Cycle NI - Your definitive guide to cycling in Northern Ireland

Kingfisher Trail

Route Details

The Kingfisher Trail has been named after the kingfisher, a bird long associated with the lakes, fishing and the tranquillity of the rural setting. This is a beautiful rural area of quiet country roads well suited to cycling as there is very little traffic. This 230 mile trail was the first mapped and signed long distance cycle route in Ireland and is still regarded as one of the most enjoyable.

County

Fermanagh

Distance

230 miles (370km)

Nearest Town

Enniskillen

OS Map

OS 16, 17, 26

Route Type

Lakeland, Parkland and Grassland, Riverside

Route Shape

Circular

AONB

Fermanagh

Grid Ref (Start)

H240440

Public Roads

On Public Road

Grid Ref (End)

H240440

Terrain

Tarmac Roads

Point of Interest

Marble Arch Caves
Belleek Pottery
Florence Court
Upper and Lower Lough Erne
Crom Estate

Route Description

For the Kingfisher Trail, we strongly recommend following an official map which can be purchased from www.sustrans.org

The trail is designed to allow for both long and short cycling trips. The route naturally falls into two main loops so it can be cycled as two separate routes or as one continuous figure of eight.

On the northern loop you can visit the Marble Arch Caves on a subterranean boat trip and visit Ireland's oldest pottery in Belleek. On the return leg there are the wonderful forest parks at Castle Caldwell and Castle Archdale, not to mention all the incredible scenery by the shores of Lower Lough Erne on your way back to base at Enniskillen.

The southern loop starts at Carrick-on-Shannon as you pedal along the shores of Lough Allen to the Shannon Pot, where Ireland's greatest river rises. From here cycle through the magical Upper Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh and take the ferry* to Crom Estate, a National Trust property and one of Ireland's most important nature conservation areas.

*PLEASE NOTE - The ferry must be booked at least 24 hours in advance (Tel: 028 6773 8118).