Things to see or do
Amenities
- Nearest town: Kilkeel
- Distance: 28 miles
- OS map: 29
- Start Point: J305145
- Finish Point: J305145
- Terrain: Some slow climbs on this route.
- Point of interest: Stone Walls through Mourne Mountains Silent Valley Reservoir Attical Chapel Carlingford Lough Former USAF Airbase
- Facilities: Toilet facilities and refreshments are available at the start point.
- Accessibility information: The route is on tarmac roads. Please contact Armagh and Down Tourist Information for more details.
- Accessible toilet facilities: Yes
- Publication: Armagh and Down Cycling Leaflet
- Publication availability: www.armaghanddown.com Sustrans Shop
- Mobile narrative: Leaving Kilkeel by the Mill and Aughnahoory Roads you slowly climb past the restored clachan ...
Kilkeel Cycle Route
Down
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Northern Ireland
Leaving Kilkeel by the Mill and Aughnahoory Roads you slowly
climb past the restored clachan of Hanna’s Close and over the
Kilkeel River. After crossing the Brackenagh bridge a left
turn is made into Sabbath Road before continuing the slow
rise towards the Head Road where you turn left towards the
Silent Valley reservoir and associated parkland. From this
road cyclists have a magnificent view of the coastal plain,
the Irish Sea stretching towards the Isle of Man and the
backdrop of the Mourne Mountains. The mountains
continue to open up as you swing round the hills before
descending on the Attical Road into Attical Village, dominated
by its lovely chapel. From Attical, the route descends again,
crosses the main Newry road and reaches the shores of
Carlingford Lough at Greencastle Castle. Passing close to
the many caravan parks, you return to Kilkeel past the site
of a former USAF air base near Cranfield. Although 28 miles
in length this route can be divided by use of the
Carrigenagh Road which links the Silent Valley to Kilkeel.
Public roads: On Public Road
Getting to the start:
By Bike: National Route 99 traverses the Ards peninsula in Co Down, skirts the southern shores of Strangford Lough and down to Newcastle, Co Down.
By Car: From Belfast take the A24 south, signposted Carryduff. Continue on this road through Ballynahinch, Seaforde and Clough. Here the main road becomes the A2, the main road to Newcastle. Continue through Newcastle and follow the A2 to Kilkeel.
Traffic: Very little traffic on these quiet country roads
