Lough Foyle Trail
Lough Foyle is a sheltered haven on the Atlantic coast, a refuge for sailors, wintering birds, breeding seals and walkers. This is a flat, off-road walk, that for most of its length follows alongside a freshwater pond with dotted with reed beds. The expanse of Lough Foyle can be viewed on the other side of the sea wall for the length of the walk.
County Londonderry
Distance 5.2 miles
OS Map 7
Terrain Rough track and sea wall
Nearest Town Ballykelly or Limavady
Route Shape Linear
Grid Reference C614235
Route Type Coastal
From Ballykelly 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.
Here, the track turns sharp right 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 west.
The track continues for two miles until it comes to the Burnfoot River which rises on Loughermore Mountain to the south. A new footbridge was installed across the Burnfoot River in July 2015, which allows the walker to cross the river and continue walking along the shores of Lough Foyle.
Turn left after crossing the bridge and follow the path to where the river meets Lough Foyle. Just offshore at this point lies the wreck of a World War Two aircraft, that can be seen at low water.
Continue eastwards walking along Ballymacran Bank, where the walker 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.
The route continues to run northwards to meet the River Roe with its remnant of estuarine salt marsh. The route continues for 800m from where it starts to curve eastwards at the Roe Estuary, and ends where the path meets the railway line between Derry/ Londonderry and Coleraine.
The walk is linear, so return the way you came – don’t worry as the views are spectacular in both directions! Spectacular views can be enjoyed from the sea wall but take care if climbing the grassy bank or walking along the top of the wall at any point along the route.
This walk can be enjoyed whatever the weather – but come suitably attired and be prepared for a change in the weather! The track is well surfaced and any sensible footwear should suffice. There are no picnic facilities or benches along the route and you should bring a flask, a groundsheet or blanket, and some snacks if you plan to take your time to savour the landscape, seascape and wildlife of this beautiful area.
This route can be started at either Ballykelly Bank or Ballymacran Bank, from both of which shorter sections of the route can be enjoyed. See the respective pages on WalkNI for each of these sections for route descriptions and maps. Parking is also available at Myroe Levels. Please note that the path is 5.2 miles in length (one way), 2.6 miles between Ballykelly and Ballymacran car parks, 1.2 miles between Ballymacran and Myroe carparks, and 1.4 miles from Myroe car park at the end of the path where it meets the railway track. See map for details.
Lough Foyle – Ramsar site & RSPB reserve, Natura 2000 site
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.
By foot:
On the Londonderry/ Derry side of Ballykelly.
Leave Ballykelly village, walking towards Londonderry/Derry. Just before the edge of the village, 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 cross the bridge over Ballykelly River
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Dogs must be kept under control at all times
Car parks at Ballykelly, Ballymacran and Myroe Levels, information panels, bird hides
Grade 5
- There may not be a formalised path, and variable, single file trails are to be expected.
- Gradients and cross slope could be expected to be steep and not limited.
- Obstacles and surface breaks of greater than 75mm measured across the line of the path to be expected.
- Overhanging branches are possible. Passing places and rest areas may not be formalised or provided.
Comments will be reviewed and those that cause offence will be removed. This is at the discretion of WalkNI.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the walking routes listed on WalkNI safely and easily.
If you have come across any problems whilst walking a route, please let us so we can pass on any issues to the appropriate management body responsible for maintaining the walk.
Walk Route
Lough Foyle Trail
We did the Ballykelly to Ballymacran section on a hot July day and don’t recommend it for that weather. There is a bench by the first hide (but note that the hides are merely walls with gaps to look through, not shelters). Thereafter the walk was monotonous and unremittingly hot – no shade, heat radiating off the path and beating down from above, no breeze (blocked by the sea wall) and no view of the lough (again, sea wall). The view on the other side is pleasant enough but not as spectacular as billed! I expect it would be nice for a flat walk on a spring day.
A lovely walk with big skies, shelter provided by the sea wall and level paths – for those who don’t like gradients…. Dog friendly. Unfortunately you will have to retrace your steps if you go to the end as exit is blocked at the roe estuary end by the railway track.
We estimated it was about 18 K from the Ballykelly carpark to the Roe estuary and back.