Days Out NI
Coastal walk Greysteel

Ballykelly to Greysteel Shore

A free, flat shoreline path on Lough Foyle with big skies and wintering geese.

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Open accessWalk it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
GreysteelCoastal walk
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2 hoursHow long
5 milesDistance
FreeCost
All agesBest for
WelcomeDogs

Ballykelly to Greysteel Shore — A free, flat shoreline path on Lough Foyle with big skies and wintering geese.

  • Distance: About 5 miles one way; the Ballykelly to Ballymacran section is roughly 2.6 miles.
  • How long: 1 to 2 hours for a shorter out-and-back; longer to walk further sections.
  • Terrain: Firm gravel track and sea wall; occasional potholes and farm vehicle use.
  • Dogs: Welcome under close control near birds and farm livestock.
  • With kids: No clifftops, but open water and steep grassy sea-wall banks - keep children close.
  • Parking: Free car park at Ballykelly, Station Road (BT49 9HU); more at Ballymacran and Myroe.
Plan your visit

A flat shore walk with huge skies

From the Ballykelly car park on Station Road, pick up the gravel track that runs behind the sea wall and follow it along the lough. It is flat the whole way, so a there-and-back to the Ballymacran car park is roughly 5 miles, but you can turn back at any point. For much of its length the path runs alongside a reedy freshwater pond, with the expanse of Lough Foyle on the far side of the sea wall. Watch the mudflats for Brent geese in winter and waders and wildfowl year round, and look west to the Donegal hills and north to the cliffs of Binevenagh. There is a bird hide along the route, and at low water you can sometimes see the remains of a wartime aircraft out on the mud.

Free Free car park Flat & easy Wintering geese Donegal & Binevenagh views Bird hide
Good to know before you go:

Lough Foyle is an internationally important wetland and the eastern shore hosts seasonal guided walks, ranger-led birdwatching and wildlife events through the year, especially in the winter goose season. Check what is on before you travel.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 👟Good shoes or bootsShore paths can be rocky, uneven and a little muddy after rain.
  • 🧥A coat or windproofThe coast is breezy — a fresh sea wind is half the fun of it.
  • 💧Water and a snackThere is rarely a shop right on the path, so pack a little something.
  • 🔭Binoculars or a cameraFor the seabirds, the seals and the big views across the water.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free
Parking
Free car park at Ballykelly, Station Road (BT49 9HU); more at Ballymacran and Myroe
Distance
About 5 miles one way; the Ballykelly to Ballymacran section is roughly 2.6 miles
How long to allow
1 to 2 hours for a shorter out-and-back; longer to walk further sections
Difficulty
Easy and flat, off-road the whole way
Terrain
Firm gravel track and sea wall; occasional potholes and farm vehicle use
Safety with kids
No clifftops, but open water and steep grassy sea-wall banks - keep children close
Dogs
Welcome under close control near birds and farm livestock
Buggy-friendly
Not really - the gravel laneway and potholes are hard going; a carrier is better
Toilets / food nearby
None on the trail; nearest toilets and cafes in Greysteel and Limavady
Address
Lough Foyle Trail car park, Station Road, Ballykelly, Co. Londonderry BT49 9HU (grid ref C614235)
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
How far is the walk?
About 5 miles one way; the Ballykelly to Ballymacran section is roughly 2.6 miles
How long should I allow?
1 to 2 hours for a shorter out-and-back; longer to walk further sections
Can I bring the dog?
Welcome under close control near birds and farm livestock
Is it buggy-friendly?
Not really - the gravel laneway and potholes are hard going; a carrier is better
Getting there

Ballykelly to Greysteel Shore is at Lough Foyle Trail car park, Station Road, Ballykelly, Co. Londonderry BT49 9HU (grid ref C614235). Free car park at Ballykelly, Station Road (BT49 9HU); more at Ballymacran and Myroe. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google Maps See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

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The story

About this stretch of coast

The eastern shore of Lough Foyle between Ballykelly and the Roe Estuary is a wall of reclaimed farmland, protected from the sea by a long earthen bank. The gravel laneways that carry the trail were built for the farmers who work the levels behind the sea wall, which is why you still share them with the odd tractor.

Lough Foyle is one of the most important wetlands in Ireland for birds. Each autumn thousands of Pale-bellied Brent geese arrive from the Arctic to feed on the mudflats, joined by wigeon, curlew, oystercatcher and other waders. An RSPB reserve protects the shore, and a bird hide along the trail lets you watch the flocks up close.

Look across the water and you see the Inishowen hills of Donegal; turn north and the stepped basalt cliffs of Binevenagh dominate the skyline. At very low tide the wreck of a wartime aircraft can sometimes be glimpsed out on the mud, a reminder of the RAF station that once stood at Ballykelly.