Routes & Greenways

10 Easy Cycling Routes in Ireland for Beginners

Ten flat, mostly traffic-free routes for new riders, from a 9 km run into Carlingford to 48 km of the Waterford Greenway. Distances and access notes.

A Weekend on the Waterford Greenway: A Two-Day Itinerary

Two days of roughly 23 km each, Waterford City to Dungarvan via Kilmacthomas and Mount Congreve, timed around the cafés and the viaduct.

• 46 km
• 2 days
• easy

Carlingford Greenway: Coastal Views and Ancient Legends in Louth

A 6-7 km run along Carlingford Lough with the bulk of Slieve Foy above you, passing medieval castles and the landscape behind the Finn McCool legends.

• 7 km
• easy

Cycling Achill Island: A Guide to the Three Loops

Achill has three waymarked cycle loops. The Atlantic Drive is the demanding one; the beach-side and quick-hit loops suit shorter days and tired legs.

• moderate

Cycling Donegal's Coastline on the Wild Atlantic Way

Donegal holds 1,134 km of Wild Atlantic Way coastline. How to break it into rideable sections, plus Slieve League, Glenveagh and where to sleep.

• challenging

Cycling in County Clare: Loop Head, the Burren and EuroVelo 1

Clare packs road, gravel and EuroVelo 1 riding into one county. West Clare, the Burren and Lough Derg, with maps, hire and the season to aim for.

• moderate

Cycling Ireland's Hidden Heartlands: Quiet Inland Routes

The midlands get overlooked. Six inland routes including the Royal Canal Greenway, the Old Rail Trail and the 165 km National Famine Way.

• easy

Cycling Ireland's Islands: From Inis Mór to Valentia

Five islands worth taking a bike to, among them Inis Mór, Achill, Valentia and Tory. Ferry rules for bikes, hire on arrival and where to stay.

Cycling the Aran Islands: Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr

Ferries from Galway, bike hire at the pier and three island loops. Inis Mór is the big one; Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr are quieter and shorter.

• easy

Cycling the Beara Way: A 183 km West Cork Loop

The Beara Way runs 183 km around one of West Cork's quietest peninsulas, broken here into five sections with notes on hire and where to sleep.

• 183 km
• 5 days
• challenging

Cycling the Burren: A Karst Landscape by Bike

The 69 km Burren Cycleway, a 30 km dolmen loop and four options from the Doolin hub. Bare limestone, little shelter, rare flowers in the cracks.

• 69 km
• moderate

Cycling the Causeway Coastal Route: 116 km on the Antrim Coast

116 km along the Antrim coast to the Giant's Causeway, ridden in a day or split over two. A shorter 30 km section works better with children.

• 116 km
• challenging

Cycling the Cooley Peninsula: Myths and Mountains

Three routes on the Cooley Peninsula: a 7 km greenway, a 45 km loop and a 25 km climb over Black Mountain. Cú Chulainn country throughout.

• moderate

Cycling the Dingle Peninsula: The Slea Head Drive

63 km around Slea Head in four sections, past coastal cliffs and early Christian sites. The weather turns quickly out here, so start early.

• 63 km
• moderate

Cycling the Fermanagh Lakelands

Five routes around Lough Erne, from an 18 km lap at Castle Archdale to the 160 km Kingfisher Trail. Grades, bike hire and the months to aim for.

• moderate

Cycling the Great Western Greenway: Westport to Achill

42 km of traffic-free trail from Westport to Achill Sound, broken into four stages. Shuttles and bike hire are easy to arrange at either end.

• 44 km
• easy

Cycling the Inishowen 100: Ireland's Northern Tip

A 100-mile loop through Mamore Gap, Malin Head and Five Finger Strand, split into six sections. Mamore is the climb that catches people out.

• 160 km
• 3 days
• challenging

Cycling the Loop Head Peninsula: Cliffs and Lighthouses

A 65 km loop past the Bridges of Ross, Loop Head Lighthouse and the Kilkee cliff walk. Fully exposed to the wind, so pick your day carefully.

• 65 km
• moderate

Cycling the Mourne Mountains: Routes and Climbs

The Mourne Loop and the Spelga Dam climb, plus the coastal route, the Newry Canal Way and forest trails. Getting there and where to refuel.

• 72 km
• challenging

Cycling the Ring of Kerry: A Complete Route Guide

The 179 km core loop with optional extensions, ridden in one hard day or spread over three. Coach traffic is the main thing to plan around.

