The best road cycling routes around Ballybay-Clones Municipal District

A beautiful riverside town, Belturbet is a delight to explore. Popular with boaters and golfers, the surrounding area also has some pretty walking trails too. There are several bars and restaurants for post hike refreshment.

Home to a Anglo-Norman motte and bailey castle, Turbet Island occupies a strategic position on the River Erne. Today, it's a nature reserve in the pretty riverside town of Belturbet. The river here is inhabited by several protected bird species, including the whooper swan and the Greenland white-fronted goose.

Navan Fort, also known as Emain Macha, is one of those places that literally breathes history. As a cyclist, you can feel a breath of the past here as you roll gently over the grassy hills. The site, rich in Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age finds, is not only archaeologically fascinating, but also firmly embedded in Irish mythology. The kings of Ulster are said to have ruled here, and the legends of Macha, the namesake, are omnipresent. The gentle climbs around the fort are not too demanding, but give you space to let your gaze wander over the green hills - particularly dramatic when dark clouds pile up in the sky and cast a mystical atmosphere over the landscape. A detour to the visitor center is worthwhile: Here you can find out more about the exciting stories and the excavations that provide insight into Ireland's deepest past.

The Caledon Beam Engine is an exciting relic from another era that will accompany you on your tour through the Northern Ireland countryside. Nestled in the remains of an old wool mill, the beam engine tells of an era when the pounding and banging of machines shaped everyday life. Today it stands almost forgotten by the roadside and is a reminder of the region's industrial past. The ruin has its own charm - rusty gears, weathered walls and a feeling of time standing still. If you want to pause for a moment to take in the surroundings, this is an ideal place to dismount for a moment. This is not about perfectly restored monuments, but about the raw charm and stories that such places carry. Look out for the old inscriptions and the signs of decay that give the Beam Engine an almost sculptural appearance. This place is a silent witness to a time long gone and offers you a welcome change from the wide fields and winding roads of the region.

Trail short-cut on the south side of the town through a small park by the lake.

The lake represent an historic reminder of the many settlements once stood along the Cabra river and their remains are dotted around this park.

Magical forest trails along the Cabra Estate known today as Dun a Ri Forest Park. Surrounded by pine trees and broad leaf forest, this amazing park set around the Cabra river is ready to be explored.

An impressive and peaceful lough, perfect for having a picnic or a quick rest stop.