Cross Larne Lough in a 30 foot ferry boat and cycle 2 miles to the sandy beach at Browns Bay. In a very short space of time you will be in a delightfully quiet and unspoiled part of Northern Ireland.
| County | Antrim |
| Nearest Town | Larne |
| Distance | 2 miles miles |
| OS Map | 9 |
| Route Type | Coastal |
| Route Shape | Linear |
| Public Roads | On Public Road |
| AONB | Other Area |
| Grid Ref (Start) | D415024 |
| Grid Ref (End) | D435027 |
Sea crossing in a small wooden ferry boat. Rural tarmac road.
Larne Harbour
Ferry
Brown's Bay
This bike ride starts at Larne Harbour. At the Main Entrance you need to get a ticket from the security hut and then walk down a fenced pathway, through a gate and across an area where there might be moving vechicles to get to the slipway. The Islandmagee Ferry is run by McLoughlin Shipping Company (028) 2827 3785 and booking is necessary especially at weekends. Crossings can be at irregular times. It is a small ferry boat not big enough to take cars. The fee each way is £3 and the journey takes less than 5 minutes. At the road at Ballylumford on Islandmagee, turn left and follow it for 2 miles until you come to Browns Bay beach where there are grassy areas and seats.
The bike ride starts at Larne Harbour Ferry Terminal. The main roads into Larne are the A8 from Belfast and the A2 from the north coast and also coming south from Carrickfergus. Follow the signs to the ferry terminal. There is a train station at Larne Harbour. Make your way to the Ferry Terminal Main Entrance. Contact Translink (028) 9066 6630 for train and bus times.
Usually very quiet. Browns Bay has a Council-owned caravan and camping park which is popular in the summer. The route passes the entrance of a golf course.
There is one small shop at Browns Bay. Toilets are avilable. Disabled parking is available.
This route has accessible toilet facilities.
A numbered pass is given by security to get access to the ferry terminal which is through a fenced pathway about 50m long. The boat can take bicycles and passengers only. Assistance may be needed to lift the bicycle on and off the boat at both ends. This can be difficult depending on sea conditions. The road is smooth.
Existing publication to be updated.
Causeway Coast and Glens, Coleraine (028) 7032 7720.
www.causewaycoastandglens.com
This information is provided by Countryside Access and Activities Network, The Stableyard, Barnett's Demesne, Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5PB.
Tel: 028 9030 3930
Fax: 028 9062 6248
info@cycleni.com
www.countrysiderecreation.com
Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of the information. We cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions but where such are brought to our attention, the information will be amended accordingly.