Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Hayes Island
Paddling Trail · Galway
Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Hayes Island is a 4.75 km beginner waymarked loop in Galway, starting near Portumna.
Note from the trail operator
Difficulty: Suitable for guided beginners
As recorded in the register on 2026-08-13. Check with Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division before travelling.
Grade
| Activity | Grade | Difficulty | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canoeing/Kayaking/Paddling | Beginner | Easy | 1 hour 35 minutes |
Getting there
Starts at Portumna Water Recreation Park Trailhead, near Portumna.
- Trailhead coordinates
- 53.08356, -8.21158
- Irish Grid reference
- M 85873 03656
The National Trails Register's own latitude and longitude fields are empty for all 1,186 trails on it. This trailhead comes from Sport Ireland's separate Trailheads dataset, matched to this trail on its register ID.
About the trail
Travel left (east) when you depart from the recreation park and then enter the Shannon river where you see the navigation markers. There can be rough water where the Shannon enters the lake and travelling upstream can be difficult in high river flows, also avoid the angling stands on your left. Paddle under the N65 bridge and then return on the other side of Hayes Island. Be aware that motor cruiser and water ski craft in the river can create large wakes.
Who manages it
Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division
Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division
Conditions and closures change. The operator is the authority on both, not this page.
Elsewhere
Trails nearby
Measured trailhead to trailhead, in a straight line.
- Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Portumna Forest Park 0 m away · 12 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Terryglass Harbour 0 m away · 3 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Harbour to Portumna Bridge 588 m away · 2.5 km trail
- Hymany Way 1.3 km away · 98.3 km trail
- Portumna Forest Park - Bonaveen Cycling Trail 2.0 km away · 10.3 km trail
- Portumna Forest Park - Bonaveen Walking Trail 2.0 km away · 10.3 km trail
Common questions
How long is the Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Hayes Island?
4.75 km, recorded as a loop on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. Sport Ireland estimates 1 hour 35 minutes.
How hard is the Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Hayes Island?
Sport Ireland grades it Beginner, with an overall difficulty of Easy. Grades are set against national criteria, so they are comparable with other registered trails.
Where does the Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Hayes Island start?
Starts at Portumna Water Recreation Park Trailhead, near Portumna. The trailhead is at 53.08356, -8.21158 (Irish Grid M 85873 03656).
Who manages the Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Hayes Island?
Waterways Ireland South Shannon Operations Division. They are the authority on current conditions and closures, not this page.
More in Galway
Trail data from the Sport Ireland National Trails Register, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Trailhead coordinates from the companion Trailheads dataset. Snapshot taken 2026-08-13.