Walks
Of the many the things to do in Mayo, walking is one of the most popular, and for good reason. The views you’ll get of the unspoilt countryside are breathtaking and the invigorating pure sea air direct from the Atlantic is an added bonus.
A huge community effort in recent years has developed a very wide variety of marked trails within easy reach of Westport. Care has been taken to build trails with everyone in mind, from families with children to adventure sports enthusiasts.
The trails range from short strolls around Westport town and the Westport Greenway to walks on spectacular Blue Flag and Green Coast beaches, loop walks by the sea, in the hills and in the wood and forests around Clew Bay, to the spectacular Great Western Greenway and the more adventurous long-distance walks of the Western Way, Bangor Trail and Tóchar Phádraig.
Westport Walking Week
3 nights B&B in Westport town centre in a choice of hotels –with 3 gourmet dinners and entertainment, 2 days guided walks, packed lunch provided on walking days and transport available from hotels to starting point of walks.
Mill Times Hotel
http://www.milltimeshotel.ie/
call 098 29200
Clew Bay Hotel
http://www.clewbayhotel.com/
call 098 28088
Wyatt Hotel
http://www.wyatthotel.com/
call 098 25027
Croagh-Patrick
Perhaps the most famous of all the walks around Westport is the ascent of Ireland’s Holy Mountain,Croagh Patrick, known locally as ‘The Reek’. A pilgrimage mountain since prehistoric times, thousands descend on Westport on Reek Sunday in the hope of atoning for their sins, many in their bare feet.
The Great Western Greenway
The world class Great Western Greenway is the longest off-raod walking and cycling trail in Ireland. This 42km trail is traffic free and follows the route of the renowned Westport to Achill Railway which closed in 1937.
Clew Bay Bike Hirewww.westportbikes4hire.com
info@westportbikes4hire.com
+353 86 088 0882
Westport Walking Tours
Westport Walking Tours are a FREE walking tour which runs Monday to Friday at 10am and 12pm, from April to September. Departing from The Town Hall Theatre at The Octagon, Westport Walking Tours offers a casual walk around the heart of Westport town for approximately 1 hour, whilst listening to some interesting stories of how the town was shaped. Hear stories ranging from how the Ice Age shaped Clew Bay and Irelands holiest mountain Croagh Patrick, right up to today when Westport is consistently being voted Irelands Tidiest Town and even the Best Place to Live in Ireland!
This is a must do tour and is now rated the No.1 tour in Westport on Trip Advisor. Westport Pub Tours also run on Tuesday afternoons and a Westport Food Tour on Thursday afternoon.
www.westportwalkingtours.ie
westportwalkingtours@gmail.com
+353 87 410 1363
The Nephin Beg mountain range
The Nephin Beg Mountain Range dominate the skyline looking north over Clew Bay. The Bangor Trail passes through the range, on its was from near Newport to Bangor Erris, and the Letterkeen Loop walks are north of Lough Feeagh.
Sheeffry Hills
The Sheeffry Hills are a range of hills between Westport, Louisburgh and Leanne. The highest peak is Barrclashcame (772m, 2,533ft), at the western end.
Cong Forest Nature Trail
Cong Forest Nature Trail is 3.8Km long and a lovely walk steeped in history and nature. You will see forests with 100 year old trees, Cong Abby and the surrounding caves.
Mulranny Loop Walks
Mulranny has three loop walks. All three have sunstantial overlap and vary in distance. The Causeway walk is 6km, The Cushlecka Walk is 9km and the third and newest loop walk has an option of 4/6km and begins and ends at Mulranny beach.
Brackloon Wood Walk
The Brackloon Wood trailhead is about 6km south of Westport on the Leanne road. The walk is 4km long over a gentle grade.
Tawnyard Forest Trail
Tawnyard Forest Trail is a 7Km round-trip in the Sheeffry Hilld in the Tawnyard Wood, a coniferous forest managed by Coillte. This walk is part of the Western Way, a linear 150Km walking route from Leanne to Ballycastle in North Mayo.
Letterkeen loop walks
The Letterkeen woods have three looped walks. The three loops walks have colour-coded signposts: red, blue and purple. All three walks begind at the Brogan Carroll bothy.
Derradda Loop Walks
There are three loop walks that begin at the Derradda community centre, about 3.5km West of Newport, just off the Newport/Mulranny road (N59).
Tiernaur Loop Walks
There are three loop walks, each beginning from Nevins Newfield Inn, about 11km West of Newport. Each loop has fine views of Clew Bay and cross the Great Western Greenway four times.
Mweelrea – Mayo’s highest mountain peak
Mweelrea mountain stands at 814m (2,671ft) and is the highest point in Mayo and in the province of Connacht. Take note this is a dangerous mountain and climbing it should only be attepmted by experienced and well-prepared hill walkers.
Get even more information on walks all over the county from Mayo Trails and Mayo Walks
mayotrails.ie
www.mayowalks.ie/home/
