Mayo, and Westport in particular, has some of the best roads and trails for cycling Ireland has to offer. There are hundreds of miles of meandering back roads and cycling trails through mountains and woods and along some of the most spectacular coastline to be found anywhere in the world, and Westport is the perfect cycling holiday base to explore them from.

Recently, Mayo has been in the forefront in developing new cycling trails including the 42km Great Western Greenway off-road cycling and walking trail from Westport to Achill and the Westport Greenway along the old railway track from the town to Westport Quay.

The Westport community has also been to the fore in developing the Westport Cycle Hub, three relatively short trails around the town, accessible to any cyclist, and the National Coastal Trail from Westport to Murrisk and Croagh Patrick.

Bicycle hire

Want to cycle in Mayo but can’t bring your bikes? Clew Bay Bike Hire and Westport Bike Hire has bases in each town and village along the Greenway that allow you to hire in one town and drop your bike off at any of their other bases. This means you only have to cycle as far as you want and they will bring you back to your starting point in their shuttle bus. The company can also supply bikes with trailers to keep younger children close.

If you fancy cycling the Greenway in luxury check out Paddy & Nelly Dutch bike rentals. New to the Greenway, they have a fresh concept in quality comfortable and stress-free cycling and have a range of Gazelle tour bikes, kids bikes (in all sizes) and accessories such as kids trailers, doggie trailers and super comfy seats. Traditional picnic baskets and rugs are available for that special day out! Their shop is conveniently located on Quay Street/Church Street right in Westport Town Center.

The Great Western Greenway – cycling for all the family

Westport – Newport (12km) • Newport – Mulranny (18km) • Mulranny – Achill (13km)

Escape the bustle of urban life on the multi-award-winning Great Western Greenway, the longest off-road cycling and walking trail in Ireland. Meandering along the old Westport to Achill railway line which closed in1937, this 42km almost entirely traffic-free route is ideal for getting out on a bike for a spin and is perfect for a day of family fun.

Work is still ongoing to complete several sections of the Greenway to make it entirely off-road. Visitors with young children should note that there is a short section on the main road near Newport and another near Achill. The section near Newport is due for completion by summer 2012.

West Mayo Cycle Network and the National Coastal Trail

The West Mayo Cycle Network, with the town of Westport as its hub, offers three routes varying in distance from 8km to 24km with numerous shorter alternatives. Each route offers breathtaking views of the west coast. Numerous picnic stops are dotted along the route, as well as a number of local pubs and restaurants.

The National Coastal Trail is a large project aiming to have a complete trail around the country. This small 9km section takes you from Westport to Westport Quay and onwards to Murrisk and Croagh Patrick.