Cycle the Great Western Greenway: 42km self-guided Mayo trail

Pedal a traffic-free railway route with Clew Bay and Croagh Patrick rising alongside

Cycle the 42km Great Western Greenway, a self-guided ride on Ireland's longest off-road trail between Westport and Achill Island. The route follows an old railway bed closed in 1937, passes through Newport and Mulranny, and runs traffic-free along the Wild Atlantic Way with views of Clew Bay, its islands, and Croagh Patrick. Bike hire, helmet, hi-vis vest, lock and route maps are included. An emergency backup vehicle supports the ride. The full route takes around eight hours and suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Cycle the Great Western Greenway

• Start cycling from Westport town
• Follow the traffic-free Greenway trail
• Pass through Newport village
• Cycle through Mulranny village
• Stop at a cafe or hotel in Mulranny
• Cycle around scenic Clew Bay
• Enjoy views of Croagh Patrick mountain
• Complete the route to Achill Island

The experience

The Great Western Greenway is a 42km ribbon of tarmac and gravel that replaced the Westport to Achill railway when it closed in 1937. You start in Westport town and ride traffic-free the whole way, which means no jostling with cars and no need to navigate by road signs. The path is the route. The trail climbs gently out of town and opens onto views of Clew Bay, where you'll see dozens of islands scattered across the water and Croagh Patrick's conical peak rising to the south.

Newport and Mulranny sit roughly midway along the greenway. Mulranny is known for its long beach facing Clew Bay, and both villages have cafes and hotels where you can stop, eat and rest without leaving the route. The landscape shifts as you move toward Achill Island: the Nephin mountain range appears to the north, and the bay views stay constant. You navigate by the maps and self-guided route provided. There is no guide narrating stops, so you set your own pace and decide how long to linger at each village or viewpoint.

Bike hire covers your choice of electric, trekking, pedal or kids bikes, and each comes with a helmet, hi-vis vest and lock. An emergency backup vehicle travels the route in case of mechanical trouble or fatigue, so you can call for a ride if the eight hours feels like too much partway through. Children from age eight are welcome on the ride.

What’s included

• Bike hire in your choice of electric, trekking, pedal or kids bike.
• helmet, hi-vis vest and lock per bike.
• self-guided route maps.
• emergency backup vehicle support throughout the day.

Options for this experience

4 options

Pedal bike10:00Lasts 8 hours

Kids bike10:00For children aged 8 to 12

Trekking bike10:00Ages 18 and over

Electric bike10:00For adults only, 18 and over

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (8 to 12 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Ireland Wild Escapes

Is this one for you?You navigate by map and set your own pace, which means no fixed schedule and no guide talking over the views: ideal if you want to stop often or ride straight through. The traffic-free surface and mostly flat terrain suit all fitness levels, though the full 42km and eight hours ask for a day of steady pedaling.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (8 to 12 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

How long does it take to cycle the full 42km Great Western Greenway?

The full route takes around eight hours, though that includes time for stops in villages and at viewpoints. You set your own pace, so you can take longer if you want to linger, or faster if you prefer to keep moving.

Is the Great Western Greenway completely traffic-free?

Yes, the entire 42km trail is off-road and traffic-free, following the old railway bed. You won't share the path with cars, which makes it safe for children and less demanding than road cycling.

What villages do you pass through on the greenway?

The route runs from Westport through Newport and Mulranny before reaching Achill Island. Both Newport and Mulranny have cafes and hotels where you can stop for food and rest.

What happens if I get tired or my bike breaks down during the ride?

An emergency backup vehicle travels the route, so you can call for support if you need a ride back or if your bike needs repair. You won't be stranded on the trail.

What views will I see along the greenway?

The route runs alongside Clew Bay with views of its many islands, Croagh Patrick rising to the south, and the Nephin mountain range to the north. You'll cycle through the villages of Newport and Mulranny, both set on the bay with long beaches and mountain backdrops.