• 179 km
• challenging

Cycling the Sheep's Head Peninsula: A 75 km Loop

75 km from Bantry out to Kilcrohane and back through Durrus. Steady climbs rather than steep ones, and far less traffic than neighbouring Beara.

• 75 km
• moderate

Cycling the Slieve Bloom Mountains

Three road loops of 22 km, 28 km and 55 km, plus mountain bike trails at Kinnitty and Baunreagh. Where to stay, and how to get there without a car.

• challenging

Cycling the Wicklow Mountains: Routes and Climbs

Five road loops from 37 km to 70 km, taking in Sally Gap and the Shay Elliott climb, with 980 m of ascent on one. Where to base yourself.

• challenging

Cycling the Wild Atlantic Way: Coastal Highlights

The route runs 2,500 km in nine sections. Nine coastal highlights worth planning around, from Slieve League to the Dingle Peninsula.

• 2,500 km
• challenging

Cycling to Mizen Head: Ireland's Southernmost Point

Three ways to reach Mizen Head, from a 40 km bike-only loop to a 140 km round trip. Gear, accommodation and the signal station at the end.

• moderate

Cycling Waterford's Copper Coast: A UNESCO Geopark by Bike

460 million years of geology along one Waterford shoreline. The Stradbally loop, the Kilfarrasy extension and the link to the Waterford Greenway.

• 25 km
• moderate

Five Photo Stops on the Wild Atlantic Way

Malin Head, Slieve League, Keem Bay and two more, with the cycling logistics for reaching each and the light that suits them best.

Ireland's Ancient East by Bike: Four Heritage Routes

The Waterford Greenway, the 130 km Royal Canal Greenway, Wexford's Norman Way and the Carlingford Greenway, with distances and how to reach each.

Ireland's Ancient Monuments by Bike: Routes and Practicalities

The Boyne Valley Greenway, the Waterford Greenway and the Great Western trail all run past ancient sites. Routes, bike choice and how to visit well.

Ireland's Toughest Climbs: Five Challenges for Experts

Mount Leinster, the Allihies RTE mast, Truskmore, Priest's Leap and Minaun Road. Gradients, surfaces and the gearing you will want on each.

Kerry's Greenways: Tralee-Fenit, Listowel and South Kerry

Kerry has one greenway open at 13 km, another at 53 km, and a 32 km coastal route still to come. Route detail, highlights and funding news.

• 2 days
• easy

The Best Mountain Biking Trails in Ireland

Trail centres from Ticknock above Dublin to Ballyhoura's 100 km network, with Rostrevor and Glencullen in between. Ride grades and facilities.

The Connemara Loop: A 93 km Cycling Route

93 km from Maam Cross through Leenaun, Killary Harbour and the Inagh Valley. Exposed, hilly in places, and worth the effort on a clear day.

• 93 km
• moderate

The Limerick Greenway: 39 km Through West Limerick

39 km from Rathkeale to the Kerry border in five sections, with Newcastle West roughly halfway. Parking and hire are straightforward at both ends.

• 39 km
• easy

The Old Rail Trail Greenway: Athlone to Mullingar

43 km of flat former railway between Athlone and Mullingar, split into three sections. Bike hire, Athlone Castle and pacing it with children.

• 43 km
• easy

The Race Around Ireland: A Guide to the 2,150 km Ultra

2,150 km non-stop around the island, against the clock. How the categories and time limits work, and what a support crew is expected to do.

The Royal Canal Greenway: 130 km from Maynooth to Cloondara

130 km of towpath from Maynooth to the Shannon at Cloondara. Train access, bike hire, and the towns worth stopping in along the way.

• 130 km
• 5 days
• easy

The Valentia Island Cycling Loop: 53 km on the Skellig Coast

53 km around Valentia, taking in Bray Head, the tetrapod trackway and the Skellig Experience. Arrive by ferry or bridge, and allow a full day.

• 53 km
• moderate

The Wicklow 200: A Rider's Survival Guide

The Wicklow 200 rewards pacing more than raw fitness. A 12-week training block, a feeding plan, and what to do in the days afterwards.

• 200 km
• challenging

Village-Hopping by Bike: Ten Irish Villages Worth the Detour

Ten villages from Inistioge to Ardara, with the roads that link them, sensible daily distances and advice on where to stop for the night.

Visiting Ireland's Castles by Bike

Castle-heavy routes on the Boyne Valley Greenway, the Waterford Greenway and the Atlantic coast, with the history behind each stop on the way.