Around 1kn from the Somerset Riverside Retail Park you will find 'The Cutts' also known as the ‘Salmon Leap’, easy to miss, so look out for the small Canoe Trail sign on the left. The Cutts is a fabulous location to visit especially if there is a boat going up or down the river. It consists of lock gates, a large weir, sluice flood gates and superb views of the river Bann. A very good place to watch wildlife on the river, I have never been here once without seeing herons on the far side of the river, kingfishers can also be spotted here. Take extra care if you are visiting with children as it is a dangerous location with fast-flowing deep water.
The Cutts derives its name from work that was carried out in circa 1660, the rapids here prevented goods being shipped up and down the river, the Honourable Irish Society which stems from the Plantation of Ulster funded a major project here, this cut a channel through the rock and created lock gates to make the river navigable from Coleraine to Lough Neagh. Before this goods would have been unloaded from one vessel carried upstream and then loaded onto another. The river is tidal to this point which is 9km from the sea. The Bann river was is one of the most prolific salmon rivers in the country, the remains of salmon traps are still visible on the far bank, these which closed in 1995, during their peak period they accounted for 2500 salmon per year.
Today the salmon have a free run to their spawning grounds in the tributary rivers flowing into the Bann. On this loop drive you come back up the far side of the river where you can visit the ancient site of Mountsandel. You also can walk from Coleraine to Mountsandel through a mixed woodland which passes close to the old salmon traps. The path forms a nice circular walk along the river below the ancient fort as well as along high ground where you can access it. If you find a quiet place and sit still for a few minutes you will become aware how abundant the wildlife is here.