Days Out NI
Greenway & cycle trail Portadown

Newry Canal Way (Portadown trailhead)

A free, flat towpath ride from Portadown towards Scarva and beyond.

6 photos
Open accessRide it any time — best in daylight
FreeNo ticket needed
PortadownGreenway & cycle trail
Get directionsOfficial website
20 milesDistance
2 hoursHow long
FreeCost
Firm, level t…Surface
Buggy okBest for

Newry Canal Way (Portadown trailhead) — A free, flat towpath ride from Portadown towards Scarva and beyond.

  • Distance: About 20 miles (32km) Portadown to Newry; roughly 8 miles to Scarva.
  • Surface: Firm, level towpath (around 90% off-road, 10% short minor-road links).
  • Gradient: Flat throughout, no notable climbs.
  • Traffic-free: Mostly traffic-free towpath; short sections on quiet minor roads.
  • Bike hire: Not available on site - bring your own.
  • Buggy / scooter: Yes on the firm towpath sections; mind the short on-road links.
Plan your visit

A flat towpath you can take at your own pace

The route stretches about 20 miles (32km) from Portadown to Newry, but it is linear, so most families pick a turnaround point and ride back. The surface is a firm, level towpath for roughly 90% of the way, with short links of around 10% on quiet minor roads where the towpath breaks. There are no real climbs anywhere on it. Scarva sits about 8 miles south of Portadown and makes a sensible there-and-back target; Poyntzpass and Gilford add further options. Along the way you pass canal locks, water meadows and the parallel railway line, with herons and swans on the water.

Free Flat 20 miles Mostly traffic-free Firm towpath Tearoom at Scarva
Good to know before you go:

Greenways like this host seasonal sportives, family cycle days and ranger-led events through the year. Check listings for dates before you set off.

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
Bann Bridge, Bridge Street, Portadown (parking by the bridge and behind Tesco); also Scarva Visitor Centre and Newry canal car parks
Distance
About 20 miles (32km) Portadown to Newry; roughly 8 miles to Scarva
Surface
Firm, level towpath (around 90% off-road, 10% short minor-road links)
Gradient
Flat throughout, no notable climbs
Traffic-free?
Mostly traffic-free towpath; short sections on quiet minor roads
Bike hire
Not available on site - bring your own
Buggy / scooter friendly
Yes on the firm towpath sections; mind the short on-road links
Toilets / food
Toilets and seasonal tearooms at Scarva Visitor Centre (Easter-Sept, closed Mon); refreshments at Poyntzpass and Gilford
How long to allow
2 hours for Portadown-Scarva return, or half a day with stops
Address
Bann Bridge, Bridge Street, Portadown, Co Armagh
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
How long is the route?
About 20 miles (32km) Portadown to Newry; roughly 8 miles to Scarva
Is it traffic-free?
Mostly traffic-free towpath; short sections on quiet minor roads
Can I hire a bike?
Not available on site - bring your own
Is it buggy and scooter friendly?
Yes on the firm towpath sections; mind the short on-road links
Getting there

Newry Canal Way (Portadown trailhead) starts at Bann Bridge, Bridge Street, Portadown (parking by the bridge and behind Tesco); also Scarva Visitor Centre and Newry canal car parks. 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 PortadownSee what else is close by More greenways & trails across NITraffic-free routes to walk and cycle
The story

About this trail

The Newry Canal opened in 1742 and was the first summit-level canal in Britain or Ireland, cutting inland from the sea to carry Tyrone coal across the country. It linked Lough Neagh to the sea at Carlingford Lough, climbing to its highest point of around 78ft above sea level near Poyntzpass.

Commercial traffic ended more than 60 years ago, and the old towpath has since been restored as a walking and cycling route. It now forms part of National Cycle Network Route 9, which connects Craigavon to Newry through Portadown and Scarva and is intended to eventually link Belfast with Dublin.