Great Western Greenway: 42km Cycling Trail from Westport to Achill
The Great Western Greenway is a 42km off-road cycling and walking trail running from Westport to Achill Sound in County Mayo. It follows the route of the old Westport to Achill railway, which closed in 1937. The surface is hard-packed gravel, the gradients are gentle, and the views along Clew Bay are consistently good.
It's Ireland's longest off-road cycling trail and one of the most popular. Families ride it, serious cyclists ride it, walkers use sections of it. The three-section structure lets you choose your distance. Most cyclists do the full 42km in one direction and take a shuttle back.
The Greenway is not suitable for road bikes. The surface is smooth enough for hybrid and mountain bikes, but narrow tyres and drop handlebars are a bad combination with gravel and farmland gates.
What to Expect
The Greenway splits into three sections, each with a different character. You can ride them individually or string them together.
Westport to Newport (15km) is the most popular section and a good choice for families or a half-day ride. The trail follows the old railway through farmland and woodland, crossing stone bridges and passing through the outskirts of Westport before opening up along the shore of Clew Bay. Newport is a small town with a couple of good cafes for a break.
Newport to Mulranny (17km) is the most scenic section. The trail runs along the southern shore of Clew Bay with views across to the bay's islands and Croagh Patrick behind you. There is more open moorland here and fewer trees. On a clear day, this stretch is genuinely beautiful. On a wet day, you're exposed.
Mulranny to Achill Sound (10km) is the shortest and flattest section. It follows the coast through Mulranny village and along the shore to where the Michael Davitt Bridge connects to Achill Island. Mulranny itself is a good stopping point - there's a hotel with a restaurant and views over the bay.
The surface throughout is hard-packed gravel, well maintained and generally dry. You'll encounter metal gates and cattle grids every few kilometres where the trail crosses farmland. You have to dismount and walk through. It's a minor nuisance but it breaks your rhythm.
The main downside is the return journey. The Greenway is linear, not a loop. If you cycle the full 42km to Achill Sound, you need transport back. Several bike hire operators include shuttle transfers in their price. Alternatively, hire bikes at one end and arrange a drop-off. Without a shuttle plan, you're cycling 84km.
How to Get There
The eastern trailhead is in Westport, near the old railway station off the Castlebar road. Parking is free. The western terminus is at Achill Sound, just before the bridge to Achill Island. Intermediate access points at Newport and Mulranny let you start from the middle.
Most people start in Westport. Bike hire shops are concentrated there, and shuttle services typically run from Achill Sound back to Westport. Starting from Achill Sound and riding east to Westport can give you a tailwind from the prevailing westerlies, so ask locally about conditions.
By public transport, Westport has direct trains from Dublin and bus connections from Galway. Getting to Newport, Mulranny or Achill Sound without a car is more difficult - limited bus services exist but aren't frequent.
If you're driving to Mayo from elsewhere in Ireland, car rental lets you park at either end and take a shuttle back. Ireland West Airport Knock is 55 minutes from Westport.
Where to Stay Nearby
Westport is the best base - it has the widest accommodation range and most bike hire shops. Mulranny is a good midpoint option if you want to split the ride over two days. See the County Mayo guide for more choices across the county.
Right on the Greenway at the midpoint. Sea views, restaurant, and the trail runs past the front door. Ideal for a two-day ride.
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A Note on the History
The Greenway follows the route of the Westport, Newport, Achill and Belmullet Railway, known locally as the Achill Line. It opened in stages between 1894 and 1895, connecting Westport to Achill Sound. The railway was built partly to serve the fishing industry and partly to improve access to one of the most remote parts of Ireland.
The line never made money. By the 1930s, bus services had taken most of the traffic. The railway closed in 1937. A grim coincidence: the last scheduled train carried the bodies of ten young migrant workers from Achill who had died in a fire in Kirkintilloch, Scotland. A local prophecy, attributed to Brian Rua O'Cearbhain, had predicted that the first and last trains on the line would carry the dead.
The conversion to a greenway began in 2010 and was completed in 2012. The route reuses the original railway bridges, cuttings, and embankments. Several of the stone bridges along the way are original 1890s structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
