The Great Western Greenway is a 42 kilometre cycling and walking path along the route of the old Westport-to-Achill railway, which closed in 1937. It runs from Westport through Newport, Mulranny and across to Achill Sound, mostly traffic-free. It is one of the best cycle days in Ireland.
The route
Westport to Newport: 11 km, mostly flat through farmland and along the side of Clew Bay. Newport to Mulranny: 18 km, through forest and along the foot of the Nephin Beg mountains. Mulranny to Achill Sound: 13 km, the most spectacular stretch, with views across to Achill Island and Clare Island. The path is paved tarmac for most of its length, with some gravel sections.
How long does the full route take to cycle?
For a casual cyclist, four hours of riding plus stops. Add an hour for lunch and the day is six hours total. A faster cyclist can do it in three hours. Walking the whole route takes two days; most walkers do a section.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, with the right caveats. The path is traffic-free for most of its length and the gradients are gentle (railway lines never had steep climbs). Children from about eight on a bike of their own can manage the full distance. Younger children can be carried in trailers or child seats. Plan to break the day with a long lunch in Mulranny.
Where do I rent a bike?
Westport has several bike rental operations. Clew Bay Bikes and Westport Bike Hire are the longest-running. Hybrid bikes around twenty-five euros for a day, electric bikes around thirty-five. Both can deliver the bike to your accommodation and pick it up at the Achill Sound end. Pre-book in summer.
How do I get back?
The shuttle bus, run by the bike hire companies, picks you up at Achill Sound and brings you back to Westport with the bikes. Around twenty euros per person. Much easier than cycling back the way you came (though some keen cyclists do the round trip).
Where do I eat along the way?
Newport, the first stop at 11 km, has the Mulberry Restaurant and Newport Hotel for sit-down lunches. Mulranny, at 29 km, has the Mulranny Park Hotel restaurant which is the standard lunch stop with a view across the bay. Achill Sound at the end has the Cottage Bar and Restaurant for an end-of-day pint and dinner.
Is it worth riding in winter?
The path is open year-round. Summer is busier but the days are longer. October has the best autumn colour. December and January can be windy and wet, and parts of the path go through exposed sections where a strong wind makes the riding hard. May to September is the comfortable season.
The Mulranny section
The stretch from Newport to Mulranny goes through forest along the side of Lough Furnace, then opens out at the village. Mulranny is the highest point of the Greenway and the views across Clew Bay are at their best from here. The Mulranny Park Hotel does a good lunch and has bike racks.
The Achill end
The final stretch from Mulranny to Achill Sound runs along the side of Clew Bay with views to Clare Island. Once you cross the Michael Davitt Bridge to Achill itself, you can carry on into the island for another half-day if you have the legs. Most riders stop at Achill Sound and call it a day.
What to bring
Helmet (provided with rentals), waterproofs, water, lunch money, sun cream. The path has no shade. A puncture repair kit is sensible if you are doing the full route; the bike rental places provide one with their bikes.