The Great Western Greenway in County Mayo, from Westport to Achill
A former Atlantic railway reborn as a greenway in western Ireland, among peat bogs, the inlet of Clew Bay and Achill Island. In County Mayo, less travelled than the classic tourist circuits, you cycle far from the traffic on a path almost entirely reserved for bikes.
Foto: Bert Kaufmann from Roermond, Netherlands (CC BY 2.0) — Wikimedia Commons
The western Ireland that ends up on the postcards is almost always Kerry or the Cliffs of Moher. County Mayo, further north, stays in the shadows, and it's precisely for this reason that the Great Western Greenway is one of those places where you cycle in peace. It follows the track of an old, disused Atlantic railway, converted into a dedicated greenway, linking Westport to the great island of Achill while skirting one of Ireland's most beautiful bays.
The itinerary
You set off from Westport, a tidy, lively little town with its channelled river and Georgian façades, an excellent logistical base. From here the greenway heads west and reaches Newport, a village gathered around a stone viaduct that spans the river. You carry on towards Mulranny, overlooking the wide inlet of Clew Bay, studded with islets, with the conical bulk of Croagh Patrick, the holy mountain of Irish pilgrimage, in the background. The final stretch leads to Achill, the island linked to the mainland by a bridge, with its beaches, its peat bogs and its ocean-battered cliffs.
Along the way the landscape changes constantly: stretches between dry-stone walls and pastures, open glimpses of the bay, expanses of rust-coloured bog and the profile of the hills. Achill itself deserves time, with its villages, the abandoned deserted village on the slopes and the Atlantic-facing beaches. It's a finale to the route that rewards all the pedalling.
The ride
The great virtue of this greenway is that it runs largely separate from traffic roads, on an even surface suited even to those who aren't experienced cyclists. Being built on a former railway bed, the gradients are gentle and steady: there are no tough climbs, and the route is within reach of families and of anyone wanting a relaxed trip. An ordinary touring or hybrid bike is more than enough. If anything, the effort comes from the Atlantic wind and the rain, which here can arrive at any moment.
To get there, Westport is well connected by rail and road with the rest of Ireland; the nearest airport is Knock, with Dublin or Shannon as alternatives, from which you reach the area by car or train. As it's essentially a linear route, it's worth thinking ahead about how to handle the return, for example using the local bike-transport services available in the area.
When to go
The best period runs from late spring to early autumn, roughly from May to September. In those months the days are long, the greenery is vivid and the chances of dry weather a little higher, though in western Ireland rain always remains possible. Although it's now well known among greenway enthusiasts, County Mayo doesn't see the numbers of Ireland's major tourist hubs, and outside the peak-summer weekends you often cycle in tranquillity, especially on the more westerly stretches towards Achill.
Detours and surroundings
It's worth considering the possible detours too. From Mulranny and its surroundings, side roads open up towards the Curraun peninsula and towards scenic viewpoints over the bay, while Achill itself offers extra loops among beaches, cliffs and the famous overlook on the west coast. Those with time can turn the linear out-and-back into a small multi-day trip, alternating the dedicated greenway with stretches on quiet country roads. The area is also rich in Gaelic culture and musical tradition: an evening in a Westport or Newport pub, with live music and locals, rounds off the experience as much as the cycling itself.
A practical tip: plan a night on Achill Island rather than heading straight back, so you can enjoy the ocean sunrise or sunset once the few day-visitors have gone. And always set out with waterproof layers within reach: the beauty of the Atlantic sky here is that it changes fast, and a sudden shower is part of the experience just as much as the light that returns right afterwards.
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Practical info
When is the best time to visit The Great Western Greenway in County Mayo?
The recommended time is May and September, when it is less crowded.
Where is The Great Western Greenway in County Mayo?
The Great Western Greenway in County Mayo is located in From Westport to Achill Island, Ireland.
