I find cycling with my kids very enjoyable. They seem to like it too, I think its the independence of going under their own steam coupled with the family time. It costs very little and can be combined with a picnic.
Since my youngest child is only 5, my middle child unable to go in a straight line or see a car driving over her, I try and avoid roads.
Also, since Fiona, my wife, often accompanies us – the rides need to be flat.
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Located just over the border just off the main Enniskillen to Sligo road, travelling towards Sligo, turn right opposite the “Ballroom of Romance”, Glenfarne.
About a mile up on the right, just past a church on the right, is the entrance to the forest park. There is a map on a board at the entrance.
Driving through the forest you eventually come to a junction. Turning right will take you down to parking and a slip road at the waters edge.
The route begins through the forest back in the direction you drove. At the junction, turn right to take you back to the lake edge.
The views across the lough are spectacular and at intervals of about a mile along the shoreline are various interesting rock carvings and resting places.
These offer great stopping points for kids to explore the lough shore, climb, fight with each other and strop.
The track does go up and down a couple of short hills but these were easily cycle-able by Niamh (7) with gears or push able by her sisters (5 and 10 with heavy BMX) and mum – (age withheld with gears).
After about 4 miles the tack joins a road that circles back to the forest entrance.
This is a very quiet road, but does have a lot of hills. I have done the full circular route with my two youngest children but the hills were a lot of work (both up and down) for the youngest and the total distance is about 12 miles.
Personally, with children I would recommend simply doubling back along the side of the lake.
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