The Lagan Towpath from Stranmillis to Lisburn

From Stranmillis Weir, the towpath follows the River Lagan south-west out of Belfast by Lagan Meadows to Shaw's Bridge, where the river leaves the city, and on through the Lagan Valley by the locks of the old Lagan Navigation to Lisburn, ending at the railway station.

It is 15.4 km one way with 58 m of ascent; allow about 4 hours. The grade is Moderate: flat and level on a surfaced towpath, shared with cyclists as part of National Cycle Network route 9, with a few steps and road crossings. The Department for Infrastructure describes the whole towpath as 11 miles from Stranmillis to Sprucefield; this line stops at Lisburn station.

The Department closes sections of the towpath for maintenance from time to time: it listed the stretch from McCleave's Lock and Blackstone Bridge to Shaw's Bridge from 27 July to 17 August 2026. Check its Lagan Towpath page before you go. Keep to the towpath, give way to cyclists and keep dogs under control.

Trains run between Lisburn and Belfast, so the walk can be done one way.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.