Benburb Valley Park
Explore and enjoy stunning natural and built heritage within Benburb Valley Park through walks along the Blackwater River. The river has carved out a beautiful gorge through the countryside and is an ideal location for walking.
County Tyrone
Distance 4.1 miles
OS Map Sheet 19
Terrain Woodland and riverside paths
Nearest Town Benburb
Route Shape Circular
Grid Reference H816521
Route Type Parkland & Grassland, Riverside, Woodland
Make your way to the front of the main Priory building, before heading downhill along the path towards Benburb Castle and the River Blackwater. A Bluebell Walk has recently been developed on site and this can be enjoyed if you bear right before reaching the Castle. Descend down to the River Blackwater, crossing the river using the charming white metal bridge. The River is popular with anglers and canoeists. Enjoy the network of paths on the southern side of the river before returning to make your way back up to the Priory Building.
River Blackwater, Benburb Priory, Benburb Castle
If travelling to Benburb Valley Park from the east, continue travel westwards along the M1 until the motorway ends and becomes the A4. Take the 1st exit onto the Mullybrannon Road. Turn left onto the B130 when the Mullybrannon Road ends. Turn left onto Mainstreet Benburb at the end of the B130. Benburb Priory is on your right 300m along Main Street.
If travelling to Benburb Valley Park from the west, leave the A4 close to Dungannon, following signs for Benburb (B130). Turn left onto Mainstreet Benburb at the end of the B130. Benburb Priory is on your right 300m along Main Street.
Translink – journeyplanner.translink.co.uk
Dogs not allowed on Priory grounds. Permitted south of the river from Maydown Bridge car park, west to Blackstokes Bridge.
Car parking available, toilets available in the Priory.
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.
Comments will be reviewed and those that cause offence will be removed. This is at the discretion of WalkNI.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy the walking routes listed on WalkNI safely and easily.
If you have come across any problems whilst walking a route, please let us so we can pass on any issues to the appropriate management body responsible for maintaining the walk.
Walk Route
Benburb Valley Park
You can either start at the priory in the village and snake your way down to the charming bridge over the Blackwater or use the carpark at the trail start. Decent path along the river. Yes, it isn’t formally signed but you,ll work it out. There are private homes about a third the way along but it’s easy enough to get around them on the trail. Charming little excursions possible to the rivers edge near the rapids possible but probably not for small kids and a high point trail at the bend in the river not long after the start. Interesting features along the way include the old canal and an old quarry with a lake. It was here I found my first ever sightings of the really unusual Bright red scarlet elfcup fungi! A very pleasant outing that is long enough to clear the head for an hour.
Nice walk. Badly marked out with lots of little trails leading off everywhere. Ended up walking along one part 3 times before I’d done the whole park. But very pretty especially on a lovely sunny day like today.