Loop walks in westport

JJJJNR

Hi,

I'm going to be in westport for a while 3 months and I'm interested to know if there are any collite loop walks around the area or any decent trails for trail running.

happyoutscan

JJJJNR wrote: »

Hi,

I'm going to be in westport for a while 3 months and I'm interested to know if there are any collite loop walks around the area or any decent trails for trail running.

There are coillte loops (walking/mountain biking) a few miles north of Newport (which is a ten minute drive from Westport). The first section of the new Greenway is open from Newport to Mulranney, distance is about 17km but there are a number of gates that have to be opened which might hinder your running.

Out Louisburgh side you have the Louisburgh Killeen walks which are on back roads for the most part. In Westport you have a number of loops, longest being 24km and being on backroads. You also have the Greenway from Westport to Westport quay which is designed for running/walking/cycling.

yop

happyoutscan wrote: »

There are coillte loops (walking/mountain biking) a few miles north of Newport (which is a ten minute drive from Westport). The first section of the new Greenway is open from Newport to Mulranney, distance is about 17km but there are a number of gates that have to be opened which might hinder your running.

Out Louisburgh side you have the Louisburgh Killeen walks which are on back roads for the most part. In Westport you have a number of loops, longest being 24km and being on backroads. You also have the Greenway from Westport to Westport quay which is designed for running/walking/cycling.

Hello.
That greenway route, is that 8.5km each way? Would be a cracker for running or cycling.
Does it go across junctions and that?

mayo wheeler

The Great Western Greenway between newport and mulranny was "officially" opened yesterday by Minister Dempsey.

The trail is 18km, all one way, starting at newport Town to Mulranny. Its ideal for running as it has a dust stone finish with a bit of give and it has old railway gradients....the scenery there is also just stunning, with lots of great mountain and Altantic views. Simply cool.

There are now cattle grids at various land boundaries so there is no longer any need to open gates if cycling.

Has to be the best Greenway / Cycleway in the country

JJJJNR

Cheers all, also is there any astroturf soccer pitches in westport...



really looking forward to the greenway..

happyoutscan

Here's some links to info regarding the new greenways and cycling hubs etc.

http://www.westportsmartertravel.ie/index.html

Click on 'Tracks and Trails' and you'll get whatever you need.

Gun_Slinger

Have to agree with the posters about the Greenway, amazing route and outstanding views. I wonder with the country in the hole its in now if the Westport->Newport or Mulranny->Achill Sound routes will ever get completed? Imagine a cycleway from Westport to Achill!

As for Astro pitches in Westport, there is one beside the GAA pitch on the Newport Road.

Neworder79

Had a cycle on the new Westport town greenway yesterday, they've done a fantastic job and it seems to be drawing a lot of walkers and cyclists. Cuts out all the hills coming from the Quay. Looks very well finished with the new surface and cycle/walking lane markings at the entrance to each estate or path along the way. And the the final section across the old viaduct to Knockranny should look great a really useful piece of tourist and transport infrastructure to the town. Starts at the Harbour just off the coast road by the Quay School/Bus Depot, along the old Achill railway route past residential areas and under the west road passing close to Mill St with an entrance at the car park and ending at the old garage on Altmont St, conveniently next to the new bicycle hire shop.

The link on the website is broken, here's the brochure/map:

http://www.westportsmartertravel.ie/downloads/Westport_Sl%ED_Brochure.pdf

Davemcfar

Hi,

Is the cycle path suitable for road bikes or just mountain bikes?
Also, is it completely flat all the way?

Cheers

Neworder79

Perfectly smooth tar surface, would put the N84 to shame. There is a slight uphill gradient from Quay to town but very gentle. The only hill is near the Altmont st end where the path descends through a tunnel under the rail line.

Davemcfar

Sounds great, thanks for that

Neworder79 wrote: »

Perfectly smooth tar surface, would put the N84 to shame. There is a slight uphill gradient from Quay to town but very gentle. The only hill is near the Altmont st end where the path descends through a tunnel under the rail line.

happyoutscan

The 2.5km stretch of opened Greenway between Altamount Street/Distillery Road and the Quay is tarmaced so a road bike would be ok (although I think that fast riding is not permitted, I could be wrong). The 18km Greenway between Newport and Mulranney is not tarmaced, out there they have a few layers of grit etc with a final coating of a fine dust. Perfect for hybrid bikes (and mountain bikes etc) but not too sure how a road bike would take to this surface. Hope this helps.

mayo wheeler

Heres a great link which i found on u tube. Great video of the route showing surface, scenery etc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNMVG7pMRvs&feature=email