Bike trails in Ireland to explore the island in new ways

You’re planning on visiting Ireland and want to combine your adventures with a sportive challenge? Why not explore the island by bike? With its dramatic coastlines, serene countrysides, valleys, hillsides, and quiet rural lanes, the country is just made for cycling. No matter if you’re a casual cyclist looking for a leisurely ride for a day or a seasoned adventurer ready for a more time-consuming long-distance challenge. In this post, we’ll let you know about the best bike trails in Ireland that you can add to your adventure list.

The Great Western Greenway through County Mayo

This panoramic route for pedestrians and bikers alike lets you ride your bike along the shores of the Atlantic. It was completed in 2011 and was then the longest greenway in Ireland – before the Waterford Greenway was finished. The Great Western Greenway is 42 kilometers long and goes from Achill over Mulranny and Newport to Westport, or the other way round, of course. While you can do the full 42 kilometers, this bike trail also offers the perfect opportunity to choose smaller sections for 2-3 hour rides. And apart from all the stunning natural scenes, beaches, bogland, and charming villages, you’ll also find plenty of cafés and other rest stops along the way.

photo: Jibin P Mathew on Unsplash

The Waterford Greenway

In 2017, Waterford Greenway was completed and is now the longest greenway in Ireland with 46 kilometers. The car-free pathway serves as the perfect route to explore the historic city of Waterford, sea-side towns like Dungarvan and the surrounding nature and villages with the dramatic backdrop of the Comeragh Mountains. And on this bike trail, you’ll even go through a 400-meter-long stone tunnel, and you’ll pass eleven bridges and three impressive viaducts.

The Wild Atlantic Way

The Wild Atlantic Way is usually known among Ireland travelers as one of the greatest road trips the country has to offer. But as such, it is of course also one of the best bike trails in Ireland. Here, nature is a bit more dramatic with rough cliffs, limestone landscapes, and the untamed ocean that you can always overlook while sitting on your bike. Popular sections of this bike trail are, for example, the famous Ring of Kerry or those including Donegal or the Burren.

photo: Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Blessington Greenway through Wicklow

You want a bit more green and a little less wind than on the Wild Atlantic Way? No problem! In County Wicklow, not too far from Dublin, is a shorter pedestrian and cycling path that offers stunning views of the Wicklow Mountains and Blessington Lakes. Blessington Greenway is 5.8 kilometers long and

Follow the Old Rail Trail through Westmeath

On this greenway from Athlone to Mullingar, you can follow the path of a 19th-century railway line for 42 kilometers. It’s mostly flat and therefore a good option for families or bikers who want to try a longer ride for the first time. While riding on the trail, you’ll pass the lush and green countryside of the Irish midlands, arched bridges, and charming restored station houses. It also directly connects to the Royal Canal Greenway, the longest greenway in Ireland.

photo: Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Ride from Dublin to Longford on the Royal Canal Greenway

Whether you’re looking for a real long-distance adventure or you want to ride only a section of the bike trail, the Royal Canal Greenway is worth looking into. The longest greenway in Ireland reaches from Dublin to Longford and follows the Royal Canal, which was established in the 18th century to connect the rivers Liffey and Shannon. While travelling on the bike trail, you’ll cross four counties – Kildare, Meath, Westmeath, and Longford – and pass suburbs, countryside, and small villages.

photo: Simon Hurry on Unsplash

Up for a challenge? Try this bike trail in Ireland

While all of these bike trails offer great opportunities to explore Ireland, there is one that takes the cake: If you want to, you can bike along 2300 kilometers of Irish coastline along the Wild Atlantic Way and the Waterford Greenway and even cross the border to Northern Ireland, where another 250 kilometers lead you towards Belfast. The trail is part of a network of long-distance bike trails through Europe, called EuroVelo. Including a few ferries, you can technically ride from the north of Norway over Ireland all the way down to Portugal.