

2.66 km

1.90 km

1.14 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

74.9 km

6.19 km

1.87 km

382 m

319 m

141 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (200 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Saturday 22 August

18°C

10°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

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Newry Canal Towpath – Carlingford loop from Poyntzpass

Newry Canal Towpath

Lock Keeper's Cottage Ruins

Victoria Lock

View of Carlingford Lough

Taaffes Castle

Carlingford

Carlingford Castle (King John's Castle)

Newry Canal Towpath

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