The Lakelands
Wheeling.. Clamourous.. Unwearied still.. Companionable.. Hearts have not grown old...Wander where they will.. Delight men’s eyes”
These words from the poem, Wild Swans at Coole by Yeats capture some of the joys of biking: the freedom and friendship, the noise, the mechanical beauty. These rides take you to places where Yeats, Wilde and Beckett walked. They will challenge and excite you and make the most of your biking skills.
Ride 1- Lough Navar (out and back 70 miles) (green on map)
Enniskillen-Derrygonnelly-Lough Navar Forest Drive-Belleek-Enniskillen (70 miles)
Leave Enniskillen on the A46 towards (Belleek) and branch off left on the B81 to Derrygonnelly. Great biking road with one reservation – watch out for manholes on corners. For spectacular views over much of the Lakelands ride the Lough Navar Forest Drive as signposted from Derrygonnelly. This one way anticlockwise route, mostly well surfaced, will keep you in 2nd or 3rd gear, has many sweet corners and parking at the viewpoint and picnic site. You’ll not be breaking speed limits here – stopping to snap and stare is more likely.
Exiting the forest road, turn right and follow the direction Belleek for a scenic drop to the A46 along the lakeside to Enniskillen – many lovely corners, some tight.
Allow at least 2 hours for the round trip and don’t be surprised if you take a lot longer. Some bikers repeat it or do it in the other direction.
Ride 2 Carry Bridge Loop (37 miles) (red on map)
Enniskillen-Tamlaght-Lisnaskea-Derrylin-Carrybridge-Enniskillen
Do not try to count the corners on the B514 towards Lisnaskea. There are too many. And you’ll need all your concentration to ride them well. You’ll get a second chance on the way back.
Leave Enniskillen on the A4(Belfast) road. After Tamlaght turn right on to the B514 to Lisnaskea. This is a road to savour. Once in Lisnaskea, take the B127 to Derrylin to ride over the Lady Craigavon Bridge and on to a T junction with the A509 Belturbet to Enniskillen road. Go right. 5 miles later, see a signpost to Carrybridge. Turn right on to this B road and follow the directions to Carrybridge. Now follow Enniskillen. Soon you join the B514 for another chance to not-count-the-corners as you twist and turn your way back to town.
Ride 3 Tyrone and Back (50 miles) (blue on map)
Enniskillen-Fivemiletown-Fintona-Tempo-Lisbellaw-Enniskillen
Take the A4(Belfast) road out of Enniskillen to Fivemiletown. Turn left on to the B122 to Fintona(pronounced fintna) and back through Tempo and Lisbellaw to Enniskillen.
