Days Out NI
Greenway & cycle trail Belfast

Lagan Towpath

A free, flat, almost fully traffic-free riverside path the kids can ride for miles.

6 photos
Open accessRide it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
BelfastGreenway & cycle trail
Get directionsOfficial website
12.5 milesDistance
3 hoursHow long
FreeCost
TarmacSurface
Buggy okBest for

Lagan Towpath — A free, flat, almost fully traffic-free riverside path the kids can ride for miles.

  • Distance: About 12.5 miles (20km) Belfast to Lisburn; splits into short there-and-back sections.
  • Surface: Tarmac / asphalt almost the whole way.
  • Gradient: Flat throughout, following the river and canal.
  • Traffic-free: Yes, rated around 99% traffic-free; shared with walkers and other cyclists.
  • Bike hire: Not available on the towpath; bring your own.
  • Buggy / scooter: Yes, the tarmac surface suits buggies and scooters.
Plan your visit

Flat tarmac the whole way, river on one side

The towpath is around 12.5 miles end to end from Belfast to Lisburn, and Sustrans rate it 99% traffic-free with an almost entirely asphalt surface. There's no real climbing, since it follows the river and old canal line, so it's flat from start to finish. You'll pass mixed woodland, wetland and riverside meadows, the old locks, and the Giant's Ring ancient earthwork near Shaw's Bridge. Because it's shared with other cyclists and walkers, keep younger kids in to one side, but there are no roads to cross on the main stretches.

Free Traffic-free Flat Tarmac 12.5 miles Buggy-friendly
Good to know before you go:

Greenways host seasonal sportives, family cycle days and ranger events through Lagan Valley Regional Park; 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
Free
Start / parking
Stranmillis (Lockview Road car park by the boat clubs) or Shaw's Bridge car park, 300m from the House of Sport roundabout
Distance
About 12.5 miles (20km) Belfast to Lisburn; splits into short there-and-back sections
Surface
Tarmac / asphalt almost the whole way
Gradient
Flat throughout, following the river and canal
Traffic-free?
Yes, rated around 99% traffic-free; shared with walkers and other cyclists
Bike hire
Not available on the towpath; bring your own
Buggy / scooter friendly
Yes, the tarmac surface suits buggies and scooters
Toilets / food
Lock Keeper's Cottage (toilets + cafe), Malone House at Barnett Demesne (refreshments + toilets), cafe at Stranmillis
How long to allow
1.5 to 3 hours for a relaxed there-and-back with a stop
Address
Lagan Valley Regional Park, Lockview Road, Stranmillis, Belfast BT9 (Stranmillis trailhead)
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
How long is the route?
About 12.5 miles (20km) Belfast to Lisburn; splits into short there-and-back sections
Is it traffic-free?
Yes, rated around 99% traffic-free; shared with walkers and other cyclists
Can I hire a bike?
Not available on the towpath; bring your own
Is it buggy and scooter friendly?
Yes, the tarmac surface suits buggies and scooters
Getting there

Lagan Towpath starts at Stranmillis (Lockview Road car park by the boat clubs) or Shaw's Bridge car park, 300m from the House of Sport roundabout. 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 path follows the old Lagan Navigation, a canal system dating back to the late 18th century that linked Belfast with Lough Neagh. The towpath was the route along which horses once hauled barges, known locally as lighters, which is why the surface is so flat and even today.

It now forms part of National Cycle Network Route 9, running from central Belfast out through the Lagan Valley Regional Park to Lisburn. Along the way it passes the restored Lock Keeper's Cottage and the Giant's Ring, a Neolithic earthwork enclosing a megalithic tomb near Shaw's Bridge.