Top 4 Lakes around Ballynasollus

Several lakes in the area are great for families. Moor Lough offers beaches and a segregated paddleboarding area, making it ideal for a fun day out. Oak Lough also provides a footpath through heathland and wildflowers, along with a picnic area, perfect for a leisurely stroll with children. New Lough features a picturesque footpath around its still waters, offering beautiful views for a family walk.

For a peaceful walk, Oak Lough in the heart of the Sperrins countryside offers a footpath through heathland and wildflowers. Similarly, New Lough provides a tranquil footpath with scenes of still waters and the stunning Sperrins landscape. Ballysaggart Lough, also known as Black Lough, near Dungannon, is another peaceful option with short walking paths and benches for relaxation.

Yes, fishing is a popular activity. Moor Lough is a well-known spot for fishing, with a gravel track around its edge offering great views. Ballysaggart Lough is also recognized for coarse fishing, particularly near the deeper water by the sluice at its northern end, supporting species like pike, perch, and tench.

The lakes in County Tyrone are rich in biodiversity. Ballysaggart Lough is noted for over 100 bird species, including endangered ones like the Eurasian curlew, and various fish. Derrycloony Lough, an Area of Special Scientific Interest, boasts diverse aquatic plants and a rich invertebrate community, including the rare beetle Laccornis oblongus. Lough Neagh, being vast, supports many rare species of plants, insects, waterfowl, birds, and fish, including the famous Lough Neagh eel.

Derrycloony Lough, located east of Augher, is designated as an Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) due to its diverse habitats. It features open waters with aquatic plants like white and yellow water-lilies, and a swamp fringed by common reed and fen vegetation, supporting a rich invertebrate community. Ballysaggart Lough also has recognized biodiversity, with numerous bird and fish species.

Lough Neagh, the largest lake in Ireland, offers extensive opportunities for water-based activities. You can enjoy paddleboarding, wind-surfing, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and water-skiing. Its shores also feature scenic walking and cycling paths, and locations like Ballyronan Marina offer boat trips and a blue flag beach.

Yes, there are several cycling routes in the vicinity. For road cycling, you can explore routes like the 'Donemana to Derry loop' or the 'Sperrins Route 3 - Struel Valley Cycle Route'. For touring, options include 'Park & Barnes Gap loop from Plumbridge' or 'Gortin Glen Lakes – Dunbreen Road loop from Gortin'. You can find more details on these routes in the Road Cycling Routes around Ballynasollus and Cycling around Ballynasollus guides.

Absolutely. You can find running trails such as the 'Gortin & Gortin Glen Lakes running loop' or the 'Moor Lough – Moor Lough loop from Altishane'. These routes offer varying distances and difficulties. For more options, check out the Running Trails around Ballynasollus guide.

Moor Lough is well-equipped for visitors. It features several beaches and a segregated paddleboarding area. While public toilets were previously available, they are no longer at this specific spot. It's a popular place for fishing and picnicking.

Yes, car parking is available at Oak Lough, making it convenient for visitors to access the footpath and picnic area.

Beyond its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, Lough Neagh holds significant cultural importance. It is a crucial source of drinking water for Northern Ireland, supplying 40.7% of the region's needs. The lough is also steeped in local legends and surrounded by historical sites, reflecting its deep connection to the local communities and their heritage.

Many of the lakes offer excellent viewpoints. Moor Lough is itself a viewpoint situated in the Sperrins Area of Natural Beauty. Oak Lough provides views of the surrounding rolling hills from its footpath, and New Lough offers stunning scenes of the Sperrins landscape around its still waters.