Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Terryglass Harbour
Paddling Trail · Galway
Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Terryglass Harbour is a 3 km beginner waymarked linear route in Galway, starting near Portumna.
Note from the trail operator
Difficulty: Possible for guided beginners in good weather. Suitable for intermediate unguided participants capable of self-rescue in good weather.
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 |
Getting there
Starts at Portumna Water Recreation Park Trailhead, near Portumna.
Finishes at Terryglass Harbour Trailhead.
- 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 cross the mouth of the Shannon river where you see the navigation markers. Follow the bank to the white stone cairn and then cross to Terryglass on your right at the closest point (600 meters wide). There are good views down the lake from here. Take care crossing the river in high flows and also when crossing the open water to Terryglass harbour. Avoid this crossing if there is wind and it is advisable to have the option of stopping the journey in Terryglass.
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 Hayes Island 0 m away · 4.75 km trail
- Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Portumna Forest Park 0 m away · 12 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 Terryglass Harbour?
3 km, recorded as a linear route on Sport Ireland's National Trails Register. Sport Ireland estimates 1 hour.
How hard is the Lough Derg Blueway - Portumna Water Recreation Park to Terryglass Harbour?
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 Terryglass Harbour 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 Terryglass Harbour?
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.