Mayo · Moderate · One way

Westport to Mulranny along Clew Bay

The best of the Great Western Greenway: from Westport along the shore of Clew Bay by Newport to Mulranny, with island views.

Distance
30.6 km (19.0 mi)
Ascent
110 m
Riding time
About 2 h 15 min
Grade
Moderate
Bike
Any bike
Runs on
86% cycle path, 8% road, 6% busy road

Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.

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Move along the height chart to see each point on the map.
Westport to Mulranny along Clew Bay
Robert Ashby · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The ride

From the greenway car park on the edge of Westport the old railway runs north beside the N59 and then away from it, through fields and over small bridges, to Newport. After a short stretch on the town's streets it heads west along the north shore of Clew Bay, looking out over its islands, and ends at Mulranny.

It is 30.6 km (19.0 miles) one way with 110 m of climbing; allow about 2¼ hours of riding. The grade is Moderate. It is off-road, on tarmac and fine gravel, with gentle climbs, apart from about 2 km through Newport shared with traffic.

The railway to Achill opened to Newport in 1894; passenger trains stopped in 1934 and the line closed in 1937. The greenway opened in 2010 and 2011 and is marked with green arrows.

Park at the greenway car park in Westport or at Mulranny. Westport has bike hire, and Westport Electric Bike Rental includes a shuttle, so you can ride one way. The Mulranny Park Hotel by the end of the ride dates from 1897.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.

Good to know

  • The railway to Achill, opened to Newport in 1894; passenger trains stopped in 1934 and the greenway opened in 2010 and 2011
  • Mostly traffic-free on tarmac and gravel, with about 2 km on roads through Newport
  • Views over the islands of Clew Bay; the Mulranny Park Hotel dates from 1897
  • Bike hire in Westport, with shuttles to bring you back

Getting there

Start: Westport. 53.79917, -9.51691

Directions to the start

By train: Westport station is 0.6 km from the start.

Places to stay nearby

Rooms in and around Westport: Booking.com → Expedia →

Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.

Paths and roads change, and surfaces vary with the weather. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; ride to what you find, give way to walkers and horses, and carry what you need to mend a puncture.