Cycle NI - Your definitive guide to cycling in Northern Ireland

Katesbridge

The route starts in the small village of Katesbridge close to the busy town of Banbridge and follows a former railway line where many of the old railway bridges are still well perserved. The route continues into the Dromara foothills providing views of the Mournes and the Belfast Hills.

County

Down

Distance

Nearest Town

Katesbridge

OS Map

Route Type

Hill, Lakeland, Mountain, Parkland and Grassland

Route Shape

Circular

AONB

Other Area

Grid Ref (Start)

J207408

Public Roads

On Public Road

Grid Ref (End)

J207408

Terrain

Tarred road

Point of Interest

Katesbridge
Corbet Lough
Dromara foothills

Route Description

From the small village Katesbridge the route follows
the line of a former railway with the Bann River
meandering off to your right. Many of the railway bridges are well preserved and can be seen as you cycle along before crossing the river and heading uphill to meet the main Castlewellan road. This road carries fast moving traffic at times but a short detour to the award winning Corbet Lough is well worthwhile. From here you continue to climb into the Dromara foothills before turning right about half a mile outside the village of Waringsford.
At the next crossroads turn right, then right again at a
garage and then immediately right into Fedany Road.
This road brings you onto a ridge from where you can
see as far as the Belfast Hills to the north and the
Mourne range to the south. It’s mainly downhill from
here before re-crossing the Castlewellan road again just before Katesbridge.

Getting to the Start

By Bus
Local service operate from Banbridge to Katesbridge see www.translink.co.uk for more detail

By Car
Follow the A1 south from Belfast to Banbridge and then take the A50 heading towards Castlewellan.