The best road cycling routes around Lisnalee

There are over 130 road cycling routes available around Lisnalee, offering a wide variety of options for different skill levels and preferences. The komoot community has explored these routes over 1600 times.

Road cycling around Lisnalee offers a diverse landscape. You'll encounter rolling hills and the distinctive drumlin landscape of County Monaghan, alongside the picturesque orchards and woodlands of County Armagh. Routes often feature a mix of gentle gradients and more challenging ascents, with scenic views of numerous lakes and waterways.

While many routes are moderate, there are options suitable for beginners and families. For instance, routes that follow the historic Newry Canal, like the Newry Canal Path – Newry Canal Towpath loop from Bessbrook, offer a relatively flat and scenic ride. The Ulster Canal Trail/Greenway in County Monaghan also provides easy, family-friendly sections.

For those seeking a challenge, the region offers routes with significant climbs. The Climb by Rostrevor Forest – Warrenpoint Shore Road loop from Newry is a longer route with considerable elevation gain, leading through forest areas and along the shore. The Sliabh Beagh area in County Monaghan also features routes known for their challenging climbs and panoramic views.

Many routes offer scenic views and pass by notable attractions. You might cycle alongside the Newry Canal Towpath, or pass by natural features like Camlough Lake. The area also features historical sites such as Gosford Castle and the Red Deer Enclosure within Gosford Forest Park.

Yes, many of the road cycling routes around Lisnalee are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Examples include the popular Gosford Park loop from Newry and the Basecamp Coffee – Strandfield Coffee Shop loop from Newry, which are both circular and offer varied scenery.

The spring and summer months are generally ideal for road cycling around Lisnalee, when the weather is milder and the region's orchards are in bloom. Autumn also offers beautiful scenery with changing foliage. While winter cycling is possible, be prepared for colder temperatures and potentially wet conditions.

Yes, some routes are designed with refreshment stops in mind. For example, the Basecamp Coffee – Strandfield Coffee Shop loop from Newry explicitly includes coffee shops, indicating that you can find places to refuel along certain routes, especially those passing through towns or villages.

The road cycling routes around Lisnalee are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.3 stars. Cyclists often praise the varied terrain, from the quiet, scenic roads through orchards and woodlands to the challenging climbs in the drumlin landscape, and the beautiful lake views.

Yes, sections of established long-distance cycle trails can be accessed from the Lisnalee area. The Ulster Canal Trail/Greenway, a 77km linear route, passes through County Monaghan, offering an accessible path for cyclists. Additionally, parts of the Kingfisher Cycle Trail, known for its lakeland scenery, are found in Monaghan on minor country roads.

The region offers numerous scenic viewpoints, particularly from higher elevations in the drumlin landscape of County Monaghan and the hills of the Ring of Gullion in County Armagh. Routes like the Fairy Glen – Warrenpoint Shore Road loop from Newry and those around Lough Neagh and Lough Muckno provide picturesque vistas of lakes, forests, and rolling countryside.