NORTHERN IRELAND
09 Scarva, County Armagh
Distance: 5.9 miles/9.5km | Time: 3.5 hours | Grade: Easy | Ascent: 35m (one way)
Running north to south through gentle Armagh countryside, the 20-mile Newry Canal struggles to recall the bustle of its days as an industrial artery. Such is the peace and richness of wildlife that it’s hard to imagine horse-drawn barges carrying coal from Lough Neagh and the Tyrone coalfields through Armagh to the Irish Sea.
The Newry Canal is one of the oldest canals in Britain and Ireland. Opened in 1742, it dominated freight transport in the region until challenged by railways in the 1850s, finally closing to traffic in 1949.
The canal section between Newry and Portadown has been left to gently decline, with the towpath incorporated into cycle and walking routes, including the new St Patrick’s Way pilgrimage route. This short section between Scarva and Gambles Bridge offers a perfect taste of history, countryside and some lovely wildlife.
1. START
Park by the canal and listen to the water sluicing through the rotted remains of lock gates. There is a pretty cottage on the far bank. The towpath runs along the western bank of the canal, flanked by railways and, on the east bank, the B3 road. Follow it south for three-quarters of a mile through pockets of woodland and open fields to the village of Scarva.
2. 0.9 MILES
Scarva has a visitor centre open at weekends and an excellent tea shop. The canal skirts the leafy edge of the village. The road on the eastern bank now pulls away from the canal and the way ahead is more peaceful, with open meadows either side. There are abundant flowering waterplants, including yellow flag irises, and you might be able to make out Dane’s Cast, a prehistoric defensive earthwork, on the far bank. A colony of rare tree sparrows inhabits the scrub along this section.
3. 2.1 MILES
After another half mile, spot tree-fringed Lough Shark, which feeds the canal. It also offers good pike fishing! Just past the Lough is the summit of the canal, where the water either flows north to Portadown, or south to Newry. Beyond Lough Shark, you may encounter dippers, kingfishers, herons and grey wagtails, a testament to the quality of the canal water.
4. 3.6 MILES
Like Scarva, Poyntz Pass is another port on the canal and, before the land was drained, the only point for crossing an extensive marshland in this wide valley. The canalsides are dominated by noisy rookeries, a feature of the more wooded stretch of canal ahead.
Between Poynts Pass and Gambles Bridge the towpath is accessible to cars, so keep a look out. There are some grand houses, lovely ruined bridges and attractive rugged hills. Glimpses of the Mourne Mountains appear to the south.
5. 5.9 MILES
Gambles Bridge, with its small car park, is your destination. Look out for the mighty rook city in the woods on the eastern bank.
USEFUL INFO
Starting point
To park, take the B3 north from Scarva, take the first left to Terryhoogan and park on the western side of the canal bridge. For a two-car adventure, park a second car at Gambles Bridge. Alternatively, the 63 bus can be caught from the A27 or at Poyntz Pass back to Scarva.
Terrain
Flat and easy – perfect for wheelchairs.
Map
OSNI Discovery Series 20 and 29
Stay
Heavenly B&B Blackwell House. 02838 832 752, blackwellhouse.co.uk
