Loop 168B
Trailhead: Battlebridge Lock, near Leitrim Village, Co Leitrim
Services: Leitrim Village (1km) and Drumshanbo (7km)
Dist/Time: 10km / 2hr30min – 3hrs
Difficulty: Easy
High/Ascent: 50m/20m
Terrain: Minor roads, canal banks.
To Suit: Average levels of fitness
Min. Gear: Trekking shoes, raingear, fluid, snack, and mobile phone.
Loop Guiding
A-B. Start from the mapboard at Battlebridge Lock follow the purple and red arrows for 100m to reach the tarred road. [The red arrows are for the shorter Drumleague Lock Loop]. Continue
STRAIGHT and the roadway (L7381) along the right bank of the canal.
B-C. Continue to follow the purple and red arrows along this minor road for approx 2.5km to reach Drumleague Lock and Bridge. The Drumleague Lock Loop (red arrows) turns left here
– but you CONTINUE STRAIGHT, pass through the parking area at the lock and rejoin the right side of the canal.
C-D. Now follow the purple arrows as the loop takes you along this grassy canal bank for 2.5km to reach a tarred road (the R280). Join the road, TURN LEFT, cross the bridge, and TURN LEFT again to join a minor road (the L7380).
D-E. Follow this minor road for approx 150m to reach an access path to the canal on your left. Join the canal bank here and continue to follow the purple arrows as the loop follows the canal bank for 2km to reach Drumleague Lock again. CONTINUE STRAIGHT across the roadway as you rejoin the Drumleague Lock Loop (red arrows) and rejoin the canal bank.
E-A. Now follow the purple and red arrows as the loop takes you along this grassy canal bank for 2.5km to reach the tarred road again at Battlebridge. Exit with care, TURN LEFT, cross the bridge and TURN RIGHT towards Battlebridge Lock and the trailhead.
Directions to Trailhead
– From the town of Carrick-on-Shannon take the R280, following the signs for Leitrim and Keadew.
– After approx 7km you reach Leitrim Village. As you exit the village watch for the left turn to Keadew (R284). TURN LEFT here.
– After nearly 1km turn watch for a stone bridge which crosses the canal. TURN LEFT just before it and travel 100m to reach Battlebridge Lock.
The trailhead is located at the mapboard here.
Download the map here
