This walk is around the junction of the Grand Canal (which goes from Dublin to the River Shannon) and the Barrow Line (which goes from the Grand Canal to the River Barrow. This area is the source of water for both canals and water flows downhill from Lowtown in three directions: west along the Grand Canal to the Shannon, east along the Grand Canal to Dublin and south along the Barrow Line to the Barrow.

Total Distance: 15km

Time: 4 hours

Lowtown Canal Loop Anticlockwise

This is my recommended direction, because there are two pubs along the route where toilet breaks are available, but one has very bad reviews. Taking the route in this direction puts that pub early in the route, allowing us to visit the nicer pub near the end of the walk.

Start the walk in Robertstown which is on the south side of the Grand Canal. There appears to be only one pub in Roberstown, Weld's, and it doesn't look inviting. (A former pub with good reviews has closed down.) There is plenty of parking along by the canal.

• Cross the bridge to the north side of the canal, then turn left, walking west along the towpath until you reach a junction of canals. The Grand Canal swings right here, and the Old Barrow Line continues straight on. Continue along the Grand Canal, passing the lock and the bridge without crossing.

• Pass Lowtown Marina (toilets!) and another branch of the canal: the (new) Barrow Line. Keep going until you come to a bridge: Bond Bridge.

• Here you can take a detour to a nearby pub for a toilet break and refreshments, but only if necessary - reviews of the particular pub are not complimentary. Head north along the road away from the canal to Allenwood. Just to the left of the crossroads is Glennon's pub, off licence and undertaker. Return after the break to Bond Bridge. If you're not taking the detour, go under the bridge on the towpath.

• Continue west along the north bank of the canal. At the next bridge, Shee Bridge, cross the canal and continue along the towpath on the south side. Continue for about 500m to where the towpath meets a road. Turn sharp left onto the road, almost going back on your tracks.

• The road soon meets a major road, the R414. Turn left and immediately right.

• The path now passes many houses, then bends to the left around a raised bog area. You can also see a working bog on the right. After some trees on the right you reach a forest road on the right with a metal barrier pole. Take this forest road.

• The road crosses a small river (the Slate) and goes through a forest. Coming out of the forest there are some more houses, and then you come to the Barrow Line canal. Turn left. Pass Ballyteige Castle on the left.

• The canal splits into two at Skew Bridge. The left branch is the main Barrow Line while the right branch is the Old Barrow Line. Cross Skew Bridge and follow the path onto the north bank of the Old Barrow Line.

• Watch out for a wide stream joining the canal on the far side under a high bridge. This is the Milltown Feeder which comes from Pollardstown Fen. It provides the water for the entire canal system. This is the highest point in the canal and water flows downwards from here in three directions: towards the Shannon, towards Dublin and towards the Barrow river.

• At the next bridge, you can take a break for refreshments and freshening up. Just across the bridge is the Traveller's Rest pub, where you can get drinks, tea and coffee. There doesn't appear to be any food available in this pub other than crisps and peanuts. The pub has a pleasant outdoor drinking area facing the canal. After the break, come back across the bridge.

• Now take the road north, leaving the Old Barrow Line and after a hundred metres cross the New Barrow Line. Turn right and continue along the north bank of this canal.

• At the end of this canal, it meets the Grand Canal at a T junction. Cross the high footbridge across the Barrow Line and walk along the Grand Canal past the Lowtown Marina.

• At the next bridge, cross the Grand Canal and return to Robertstown along the left bank.