Rea's Wood — Attraction in Balloo

Rea’s Wood is a nice walk through deciduous woodland that runs alongside or close to the shore of Lough Neagh. It is accessed from the large car park at Lough Road.

FACILITIES: All of the following are adjacent to the entrance of Rea's Wood – a large, surfaced car park, toilets, coffee shop/restaurant and children’s play area.

ACCESSIBILITY: The main walk through the wood is a linear, rather than a circular walk. It is 1 mile to the end of the forest, where the path turns inland for a further 0.3 miles to Dublin Road. If you walk to the end of the forest and back, it is a 2-mile walk. If you walk to Dublin Road and back, it’s 2.6 miles. I think it is better to turn at the end of the forest as the walk from there to Dublin road is not so nice.

The path is only wide enough for two people to walk side, by side and although it is surfaced in stone, it can be muddy. Through the forest, the gradients are very gentle but there is a slight incline up to Dublin Road.

It may be possible to get a mobility scooter or wheelchair along the path.

SIGNAGE: There are a couple of information boards. There are no route markers – you walk to the end, turn and retrace your steps, it’s as simple as that.

WILDLIFE: The usual range of wildfowl and gulls may be seen on the Lough. Similarly, the usual range of woodland birds can be seen in the wood. You may see a buzzard or a Jay in the woods. I haven’t seen any mammals (other than dogs).

OTHER POINTS TO NOTE: Dog fouling is evident, but unlike many other similar walks in Northern Ireland it is not a significant problem.

SUMMARY: A nice walk that is...

Absolute disgrace the amount of micro plastic along the shore, in the sand and in and around the woods, is worst I’ve seen. All ending up in the water. The people that use this place have no regard for the environment and the council do not care. Looked over the new board walk they put up and all I seen were face mask and crisp packets in the water. Anytime I go I try to pick it all up but there’s only so much one can do. Won’t be going here again. Hope you all enjoy plastic in your fish which can cause many health problems, cause that where it’s all...

A nice walk along the shore of Lough Neagh and then through the woodland. We last visited on a sunny Spring afternoon and the wood was full of Bluebells and Wild Garlic. The main route is easy to follow and there are other rougher paths that take you through the woods and onto the shoreline On a good day the views across the lough are really nice and swans, ducks and Grey Herons can be seen. We saw no dog fouling and very little litter on our latest walk here. I recommend this walk should you...