Exploring the Lough Neagh Canoe Trail.

IT is hoped a new canoe trail on Lough Neagh will encourage tourists to visit the vast expanse of water with a shoreline which passes close to Crumlin, Glenavy, Ballinderry and Aghalee.

The Trail will be launched on Wednesday (April 30) and will enable canoeists to explore numerous bays and inlets as well as observe a wide diversity of wildlife and historical sites.

Circumnavigating the Lough, the Trail offers a range of access points on the mainland and on both Coney and Rams Island.

It is suitable for canoeists of all abilities. Experts can utilise the official Canoe Trail Guide - a comprehensive waterproof guide containing information on the seven designated access points and useful content on topics such as wildlife, flora and fauna and camping.

Beginners can take to the water for the first time by choosing from a wide variety of canoeing providers offering a range of instruction, guided tours and canoe hire.

All the information contained in the Canoe Trail Guide is also available in an interactive format on www.canoeni.com.

Lough Neagh was historically a major economic hub transporting linen, timber, coal and live stock.

It is now a major canoeing and tourism hub as the Trail links the existing Blackwater Canoe Trail (launched in November 2007) flowing into the Lough and the Lower Bann Canoe Trail (launched February 2008) flowing out of the Lough.

In the future the proposed reopening of the Ulster Canal may link canoeists to the Lough Erne Canoe Trail (launched in May 2005).

The Strangford Lough Canoe Trail will complete the suite with a launch in late June.

Ulster Star
13/06/2008