Cycle NI - Your definitive guide to cycling in Northern Ireland

Strule Valley Cycle Route

Cycling along the Strule and it`s tributary valley, the Owenkillew, you will be travelling along rivers which are part of one of the best salmon and trout angling regions in Europe.

County

Tyrone

Distance

37 miles/59km

Nearest Town

Newtownstewart

OS Map

Sheets 12 and 13

Route Type

Hill, Riverside, Woodland

Route Shape

Circular

AONB

Sperrins

Grid Ref (Start)

H405854

Public Roads

On Public Road

Grid Ref (End)

H405854

Terrain

Route is all on tarmac with one optional off road section through part of Gortin Forest. Route also includes several short hill climbs.

Point of Interest

Strule and Owenkillew rivers.
Stewart Castle, Newtownstewart.
Sion Mills - an architectural conservation village

Route Description

From Newtownstewart Main Street follow the NCN 92 signs to go under the town`s by-pass road after Moyle Bridge turn right on to the Carrigans Road. Just after Carrigans turn left following Strule route signs towards Gortin Forest, the route travels around Gortin Lakes before dropping down to Gortin Village. Leaving Gortin follow the cycle signs to Plumbridge, the route goes around the larger hills by travelling to Shannony Bridge and then on to Skinboy Wood before dropping to the Swinging Bridge and across to Sion Mills. On leaving Sion Mills travel south towards Douglas Bridge then follow the minor road on the eastern side of the Strule which leads back to Newtownstewart.

Getting to the Start

Ulsterbus services run from Belfast to Omagh and on to Newtownstewart for timetables visit www.translink.co.uk
By car from Belfast follow the signs for the M1 motorway travelling west to Ballygawley roundabout, then turn north on to the A5 signed to Omagh and Derry. From Omagh follow the A5 signs for Newtownstewart and Strabane.