A jaunt around and on the Derry Walls — the largest ancient monument in northern Ireland — makes for a unique running experience. This can be combined with some of the other historic streets in the historic section of Derry, which lies on the west bank (Cityside) of the river. It’s difficult to map an exact route, so use the description below and this brochure & map as a guideline and Bishop St./The Diamond as an anchor.
City walls, Derry / Londonderryby Kenneth Allen
Start with a run on top of the largely intact 400+ year-old Derry Walls, using Magazine Gate through Guildhall Sq. for access. It’s ~1 mile around the elevated promenade. Then, run the ~1 mile circumference around the outside of the wall, exiting the Walled City through New Gate, passing by Bishop’s Gate and re-entering the Walled City through Butcher Gate, following the line of an old dry moat.
Add by creating your own route around the historic center. Bishop St, runs ~1 mile north-south, passing St Columb’s Cathedral. Foyle St. from Guildhall is another good, longer road, as is Water-Orchard-Fountain.
Add-On: Quay Trail/River Foyle Path. From The Diamond, use Shipquay St. to access the Peace Bridge, or Ferryquay/Carlisle Rd. to access the river at Craigavon Bridge.
A jaunt around and on the Derry Walls — the largest ancient monument in northern Ireland — makes for a unique running experience. This can be combined with some of the other historic streets in the historic section of Derry, which lies on the west bank (Cityside) of the river. It’s difficult to map an exact route, so use the description below and this brochure & map as a guideline and Bishop St./The Diamond as an anchor.
City walls, Derry / Londonderryby Kenneth Allen
Start with a run on top of the largely intact 400+ year-old Derry Walls, using Magazine Gate through Guildhall Sq. for access. It’s ~1 mile around the elevated promenade. Then, run the ~1 mile circumference around the outside of the wall, exiting the Walled City through New Gate, passing by Bishop’s Gate and re-entering the Walled City through Butcher Gate, following the line of an old dry moat.
Add by creating your own route around the historic center. Bishop St, runs ~1 mile north-south, passing St Columb’s Cathedral. Foyle St. from Guildhall is another good, longer road, as is Water-Orchard-Fountain.
Add-On: Quay Trail/River Foyle Path. From The Diamond, use Shipquay St. to access the Peace Bridge, or Ferryquay/Carlisle Rd. to access the river at Craigavon Bridge.
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Essentials
Inside/outside the Derry Walls are each ~1 mile. Add with other area streets
Stairs and ramps to access the top of the City Walls
Guildhall Sq. is a good access point for the Derry Walls
The signature run in Derry. A path runs along the west embankment of the River Foyle for up to 6.3 miles. Nice water views, and more pastoral south of the Craigavon Bridge. Can be combined with Peace Bridge/St Columb's Park route.
A nice run combining the historic Peace Bridge with a path through St. Columb's Park and alongside the east embankment of the River Foyle. Can be combined with our west embankment route.
In the northwestern part of Derry, one can put together 4-5 miles on a paved path that starts at the Templemore Sport Centre. Includes a running track, & paths through St Columb's College. Connect to the Quay Trail for a longer run.
A worth-it destination run 11 miles west of Derry! A scenic gravel path runs along Drongawn Lough for nearly 3 miles. Great water views. Combine with the pastoral, relatively traffic-free roads around Burt Castle.
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Essentials
Inside/outside the Derry Walls are each ~1 mile. Add with other area streets
Stairs and ramps to access the top of the City Walls
Guildhall Sq. is a good access point for the Derry Walls
Review or Comment on This Route/Share a Photo!
Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!