Ballymacran Bank
A spectacular level coastal walk along Lough Foyle (Northern Ireland’s biggest estuary) with great views of the hills of Inishowen and Binevenagh. A perfect place to observe the waders and wildfowl that visit Lough Foyle and to be thrilled by their evocative calls. The walk also boasts great views over Lough Foyle to Inishowen and is the perfect place to watch the various wildfowl who visit Lough Foyle.
County Londonderry
Distance 1.4 miles
OS Map 7
Terrain Rough track & sea wall
Nearest Town Ballykelly or Limavady
Route Shape Linear
Grid Reference C625281
Route Type Coastal
Carefully park up at the junction of road and track.
Walking along Ballymacran Bank by the shore of Lough Foyle, the walker can savour a backdrop of Binevenagh Mountain to the northeast and the famed hills of Donegal punctuating the Inishowen skyline to the west. Between which lies Lough Foyle, Northern Ireland’s biggest expanse of estuary, enlivened by the evocative primeval calls of waders and wildfowl.
The walk is linear, so return the way you came – don’t worry as the views are spectacular in both directions! The track is very obvious and runs between the sea wall and the “back pond”, a wide linear drain that collects water draining off the fields. The track forms a t-junction with Shore Avenue.
The track runs south 2km to the Burnfoot River where, just offshore, the wreck of a World War Two aircraft can still be seen at low water. In the other direction, the track runs northwards 2km to meet the River Roe with its remnant of estuarine salt marsh.
Spectacular views can be enjoyed from the sea wall but take care if climbing the grassy bank or walking along the top of the wall.
There is also an option to extend this walk please see the Lough Foyle Trail for more details.
Lough Foyle – Ramsar site & RSPB reserve, Natura 2000 site
Turn off the A2 at the roundabout just west of Limavady on to the B69 (towards Magilligan and Castlerock). After 2km, turn left on to B510 (Lomond Road). There is (January 2013) a large brown sign at the turn off indicating directions for “Carrowmore Activity Centre and Hostel”. Follow this road for 2km and turn right on to Carrowclare Road. After a few hundred metres, veer left at a sweeping right bend. This road is Shore Avenue and comes to an end near the sea wall. Take special care at the railway level crossing – stop, look, listen!
Park at the end of this road but please do not obstruct gates and entrances!
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Dogs must be kept under close control
Refreshments can be found in nearby Limavady, Ballykelly, Benone, and Magiliigan Point with toilets available in Limavady.
Grade 5
- There may not be a formalised path, and variable, single file trails are to be expected.
- Gradients and cross slope could be expected to be steep and not limited.
- Obstacles and surface breaks of greater than 75mm measured across the line of the path to be expected.
- Overhanging branches are possible. Passing places and rest areas may not be formalised or provided.
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Walk Route
Ballymacran Bank
Have walked this area three times recently (June/July 2020) and found it a fantastic place. Being coastal it can be breezy and the weather can be changeable. Very well maintained pathways and a wide variety of birds to see. Plenty of space to enable ‘social distancing’. I am sure we will be back many times in the future.
Enjoyed this walk with husband and teenage sons on 26 December – very peaceful, calm and invigorating.