Lagan Towpath
The Lagan Valley Regional Park is a beautiful corridor of greenery springing from the southern districts of Belfast City. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it has at its heart the River Lagan and the Lagan Canal. Using the Lagan Valley Towpath, walkers can follow this historic waterway for 11 miles through a patchwork of parks, mixed woodland, meadows and agricultural land to the city of Lisburn. The gentle yet varied walking on good footpaths is equally suited to both serious walkers and family groups.
| County | Distance | OS Map | Terrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down | 12 miles (19.2 km) | 15 & 20 | This section is along the Lagan Towpath which is a relatively tarmac path with some road crossings. |
| Start Town / Village | Finish Town / Village | Grid References | Points of Interest |
| Belfast | Lisburn | Starts at J346737 Ends at J264629 | Belfast, historic canal and riverside habitats, Lagan Meadows, Clement Wilson Park, Barnett's Demesne, Giant's Ring, Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, Lisburn. |
Route Description
Ironically the towpath is a legacy of Belfast's industrial past. It was once the preserve of barge horses, and in many places the path has retained its traditional course between the banks of the river and stretches of canal. This dual waterway system was devised in the 18th century as a means of transporting goods to port in Belfast. Barges would navigate the river wherever possible, but where the gradient was too steep, or the water too shallow, they would divert onto canals. A series of locks, 27 in all, helped link Belfast with Lough Neagh.
One of the last remnants of that industrial age faded with the closure of the Hilden Mill in 2006 after 222 years of operation. Although it had been many years since this once massive linen mill took deliveries by canal, the now disused buildings can be seen from the route not far from Lisburn, and are a poignant reminder of the towpath's past importance.
The history of human habitation in the Lagan Valley goes back much further, through Norman settlement and right back to the Stone Age. The Giant's Ring is a Neolithic monument believed to be around 4700 years old, and is situated approximately a mile off the route itself.
Today the Lagan Valley is very much the preserve of human recreation and nature conservation, its meadows, woodland and the River Lagan proving valuable habitat for a variety of birds and mammals.
