Cycling the greenways of Ireland from the comfort of a motorhome or campervan is a great way to experience the country's stunning scenery and rich cultural heritage. With over 1,200km of designated greenways, visitors can explore Ireland's rural countryside, coastal routes, and charming towns. Travelling in a motorhome or campervan allows for the flexibility to cycle at your own pace and stop at various points of interest along the way.
Cycling the greenways of Ireland in a motorhome or campervan is an unforgettable way to discover the country's natural beauty at a laid-back pace that’s simply unforgettable. Many of the greenways are well-maintained and offer easy-to-follow routes, making it accessible for cyclists of all abilities. Additionally, there are plenty of campsites and designated parking spots along the way, allowing for convenient and comfortable overnight stays. Here we explore some of the most popular greenways in Ireland and what makes them so special.
Great Western Greenway
The Great Western Greenway an off-road walking and cycling trail in Ireland. This greenway runs for 44 kilometres, it begins in Westport and ends in Achill Island passing through Newport and Mulranny taking in Clew bay, Clare Island, Croagh Patrick, blue flag beaches, boglands and the Nephin mountain range along the way. There are 3 stages in total along the path of the former Westport to Achill railway line. The Great Western Greenway takes in some of the most stunning scenery on the west coast of Ireland, and “was voted the top three cycle trails in the world, by the New York Times”. Just another great reason for getting out and about in your motorhomes and campervans. You can start in Westport or Achill, depending on your itinerary. There’s a great campsite at Westport house with good camping options in Achill Island including Achill Seal Caves and Keel Camping which are great stopover locations. If renting bikes, check first with rental providers about availability and direction of shuttle buses. For us, this Greenway stands out because it offers great versatility with everchanging views, but also has the added bonus of a few charming villages and towns to take in and enjoy along the way.
Royal Canal Greenway
The Royal Canal Greenway is a whopping 130-kilometer trail that runs from Dublin to Longford following the 200 year old Royal Canal inland. The trail follows the path of the Royal Canal and passes through several towns and villages including Maynooth, Mullingar, and Ballymahon. The Royal Canal Greenway offers stunning views of the Irish countryside, including lakes, rivers and bogs. Because the Royal Canal Greenway is so extensive, it will require a little planning, see the Greenways Ireland Website with more information on the various access points etc. There are four main recommended cycle routes as follows: 1. Mullingar to Abbeyshrule (25km), 2.Mullingar to Meath Boundry (22km), 3. Meath Boundary to Abbeyshrule (47km), 4. Mullingar to Ballynacargy (18km). The great thing is that you could decide to do a multi day trip and cover the full trail in stages from the comfort of your own motorhome. This would some accomplishment and highly achievable if you have your own motorhome.
Waterford Greenway
The Waterford Greenway is regarded as one of the most scenic greenways in Ireland, with high quality cycle paths and glorious views, especially when you travel from the Waterford to Dungarvan direction. This 46-kilometer trail stretches from Waterford City to Dungarvan and has 6 different stages to the route. If you intend to rent a bike there are numerous hire companies along the way. Some even collect you at your finish point and take you back to where you started out. See the following blog from the Irish Road Trip, it’s packed with excellent information on all the finer details. If you are using your own bikes, it’s a great idea to start the route at Kilmacthomas and make your way to Dungarvan, as its roughly the halfway point. From here you get to take in a lot of the highlights like the 400m tunnel, the viaduct and then the coast as you approach Dungarvan. There is 24 hour parking at the greenway car park in Kilmacthomas. If you have an electric bike, distance won’t be a problem, there are also plenty of stops along the way to stop for a rest and a bit to eat.
Great Southern Greenway
Also called the Limerick Greenway, this a 40-kilometer trail that runs from Rathkeale to Abbeyfeale in County Limerick. The trail follows the old railway line that used to connect Limerick to Tralee. The Great Southern Greenway passes through some of the most scenic countryside in Ireland, including the Maigue Valley and the Mullaghareirk Mountains. See the following webpage with information on parking locations along the route.
Old Rail Trail
The Old Rail Trail is a 42-kilometer trail that runs from Athlone to Mullingar in County Westmeath. The trail follows the path of the old Midlands Great Western Railway which closed in 1987. Linking the River Shannon in Athlone with the Royal Canal in Mullingar, the Old Rail Trail passes through areas of unique biodiversity and heritage along the way with restored station houses, pretty stone arched bridges and Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park. Check out Lough Ree caravan and camping park in Athlone if you are looking for a stopover.
As well as promoting healthy living and sustainable tourism, Greenways offer a unique way to experience the natural beauty of Ireland, plus they are accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. The greenways mentioned above are just a few of the many options available in Ireland. So, if you're looking for a fun, healthy, and sustainable way to explore our amazing country, then a greenway is the perfect choice!
If you are interested in purchasing a motorhome or campervan, come and see the range at our showrooms in Shannonside Business Park, Birdhill, Co. Tipperary V94VY98. Anchor Point Motorhomes is your Burstner, Weinsberg and Westfalia Motorhome Ireland dealer, we pride ourselves on delivering a 5-star service to all our customers.
Call us on 353 (0)61 379903 or pop in to see us. A warm welcome awaits!
