Medium Cycles
The Giro d’Italia Route: Keady to Forkhill (24 miles)
| Start grid reference | End grid reference | Terrain | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| H 843 340 | J 015 158 | Some relatively demanding hill sections. Well surfaced tarmac roads | Start at Keady library |
Description:
Start at Keady library and follow the A29 towards the Fews Forest for 8km continuing along for another 3.6km before reaching Newtownhamilton. The views from the Fews Forest down over the Ring of Gullion are spectecular on a clear day.
Entering Newtownhamilton take a left, right, left onto the A25 towards Belleek. Continue through Belleek passing the Shaughan and Barr Roads on your right before turing right onto the Mountain Road. Turn right onto the Crossmaglen Road and then turn left onto the Longfield road, following the signs for Slieve Gullion.
The Longfield Road takes you to Forkhill where you can stop and rest at one of the local pubs, live music every Tuesday or continue cycling on Slieve Gullion – some of the best cycling roads in the world – don’t take our word for it though – visit this blog.
Download the full route description and map here.
Crossmaglen (31 miles)
| Start grid reference | End grid reference | Terrain | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| H911151 | H911151 | Some relatively demanding hill sections. Well surfaced tarmac roads | Starts and finishes at O’Fiaich Square, Crossmaglen |
Description:
Starting at the Square in Crossmaglen the route follows a stretch of the B30 towards Creggan, with its famous graveyard. Turning right here you soon pass the magnificent chapel at Glasdrumman before continuing further south to Ballsmill. Here you turn left, cross the A29 and begin one of several climbs passing through one of the many gaps in the Ring of Gullion.
Take a while to enjoy the scenery at the top before dropping down and following a section of the Poet’s Trail cycle route into Mullaghbane. The Ti Chulainn Cultural and Activity Centre here is well worth a visit.
From Mullaghbane the route once again passes up through the hills which give cyclists a wonderful view of Slieve Gullion and the South Armagh, before descending into Silverbridge and turning right for Cullyhanna. From here the route is less demanding as it winds past many small loughs and drumlins where there are ample opportunities for a picnic before returning to Crossmaglen.