Days Out NI
Greenway & cycle trail Derry

Cycle Derry

Hire a family bike in Derry and ride the flat, traffic-free Foyle riverside paths.

5 photos
Open accessRide it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
DerryGreenway & cycle trail
Get directionsOfficial website
2.7kmDistance
3 hoursHow long
FreeCost
TarmacSurface
Buggy okBest for

Cycle Derry — Hire a family bike in Derry and ride the flat, traffic-free Foyle riverside paths.

  • Distance: Waterside Greenway approx 2.7km; Foyle Valley Greenway 5km of purpose-built traffic-free path (then quiet roads).
  • Surface: Smooth, sealed, accessible-for-all path.
  • Gradient: Flat to gently undulating, relatively level riverside.
  • Traffic-free: Yes on the riverside greenways; Foyle Valley joins quiet country roads beyond 5km.
  • Bike hire: Yes - Cycle Derry, 20C Ballinska Road, BT48 0NA. Helmet with every bike, plus baskets and baby seats.
  • Buggy / scooter: Yes - paths are wide, smooth and built for buggies and wheelchairs.
Plan your visit

Flat riverside paths the kids can manage

The Waterside Greenway begins at the Peace Bridge and runs roughly 2.7km along the Foyle to Strathfoyle, fully traffic-free and relatively flat. The surface and width are built for everyone, so buggies, scooters and balance bikes all roll easily. You pass the historic Ebrington site, St Columb's Park with its medieval ruins and woodland, with river views across to Donegal. For a longer ride, the Foyle Valley Greenway gives you a 5km purpose-built traffic-free path along the riverbank from Craigavon Bridge towards the border. Beyond that 5km it joins quiet country roads, so keep younger children on the segregated riverside section.

Free greenways Traffic-free Flat Smooth surface Bike hire Buggy-friendly
Good to know before you go:

Greenways host seasonal sportives, family cycle days and ranger events through the year; check listings for 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
Greenways free to use; bike hire from Cycle Derry charged separately
Start / parking
Peace Bridge / Ebrington Square for the Waterside Greenway; Craigavon Bridge for the Foyle Valley Greenway. City-centre parking nearby.
Distance
Waterside Greenway approx 2.7km; Foyle Valley Greenway 5km of purpose-built traffic-free path (then quiet roads)
Surface
Smooth, sealed, accessible-for-all path
Gradient
Flat to gently undulating, relatively level riverside
Traffic-free?
Yes on the riverside greenways; Foyle Valley joins quiet country roads beyond 5km
Bike hire
Yes - Cycle Derry, 20C Ballinska Road, BT48 0NA. Helmet with every bike, plus baskets and baby seats.
Buggy / scooter friendly
Yes - paths are wide, smooth and built for buggies and wheelchairs
Toilets / food
Cafes and facilities in the city centre near the Peace Bridge and Ebrington
How long to allow
1.5 to 3 hours for an easy family ride
Address
Peace Bridge, Derry/Londonderry BT48; bike hire at 20C Ballinska Road, Derry BT48 0NA
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Greenways free to use; bike hire from Cycle Derry charged separately
How long is the route?
Waterside Greenway approx 2.7km; Foyle Valley Greenway 5km of purpose-built traffic-free path (then quiet roads)
Is it traffic-free?
Yes on the riverside greenways; Foyle Valley joins quiet country roads beyond 5km
Can I hire a bike?
Yes - Cycle Derry, 20C Ballinska Road, BT48 0NA. Helmet with every bike, plus baskets and baby seats.
Is it buggy and scooter friendly?
Yes - paths are wide, smooth and built for buggies and wheelchairs
Getting there

Cycle Derry starts at Peace Bridge / Ebrington Square for the Waterside Greenway; Craigavon Bridge for the Foyle Valley Greenway. City-centre parking nearby.. 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 DerrySee what else is close by More greenways & trails across NITraffic-free routes to walk and cycle
The story

About this trail

Derry's riverside greenways follow the line of the old railways that once ran along the Foyle. The Foyle Valley Greenway traces the former Great Northern Railway south from Craigavon Bridge, and was the first official cross-border greenway built on the island of Ireland, linking the city towards Lifford and Strabane.

The Waterside Greenway is a newer addition, opened up by Sustrans and the council along the eastern bank. It starts at the Peace Bridge, the 235m foot-and-cycle bridge that opened in 2011 to connect the two sides of the city, and runs past the old Ebrington barracks and St Columb's Park before the Strathfoyle extension carries it on towards Foyle Bridge.

Together these paths give families a flat, safe way to follow the Foyle without traffic, with Cycle Derry on hand to put the whole family on bikes.