Days Out NI
Greenway & cycle trail Belfast

Connswater Community Greenway

A flat, free, mostly traffic-free path through east Belfast, past Narnia sculptures and parks.

5 photos
Open accessRide it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
BelfastGreenway & cycle trail
Get directionsOfficial website
9kmDistance
2-3 hoursHow long
FreeCost
GravelSurface
Buggy okBest for

Connswater Community Greenway — A flat, free, mostly traffic-free path through east Belfast, past Narnia sculptures and parks.

  • Distance: About 9km main linear route (roughly 5.9 miles end to end); 16km of paths in total.
  • Surface: Flat, wide, surfaced path; firm with occasional loose stones.
  • Gradient: Flat throughout.
  • Traffic-free: Mostly, but with several road crossings (Mersey Street, Beersbridge Road, Castlereagh Road and others) — not fully segregated.
  • Bike hire: No hire on the greenway. Belfast Bikes docking station at C.S. Lewis Square.
  • Buggy / scooter: Yes — the wide surfaced path suits buggies and scooters.
Plan your visit

A flat riverside path you can ride or stroll

The greenway's main linear walk runs roughly 9km (around 5.9 miles end to end) and stays flat the whole way, following three rivers through east Belfast. The path is wide and surfaced, firm underfoot with the odd loose stone, so it carries bikes, buggies and scooters comfortably. It is mostly traffic-free, but the route crosses several roads at signed pedestrian crossings, so it is not fully segregated from start to finish. Along the way you'll pass Victoria Park, the Sam Thompson Bridge, the river channels and the seven Narnia sculptures at C.S. Lewis Square. From there the path connects to the Comber Greenway if you fancy extending the ride.

Free Mostly traffic-free Flat Surfaced path About 9km Buggy & scooter friendly
Good to know before you go:

Greenways host seasonal sportives, family cycle days and ranger events, and C.S. Lewis Square runs its own programme of festivals and outdoor activity through the year. Check listings for current dates.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🚲Bikes (or hire on the day)Check whether you bring your own or can hire at the start.
  • 🪖Helmets for everyoneEspecially the kids — a comfy helmet makes the whole spin better.
  • 💧Water and snacksNot every route has a café on it, so pack a little something.
  • 🧥A light layerYou warm up cycling but cool down at stops — easy to peel on and off.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free
Start / parking
Victoria Park (off Holywood Road / Connsbrook Avenue) or C.S. Lewis Square, Newtownards Road. Limited parking at both.
Distance
About 9km main linear route (roughly 5.9 miles end to end); 16km of paths in total.
Surface
Flat, wide, surfaced path; firm with occasional loose stones.
Gradient
Flat throughout.
Traffic-free?
Mostly, but with several road crossings (Mersey Street, Beersbridge Road, Castlereagh Road and others) — not fully segregated.
Bike hire
No hire on the greenway. Belfast Bikes docking station at C.S. Lewis Square.
Buggy / scooter friendly
Yes — the wide surfaced path suits buggies and scooters.
Toilets / food
JACK Coffee Bar and toilets at EastSide Visitor Centre, C.S. Lewis Square; further toilets at Holywood Arches Library and disabled toilets at Victoria Park.
How long to allow
2-3 hours for an out-and-back with a cafe stop; a half to full day for the whole route.
Address
C.S. Lewis Square, Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 1HE (or start at Victoria Park, East Belfast).
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
How long is the route?
About 9km main linear route (roughly 5.9 miles end to end); 16km of paths in total.
Is it traffic-free?
Mostly, but with several road crossings (Mersey Street, Beersbridge Road, Castlereagh Road and others) — not fully segregated.
Can I hire a bike?
No hire on the greenway. Belfast Bikes docking station at C.S. Lewis Square.
Is it buggy and scooter friendly?
Yes — the wide surfaced path suits buggies and scooters.
Getting there

Connswater Community Greenway starts at Victoria Park (off Holywood Road / Connsbrook Avenue) or C.S. Lewis Square, Newtownards Road. Limited parking at both.. Tap below for directions to the start.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around BelfastSee what else is close by More greenways & trails across NITraffic-free routes to walk and cycle
The story

About this trail

The Connswater Community Greenway opened the heart of east Belfast back up to its rivers. It follows the Connswater, Knock and Loop, three watercourses that had largely been hidden or culverted, and was built as part of an £11 million flood alleviation scheme that doubled as a public park and active-travel route.

Its centrepiece, C.S. Lewis Square, celebrates the Belfast-born author of The Chronicles of Narnia. Seven bronze sculptures by Irish artist Maurice Harron bring Aslan, the White Witch, Mr Tumnus, the Beavers, the Robin and the Stone Table out into the open air.

Along its length the route passes reminders of east Belfast's story, from the historic Conn O'Neill Bridge to streets linked with George Best and Van Morrison. It connects parks, playgrounds and shopping centres, and ties into the wider east Belfast greenway network including the Comber Greenway.