Destination Westport Planning Guide - Local inspiration, practical advice and unforgettable experiences to help you plan your perfect visit.
Autumn arrives quietly in the west. One week the hedgerows are green, the next the oaks at Brackloon have turned and the trees along the Mall are dropping gold into the Carrowbeg River.
If you are wondering where to see the best autumn colours around Westport, the good news is that you do not have to go far. Some are in the middle of town, and most of the rest are within half an hour's drive.
Colour usually builds through October and lingers into November, depending on the weather. Here is where we would go.
1. The Mall and the Carrowbeg River
Start in town. Elegant Georgian buildings frame the banks of the Carrowbeg River, and the tree-lined Mall is at its prettiest when the leaves turn. Cross one of the stone bridges, take your time and bring a camera.
If you would like a guide, Westport Walking Tours bring the town's stories to life with plenty of humour. Scheduled tours run from April to September, so check with them about autumn dates.
2. Westport Estate Woodlands
On the edge of the town centre, Westport Estate holds some of the oldest trees in the area. Its broad-leaved woodlands were planted in the late 17th and 18th centuries, and a loop trail of about 3.5km takes you through them. [CHECK: confirm the estate grounds and woodland walk are open to walkers this autumn while the works are under way]
If you would like to wake up among the trees, The Grace, Westport Estate sits within the 430-acre estate.
3. Brackloon Wood
If you only have time for one woodland walk, make it Brackloon. A short drive south of Westport on the Leenane road (N59), this is a precious remnant of Ireland's Atlantic oak woodland, with oak, ash, willow, hazel, birch and holly overhead and moss and ferns underfoot.
The Brackloon Wood walk is a 4km loop on a gentle grade, marked with purple arrows. Allow about 45 minutes, and longer with small children who will want to kick every pile of leaves.
4. Old Head Woods, Louisburgh
About a 20-minute drive out the coast road (R335), Old Head is home to Ireland's only Atlantic oak forest that grows right on the coast. It is a short stroll rather than a hike, and you get the sea and the trees in one visit.
From Old Head Beach, cross the smaller beach to the left of the pier and look for the gate and stile in the rocky rise. Afterwards, walk the strand with Croagh Patrick for company.
5. Tourmakeady Forest and Waterfall
Around half an hour's drive from Westport, signposted from Partry village on the N84, Tourmakeady is one for a crisp, bright morning. A 2.5km forest trail follows the Glensaul River through oak, birch, ash, hazel and holly.
Your reward is Tourmakeady Waterfall at the end of the trail, which is at its best after a spell of rain.
6. Moorehall and Lough Carra
Also about half an hour away, Moorehall sits on the shores of Lough Carra. Woodland trails wind through beech forest and past the ruins of a 1790s country house that was destroyed by fire in 1923.
Keep your eyes up as well as down. The woods are home to red squirrels and pine marten, and the lakeshore is a peaceful place to stop with a flask.
7. Cong Forest Nature Trail
For a full day out, head for Cong in south Mayo. The Cong Forest Nature Trail is a 3.8km walk on an easy grade that starts in the grounds of Cong Abbey, passes through a grove of yew trees more than 100 years old and continues into mixed forest, where many of the trees were planted by Lord Ardilaun of the Guinness family.
Film fans can add The Quiet Man Museum & Tour of Film Locations while they are in the village.
Warm Up Afterwards
A walk in the cold earns you something warm. Back in Westport, The Brehon Bar at Knockranny House Hotel looks out over Clew Bay, and Luseas Rooftop Restaurant at the Westport Coast Hotel has views of Croagh Patrick, so you can keep watching the colours from your seat.
On the Octagon, Cobblers Bar at the Wyatt Hotel pairs craft beers with traditional Irish dishes, and Coveys Gastrobar at Westport Plaza serves a New York Italian inspired menu. For the rest of the day, try our 7 cosy things to do in Westport on an autumn day.
Local's Insider Tips
Go early or go late. Low sun through the trees is when the colours glow.
Wear proper boots. Woodland paths hold the rain, and wet leaves are slippery.
Follow the markers. Brackloon and Cong are both waymarked, so stay on the trail and you will not go wrong.
Bring the bikes. The Great Western Greenway is almost entirely traffic-free and a lovely way to watch the countryside change colour.
Do not wait for a perfect day. A soft morning in the woods is every bit as beautiful, and you will have the place to yourself.
Book your break to Westport now
Autumn Colours Around Westport: Catch Them While They Last
The best thing about autumn colours around Westport is how close they are. You can be under the trees on the Mall straight after breakfast, and among the old oaks at Brackloon not long after that.
The leaves do not hang around, so pick a walk, pack a flask and go. For more ideas, see our five fabulous forest walks close to Westport.
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