These 9 cycling routes in Ireland redefined how I do my leg day!
Despite my lean frame, I’m actually kind of a health buff. I go to the gym regularly and keep a semi-active lifestyle. But besides working out, I didn’t care for other types of exercise. Especially that stationary bike? For some reason, that looked boring to me.
Yet, I had to reconsider when I got invited to a biking trail. And look, I didn’t want to shrug my friend off. But honestly, I was just all about lifting weights with familiar indoor equipment. Still, she urged me to try some cycling routes in Belfast.
And what do you know—they’ve got the most beautiful views, freshest air, and handiest stops! Just like that, I became a bike person who can’t stop. Check out these trails below if you want to expand your exercise options as well.
1. Comber Greenway
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Website: https://walkni.com/walks/comber-greenway/
Address: starts at Dee Street near CS Lewis Square and ends at Comber town square, County Down (runs along the old Belfast-Comber railway line)
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7 mi or 11 km (one way)
Estimated Ride Time: 30 to 45 minutes (one way at a leisurely pace)
Fees:
- Free cycling
If you’re a beginner to cycling in Belfast, Comber Greenway is one of the best routes to try, with its smooth, tarmac path. It’s also fully off-road, but relatively easy for families and casual riders since it’s flat.
This trail is popular among joggers and runners too! What’s more is there are picnic areas, benches, and viewpoints along the route to make stops more convenient.
| Pro tips: While Comber Greenway has some lovely cafes and bakeries at its end, it’s best to pack your own snacks if you’re planning a picnic later. I suggest bringing a bike bell for safety too! This trail is a mixed-use path, making you pass by walkers and runners. |
2. Connswater Greenway
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Website: https://www.walkni.com/walks/connswater-community-greenway/
Address: Conn’s Water, Connswater Shopping Centre, Bloomfield Ave (runs from Victoria Park through East Belfast to Dundonald, connecting with the Comber Greenway)
Contact Details: +44 28 9046 7925
Opening Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: Around 5.5 mi or 9 km (one way)
Estimated Ride Time: 25 to 45 minutes (depending on the pace)
Fees:
- Free cycling
Want that picturesque riverside vibe? Connswater Greenway is the cycling trail to take, as it follows the Connswater and Loop Rivers. You’ll see loads of greenery because it passes several parks, such as Victoria, Orangefield, Flora, and C.S. Lewis Square.
On top of that, it’s ideal for observing urban wildlife—a few graceful swans and long-billed herons ahead! The area can also be your chance to appreciate art, since there are colourful murals and sculptures around.
| Useful hacks: Start your Connswater Greenway cycling journey at Victoria Park! This way, you can have a longer, more scenic ride throughout your day. If you’re a foodie, plan to stop at Ballyhackamore! It has some nice bakeries and cafes along the route. |
3. Lagan Tow Path
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Website: https://walkni.com/walks/lagan-towpath/
Address: Stranmillis Embankment (route follows the River Lagan from Belfast city (Stranmillis) to Lisburn, with riverside paths)
Opening Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 11 mi or 18 km (one way)
Estimated Ride Time: 60 to 90 minutes (one way at a steady pace)
Fees:
- Free cycling
Want a bit of a challenge? Lagan Tow Path is generally a flat Belfast cycling trail, but it also offers a mix of compact gravel and tarmac with narrow off-road sections—a tad longer for casual riders.
You’ll also find several coffee stops here, with Lock Keeper’s Inn, Cutters Wharf, and Lisburn cafes. When nature calls, there are toilets at Lock Keeper’s Inn too.
| Good to know: It’s smart to wear or bring a light jacket to Lagan Tow Path since some riverside sections are breezier than others. Since this trail links Belfast city to Lisburn (entirely off-road), why not consider a loop ride and cycle out to the latter? If it’s exhausting to return, you can also come back by train. |
4. Lagan Meadows
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Website: https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/Things-to-Do/Parks-and-Open-Spaces/A-Z-Parks/Lagan-Meadows
Location: South Belfast – Enter through Knightsbridge Park or Sharman Road
Contact Details: [email protected]
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 7:30 AM onwards (closing times change as daylight lengthens or shortens)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 2 to 3 mi or 3 to 5 km of internal paths
Estimated Ride Time: 20 to 40 minutes (depending on loops and pace)
Fees:
- Free entry
- Lagan Valley Cycling Club Annual Membership – £20
Think some bumps are essential for your biking experience? Lagan Meadows’ cycling paths in Belfast consist of grass tracks, gravel paths, and a few off-road trails to help you become a better biker. There are wildflower meadows and wildlife too!
With this kind of route, using a mountain bike, hybrid bike, or e-bike would be ideal. Road bikes aren’t ideal since their narrow tires won’t do well on gravel and grass. Kids’ bikes are fine—but only if you’re going for a short family ride.
