Take a trip to Lagan Meadows and enjoy a healthy walk
By ORLA MCGRADY 6 February, 2017
Rain, hail or shine – we should all get outside and enjoy what’s around us. Our blogger Orla McGrady does just that – quite a lot. One grey wintry Sunday, she took a walk to Lagan Meadows and here’s what she has to say about it.
“Go outside! Go Outside! Whatever the day brings, it will be better outside.” Liz Proctor
What better time of year to take this advice on board. With grey skies, short days, snow and ice, it can be tempting to curl up on the sofa and catch up on the latest on Netflix.
On Sunday that’s exactly what would have appealed when I saw the mizzle rain and grey clouds.
However, with the new-year promise to do more of what I love, and the afternoon stretched out in front of me, it seemed a shame not to use the opportunity to ‘go walking’.
Putting on my waterproof jacket, I grabbed a bottle of water and took off on foot in the direction of Lagan Meadows. Living in Belfast I know a few walking shortcuts, so, before long I was entering the gates at the Knightsbridge Park entrance, just off Stranmillis.
On entering through the gates there is an information point offering a map and directions for all the walk options within Lagan Meadows and the wider Lagan Valley Park and towpath area.
Lagan Meadows was opened in 1985 and comprises the historic Lester’s dam, woodland area, wildlife reserve and wetlands area, managed by Belfast City Council.
The meadow paths lead to the Lagan Towpath, which is approximately 11 miles of path along the river and canal from Belfast to Lisburn.
So, I decided to simply enjoy the Lagan Meadows loop path, leaving the towpath for another day.
I have often walked the paths in summer months to appreciate the meadows when abundant in wildflowers, however this was my first winter foray. Turning right on entering through the gate, I walked a winding hilly path down through meadows, woodland and gorse all around. The hills were silent and still, the trees stripped bare save for the bright green moss-covered hawthorn. The meadows were misty and silent, apart from occasional woodpigeons flying low, swooping from tree to bush. Magpies called out from almost every tree top.
There weren’t many people on the path as I walked – an occasional runner and dog-walker. Stopping often to enjoy the birdsong, I was entertained too by a little robin who I am sure made the decision to accompany me on part of my walk.
As I approached the towpath there were people out in abundance – cyclists, runners, dog-walkers, families and solo amblers like me.
Walking-in-Northern-Ireland-at-Lagan-Meadows.-Picture-courtesy-of-the-Ulster-Wildlife-Trust…jpg
Strolling along the towpath for approximately one mile I enjoyed the ducks wading in the low marshes, within touching distance, all the while navigating the shared busy path with other users.
On reaching a cross-roads, with paths to the left to cross the river, straight ahead to reach the Lock, I turned right and up a steep set of steps to loop back around the meadows to my starting point, my preferred option of slightly off the beaten track. A giant wolf-like black dog with brown eyes bounded down the steps smiling to greet me, a quick cuddle and hello and on I went.
This last part of the walk is my favourite – largely through covered deciduous woodland, with giant tree trunks curled with ivy and giant ferns lining the pathway.
Silence except for the occasional birdcall and passing hello to fellow walkers.
I am constantly in awe of how lucky we are in Northern Ireland, to have such natural beauty all around. I live in the city, and within minutes, by foot, I am in the heart of the countryside. Walking in Northern Ireland is a fantastic experience – you just have to be aware of the wonderful gems we have.
Countryside that offers such biodiversity of natural wildlife, waterways, meadowlands, woodlands, ancient and new.
Some could argue January is a difficult month, offering little light in the darkness and grey. On closer inspection, and with a little inspiration to ‘go outside’, a wet January walk in Lagan Meadows offers optimism and hope, an opportunity to be right in the heart of nature, to smell, see and hear the natural world as it sleeps, awaiting its awakening when the longer days emerge.
Picture courtesy of The Ulster Wildlife Trust
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