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Trail OverviewThis 20km trail is a superb flat water venue for canoeing enthusiasts of all abilities. From the head of the trail at Maydown Bridge the river meanders lazily through the countryside acting as the boundary line between the counties of Armagh and Tyrone. Approximately halfway down the trail, situated on the banks of the river, you will find the Argory - one of the National Trust’s beautifully kept properties – the grounds and house of which are well worth a visit. The river comes to an end at Maghery Country Park, where it flows gently into Lough Neagh creating a breath taking view on a fine summer’s day. From here your options are endless! Lough Neagh is Europe’s largest inland Lake spanning 90 miles in circumference. It is possible to paddle all the way to the Irish Sea via the Lower Bann (grade 2 with weirs) situated at the North East end of the Lough. Coney Island which is situated in the south west corner of Lough Neagh about 1.1km from Maghery Country Park, is steeped in history with its motte and ancient round tower. Rough camping is permitted on the island. Lough Neagh can be a serious undertaking as large waves build on the vast expanse of water during windy periods. The Lough is an ideal venue for the experienced open water paddler. For those wishing to paddle from Maydown Bridge to Blackwater Town please note that due to its fast-flowing water and narrow channel, a reasonable skill level is required to complete this section of the trail. It is not suitable for novice paddlers without qualified instruction, and paddlers should be aware of the numerous over-hanging tree branches. Also after prolonged periods of dry weather this section can dry out, and is therefore not navigable at such times. For those who wish to know more about the area, there is onshore interpretation at points marked 1- 9 on the map. A condensed version of the information is provided in this guide. This guide has been designed for canoeists by canoeists. It gives practical advice on everything required for an enjoyable experience including details of campsites, water points, phone numbers etc. Happy Paddling!
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