Do note that you won’t find cafes or toilets here. As an alternative, you can go to Stranmillis and Malone Road nearby for these amenities.
| Insider scoop: The birds flock to Lagan Meadows during these seasons, so you might as well bring binoculars if you’re into birdwatching! A good camera would also be fun to use if you want to try photographing nature. |
5. Cave Hill Country Park
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Website: http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/leisure/parks-openspaces/Park-6622.aspx
Address: Cave Hill, Antrim Road / Innisfayle Park Junction (other access points are Belfast Castle grounds and Hightown Road car park)
Contact Details: +44 28 9077 6925, +44 28 9031 9629, [email protected]
Opening Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Distance: Approx. 4 to 5 mi or 6 to 8 km of trails, with longer loops possible
Estimated Ride Time: 45 to 90 minutes (depending on chosen route and fitness)
Fees:
- Free cycling
Cave Hill Country Park has a cycling path most tourists (and even locals) would want: 360-degree views over Belfast, Belfast Lough, and beyond!
This trail also features the iconic Napoleon’s Nose cliff formation—you get to judge if it really does resemble the French emperor Napoleon’s profile. Moreover, there are a bunch of meadows and woodlands to appreciate.
You’ll need a proper mountain bike for this, though. The rocky descents aren’t exactly beginner-friendly.
| Expert advice: Don’t forget to pack water and snacks for Cave Hill Country Park! There are no food stops here once you’re inside, so it helps to be prepared. |
6. Barnett Demesne Mountain Bike (MTB) Trails
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Website: https://mountainbikeni.com/trail-centres/barnett-demesne/
Address: Malone House Car Park, Malone Road, Belfast, County Antrim
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Distance: Approx. 7.5 mi or 12 km (includes a mix of blue/intermediate and red/advanced routes)
Estimated Ride Time: 45 to 90 minutes (depending on fitness and chosen trail)
Fees:
- Free cycling
- Car Parking – €3
- Season Pass for Parking (unlimited for 1 month) – €10 per month
Opened in 2013, Barnett Demesne Mountain Bike Trails is the first purpose-built mountain bike route in Belfast. So if you’re pretty serious about going cycling, this is among the biking paths worth exploring.
It’s got many technical features too! There are jumps, drops, and flowing descents, as well as rock gardens and berms (banked turns built into the trail corners). There are also meadows and woodlands around, giving off a forest adventure vibe.
| Safety advice: I highly recommend avoiding Barnett Demesne after heavy rain. Some sections can get pretty muddy and more technical, so it’s just best not to risk it. |
7. Belvoir Park Forest
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Website: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/belvoir-park-forest
Address: Belvoir Dr (with additional access from Milltown Road and via connecting trails from Barnett Demesne)
Contact Details: +44 28 6634 3165
Opening Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: Approx. 3 to 5 mi or 5 to 8 km of internal trails
Estimated Ride Time: 30 to 60 minutes (depending on chosen loops and pace)
Fees:
- Free cycling
Belvoir Park Forest is a good cycling spot in Belfast since this route is mainly flat, but there are still some uneven off-road terrains to keep things interesting.
This trail also provides an urban woodland retreat not too far from Belfast city centre, making it an accessible choice. Plus, you’re likely to see birds, red squirrels, and deer, so try to be careful on the road.
Just so you know, seasoned riders also frequent this path since it links directly with the Lagan Towpath and Barnett Demesne MTB Trails.
| Smart pointers: Bring wider tires with you to Belvoir Park Forest! Some paths can be muddy (and rooty) after heavy rain, so you might need to change yours for safety. For first-time riders, I suggest using a GPS app (or carrying a map) since the trail network can seem confusing or feel maze-like. |
8. Black Mountain
– Media credit: cycleandscone
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/divis-and-the-black-mountain
Address: Divis Rd, Hannahstown
Opening Hours:
- Open 24 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Distance: 3 to 7 mi or 5 to 11 km (depending on trail loops)
Estimated Ride Time: 45 to 90 minutes (depending on pace and chosen routes)
Fees:
- Free cycling
Black Mountain is a great biking trail for those who are serious about getting their workout. It’s got exposed upland terrain and steady climbs that require some decent skills and stamina, like those of a hiker.
It also shows panoramic sights of Belfast and Lough Neagh. If you’re lucky, you can even see Scotland or Wales on a fine day (without all the fog)!
Do keep your eyes open for some wildlife, like Irish hares, skylarks (streaky-brown birds), and kestrels (medium-sized falcon birds).
| Expert tip: Slightly lower your tire pressure at Black Mountain for better grip on rocky ground and gravel. If you’re unsure, it’s smart to call a cycling expert for best practices before a challenging ride. |
9. Mary Peters Track
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Website: https://www.marypeterstrack.com/
Address: Upper Malone Road
Contact Details: +44 28 9060 0870, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 10 AM to 4:30 PM
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 400 m athletics oval (with surrounding access roads and green spaces offering short loops of 1 to 2 km)
Estimated Ride Time: 15 to 45 minutes
Fees:
- Need to reach out
Looking for only a short cycling track in Belfast? Mary Peters Track offers bikers a breezy time with its safe, enclosed space. Many who come here have practically no experience cycling—it’s never too late to try.
It also provides access to wider Lagan Valley paths if you’re having fun and want a longer spin. Moreover, you’ll get to enjoy lovely woodlands and rolling South Belfast hills that are perfect for scenic backdrops.
| Fun ideas: Bring the kids to Mary Peters Track! It’s flat and safe, as well as visible at dusk, making it very family-friendly. Not to mention, dogs are welcome here! Just be sure to keep them leashed and away from other cyclers. |