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The Expedition

A 25km expedition to the outer reaches of the network
Suggested routes highlighted in yellow.

Route details

Distance: 25km

Time: 2 hrs

Experience: Advanced

Surface: Varied through Carn and Mandeville

Bike parking: South Lakes & Rushmere

Traffic:Oxford Island, Carn Rd, Seagoe Rd

GPX file: View on Strava

This is an adventure to the outer limits of the Black Paths. Starting and finishing in Oxford Island on the shores of Lough Neagh. Follow the blue NCN 9 signpost into Craigavon via the lakes – then go anti-clockwise on the lesser used Black Paths toward Carn Industrial estate. The active travel route here has fallen into bad repair – but can still be navigated by the adventurous and those prepared to dismount and walk. From Carn industrial estate the route goes under the M12 toward Almac and through Seagoe industrial estate.

You join busy traffic at Seagoe Rd and Kernan Rd before re-joining the network again back towards Rushmere on NCN 9. A right will take you under the Mandeville Rd toward Knockmenagh with more broken surfaces toward Brownlow. Follow the route through Brownlow and north under Eastway past Portadown Rd and Silverwood estates. The route leads back to Oxford Island where there is a café and other facilities. This route would suit cyclists with more advanced experience of cycling in traffic.

Brownlow Loop

A 7km journey around Brownlow
Suggested routes highlighted in yellow.

Route details

Distance: 7km

Time: 20–30 mins

Experience: Beginner

Surface: Varied

Bike parking: South Lakes, Brownlow Hub

Traffic:Traffic free

GPX file: View on Strava

Starting and finish from the South Lakes Leisure Centre, this 7km route takes you on an anticlockwise route around the Brownlow area. Start by going over the A27 on the cycle bridge into Drumgor and further south to Moyraverty. Pass St. Brendan’s PS before heading north again under the Brownlow Road to Legahory and past Brownlow Hub and library.

From Tullgally the route goes toward the Lakes again, passing under the A27 this time via 2 underpasses. A left turn at the end will take you back to where you started.

Brownlow Plus

An 11km trip on all the Black Paths in Brownlow
Suggested routes highlighted in yellow.

Route details

Distance: 11km

Time: 45 mins

Experience: Beginner to Intermediate

Surface: Varied - rough in parts

Bike parking: South Lakes, Brownlow Hub

Traffic:Crosses road at Monbrief. Joins traffic briefly at Legahory.

GPX file: View on Strava

This is a 'fill your boots', twisting and turning trip – taking in most of the Black Paths in the Brownlow area. Starting and finishing from the South Lake – it goes under the A27 into Drumgor and then left over the "curly wurly" bridge on Drumgor Road. Heading south and then looping back past Brownlow Library and Hub. Then south again towards St. Brendan’s PS.
The route briefly crosses the Monbrief Rd. and rejoins the Black Paths to the rear of the Ardowen estate. North again through Monbrief and Tullygally and under the A27 into the city park. A sharp left takes the cycle bridge over the A27 this time into Legahory. The route joins traffic briefly before taking the Moylinn slipway back onto the Black Paths and back to the leisure centre via the Drumgor Bridge. This route would suit beginner/intermediate cyclists.

Station to Station

A 21km linear route involving a train trip
Suggested routes highlighted in yellow.

Route details

Distance: 21km

Time: 2hrs

Experience: Advanced

Surface: Generally good

Bike parking: Rushmere & train stations

Traffic:Involves traffic close to Portadown & Lurgan

GPX file: View on Strava

Time this trip on a weekend or a weekday after 9.30am - when bikes are free to carry on the train. You can start this route at either Portadown or Lurgan train station. You could drive and park up, or you may be lucky enough to be able to catch a train from where you live. Start at either end and get the train back/home. You'll have to negotiate traffic at either end of this route.
This cycle trip follows the "linear city" – with a sort of figure 8 in the middle, allowing you to explore more of the underpasses and bridges in the Brownlow area. The half-way point takes you past the South Lakes leisure centre, where you can stop for a break and a coffee before continuing on. This route would suit cyclists with more advanced experience of cycling in traffic. The train costs £3–4 between each station.

Lakes and Estates

A longer 11km loop exploring more of the network
Suggested routes highlighted in yellow.

Route details

Distance: 11km

Time: 30–45 mins

Experience: Beginner to Intermediate

Surface: Good – but uneven in parts

Bike parking: South Lakes, Rushmere, Brownlow Hub

Traffic:1 road crossing at Tesco

GPX file: View on Strava

The route starts at the South Lakes, and travels takes the bridge over Lakeview Rd, and round the side of Rushmere using the attached cycle lane. The huge span over Central Way drops down toward Tesco where you will have to use the crossing to reach the bridge to the rear of M&S. Take the bridge crossing the A27 and follow the paths into Drumgor and Legahory.
Passing the old leisure centre and Brownlow library. Head north again for a trip under Eastway and the railway line, around the North lake and back to the South lake leisure centre for a trip of almost 11km. This route would suit beginner/intermediate cyclists.

The Lakes

A short, flat 5km journey around both lakes
Suggested routes highlighted in yellow.

Route details

Distance: 5km

Time: approx 20 mins

Experience: Beginner

Surface: Good surface

Bike parking: To rear South Lakes leisure centre

Traffic:Traffic free

GPX file: View on Strava

Starting from the South Lakes Leisure Centre, this is a good warm up before selecting another routes and heading into the rest of the network. You can travel in either directions on wonderfully smooth tarmac. You'll pass under the Portadown–Lurgan railway line at 2 points on the trip, one through an underpass and the other where the South lake drains into the North.
Half-way around the top lake you can take a quick detour into Tannaghmore Gardens and Farm - there's also a play-park if you're with children. Back again toward the Leisure Centre where there's a café and other facilities. You might want to load up another route at this stage and go exploring further into the Black Paths.

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