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Start at the public Drum Bridge car park beside Upper Malone Road in Drumbeg. Use the short path and steps down to the riverside path, then turn north around the river bend to join the Lagan Towpath. Follow the signed towpath towards Lisburn, passing the canal near Lock 7 and going through the M1 underpass. Continue beside Seymour Hill and McIlroy Park, beneath Ballyskeagh Bridge and along the canal to Lambeg.
At Lambeg the towpath crosses Tullynacross Road beside Lambeg Bridge. Take particular care here, checking both directions before crossing, then keep to the towpath beside the old mill site. Follow the river bend to the northern approach to Hilden Bridge. Turn back before joining Hilden Road and retrace the same route to Drumbeg. This walk does not cross Hilden Bridge or continue into Lisburn city centre.
Allow about three hours for the 9.7 km return walk and short stops. Most of the route is a level shared surfaced path, with steps at the car park, a road crossing at Lambeg and narrow sections beside water. Cyclists use the same route. Keep children close at locks and river edges, keep dogs under control and give other users room. Stay on the towpath rather than turning onto estate drives or side bridges. Turn back if flooding or a closure notice affects the path.
Park in the signed public Drum Bridge car park and check entrance notices for any restrictions or closing time. Bring water and do not rely on facilities being open along the route. Route and access information checked on 4 October 2026 against Lagan Valley Regional Park's full towpath map, the council's Drum Bridge access improvements and Department for Infrastructure notices. The maintenance closure listed for July-August 2026 is between Lock 3 and Shaw's Bridge, outside this walk. Sources: https://www.laganvalley.co.uk/sites/default/files/PDFs/Finaltowpathwhite.pdf ; https://www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/small-settlements-scheme ; https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/lagan-towpath .
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