Oxford Island
This trail takes in the Oxford Island National Nature Reserve and is a haven for wildlife. Visitors can explore a range of habitats from woodlands to reedbeds. The trail also takes in Kinnego Marina, from here the visitor can enjoy a boat trip around the secluded bays and islands.
County Armagh
Distance 4.1 miles
OS Map Sheet 20
Terrain 70% Traffic Free Paths
Nearest Town Lurgan, Craigavon, Portadown
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference J048620
Route Type Parkland & Grassland, Woodland
The walk begins at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre or Kinnego Marina and includes some steps.
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre and Kinnego Marina
By car – Take turn-off for Junction 10 on the M1 and follow signs to Oxford Island.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Toilets and refreshments are available in the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre and Kinnego Marina. Accomodation is available at Kinnego Caravan Park. The following facilities are available for users with limited mobility: – Café (wheelchair accessible) – Shop (wheelchair accessible) – Disabled toilets – Disabled parking
Grade 4
- The path may not be hard and firm in all weathers with loose stones (not bigger than 10cm) with occasional tree roots and pot holes and will be at least 80cm wide for its entire length.
- The path gradients and cross slopes will be greater than 6°.
- Obstacles such as steps or stiles are to be expected and surface breaks may be larger 75mm in width.
- There will be a clear head height of greater than 2.10m for the entire length of the route.
- 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
Oxford Island
We walk here quite often and if you want to walk a decent distance it is a good idea to park at the Kinnego Marina car park and to walk to and from Oxford Island.
The paths are well maintained although near the Closet viewing area there are some steep steps.
There are a lot of birds to be seen, for example, Robins, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Dunnocks, swans and Coots.
It can be very busy on the weekends.
There is a playpark for children, toilets, cafe and a visitor centre which are open in non-lockdown times.
There is very little litter and dog fouling is only a problem on the paths near Kinnego Marina in my experience.
Parking is free at all locations but the barriers do close overnight.
We frequently walk at Oxford Island and highly recommend visiting if you enjoy getting close to nature. All the gravel paths are good but there can be muddy puddles in wet weather so wear walking shoes or boots.
Our recommended route starts in Kinnego Marina car park, looping around the pond, then heading out to the breakwater, and then following the path up through the woodland to the Oxford Island visitors centre.
This is a walk for those who enjoy nature as there are a wide variety of habitats and wildlife to see. It is a great place to experience woodland and water birds. Bring some wild bird mix because we have even fed robins from our hands along the path. There are bird hides around the reserve that, when they are open, offer good views of the lough.
Facilities are good with camping, caravan, and glamping pods available. A cafe and public toilets are at the marina as well as a cafe, shop and toilets at the visitors centre.
A walk from the marina to the visitors centre and back is about 3.5 miles, with additional paths adding a further 1.5 miles if desired.
We give this walk 5 stars out of 5.