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Meadows & Moorlands
Cycling on the quiet country roads is an ideal way to explore Ballymoney and its surrounding villages.
The main cycle route links Ballymoney to the meadows and moorlands of North County Antrim. The area has a variety of raths, mottes and standing stones, testimony to an earlier age. The route is best travelled in an anti-clockwise direction as this gives the best views of the villages and Antrim plateau. The route mainly uses country lanes but care should be taken whilst crossing main roads and on the short sections of ‘B’ roads near Ballymoney. From Ballymoney town centre go east, crossing over the river and railway line, towards Dunaghy. From here the route turns south easterly and uses minor roads through rich farmland in the direction of Cloughmills. After a short climb the route descends towards Loughguile, passing the picturesque Lisanoure Estate with its lake and old castle set among beautiful woodland.
After Loughguile the route reaches its highest point at 185m where superb views can be had of the Maine and Bush river valleys as well as distant forests. The return journey affords pleasant views of the River Bush and passes near the picturesque village of Stranocum. On the remainder of the route keep a watchful eye for remnants of the former railway which ran between Ballycastle and Ballymoney.
Traffic: 2 Terrain: 2 Distance: 25 miles OSNI: 8