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Easy Cycling in Ireland: 7 Scenic Bike Routes to Try

Biking in Ireland doesn’t have to mean steep climbs or busy roads. The easiest cycling in Ireland sits on greenways, off-road trails, many of them laid along old railway lines, plus a few short park and island rides where the roads stay quiet.

This guide covers seven routes for beginners, families and older riders, from the 46 km Waterford Greenway to a few hours around Inis Oírr. Each one gives the distance, the terrain and where to hire a bike, so you can ride it independently or see how it fits into a small group tour with us.

Easy Cycling in Ireland: At a Glance

Table of Contents

What Makes a Cycling Route in Ireland Easy?

An easy route is flat or gently graded, away from fast traffic and short enough to finish in a few hours. The first four routes below are greenways, which are off-road and the most forgiving. The last three, in Killarney National Park, Connemara and on Inis Oírr, need a little more planning because of one-way park routes, short trail sections and island roads shared with vehicles.

Route County Distance Terrain and grade
Waterford Greenway Waterford 46 km Old railway line, graded easy
Great Western Greenway Mayo Up to 49 km Gentle gradients, graded easy
Limerick Greenway Limerick 40 km Mostly flat, described as very easy
Tralee to Fenit Greenway Kerry 13.6 km Flat and smooth
Killarney National Park Kerry Short loops Surfaced park tracks
Connemara (Ballynahinch) Galway About 6 km Paved, graded easy
Inis Oírr Galway Island about 3 km across Compact, with small hills

7 Easy Scenic Bike Routes in Ireland

Each route opens with its distance and terrain, then covers what you’ll see and where to hire a bike.

Waterford Greenway, Co Waterford

The Waterford Greenway runs 46 km from Waterford city to Dungarvan along the old railway line, and Sport Ireland grades it easy. It opened in March 2017, on the 50th anniversary of the last passenger train between Dungarvan and Waterford City.

The ride crosses eleven bridges and three viaducts, then passes through the almost 400 m long, brick-lined Ballyvoyle Tunnel, which dates from the 1870s. Views take in the Comeragh Mountains, the River Suir and the Waterford coast.

Great Western Greenway, Co Mayo

Running up to 49 km from Westport to Achill Island, the Great Western Greenway traces a former railway corridor. The route passes through the villages of Newport and Mulranny with roughly 90 m of total elevation gain; while each section is labelled moderate by the official Greenway site, using an e-bike or riding just a single section makes it much easier.

The official site splits the route into Westport to Newport (12 km), Newport to Mulranny (18 km) and Mulranny to Achill (14 km), and the 49 km total includes a 5 km extension from Achill Sound to Cashel. Views take in Croagh Patrick and the surrounding mountains, and Clew Bay with its many islands.

Limerick Greenway, Co Limerick

The Limerick Greenway runs 40 km between Rathkeale and Abbeyfeale on the Limerick-Kerry border, and Limerick City and County Council describes the gradient as mostly flat and very easy to cycle. It passes through or near Rathkeale, Ardagh, Newcastle West, Barnagh, Templeglantine and Abbeyfeale, so you can start at either end or join partway.

The 115 m Barnagh Tunnel is often a highlight, and the Barnagh Viewing Point is now fully accessible.

Tralee to Fenit Greenway, Co Kerry

The Tralee to Fenit Greenway is 13.6 km from Tralee to Fenit Harbour. It follows the Tralee estuary past The Spa, Cotters Bend and Kilfenora, with views of Mount Brandon, Tralee Bay and the Dingle Peninsula.

It’s the shortest route in this guide, which makes it a good first ride. The trail is waymarked with white arrows on a green background, and Fenit Harbour is a Wild Atlantic Way discovery point.

Killarney National Park, Co Kerry

Killarney National Park has a network of surfaced tracks in the Muckross, Knockreer and Ross Island areas that the park describes as ideal for cyclists and walkers. There are cycle parking bays at key sites, and rental shops in Killarney town provide cycle maps.

Sights inside the park include Ross Castle, a 15th-century tower house on Ross Island, and Muckross Abbey, a 15th-century Franciscan friary where an ancient yew is said to be as old as the abbey.

Along with Muckross House and Gardens, the park encompasses the Old Weir Bridge at the Meeting of the Waters and three primary lakes: Lough Leane, Muckross Lake, and the Upper Lake. For spotting native red deer, the park service recommends visiting Mossy Woods, Queen’s Drive, and Killegy Woods.

Connemara: Ballynahinch and Clifden, Co Galway

Connemara’s easy cycling comes in short sections rather than one long trail. The planned Connemara Greenway will run 76 km from Galway to Clifden along the old railway line but isn’t finished, and Galway Tourism lists open sections of about 6 km at Ballynahinch, 3.5 km at Clifden and 4 km in Galway City, from the canal by the River Corrib to Dangan Sportsground.

The paved section along the Owenmore River at Ballynahinch is rated easy, while the Bog Road is mostly flat. However, the 16 km Sky Road loop near Clifden is more challenging, so consider reserving it for an e-bike or a second day of riding.

Inis Oírr, Aran Islands, Co Galway

Inis Oírr is the smallest of the three Aran Islands and about 3 km across, so you can cover its roads in a few hours. Galway Tourism lists bike rental at the pier, and the island is part of the Gaeltacht, with a proud tradition of Irish music, song and dance.

Stops include O’Brien’s Castle, a 16th-century ruin at the island’s highest point, and St Caomhán’s Church, a sunken 6th-century church in the graveyard. The Bronze Age burial mound Cnoc Raithní and the lighthouse, built in 1857 and still operational, are also on the island.

The Plassey, a merchant ship that ran aground in a storm in the 1960s, is around 30 minutes by bike from the pier, and a golden-sand beach lies in the north. Expect compact, gently rolling roads rather than flat ones, shared with vehicles and animals.

Three Harder Rides for When You Want More of a Challenge

Three well-known Kerry rides are scenic but not easy, so take an e-bike or save them for a day when you feel strong.

Gap of Dunloe

The route passes Lord Brandon’s Cottage and the Black Valley to the head of the Gap, then follows a winding, narrow road down to Kate Kearney’s Cottage. Killarney Bike Rental says it isn’t suitable for children and that adults must be experienced cyclists. Both cottages have toilets and food, and a boat back through the Lakes of Killarney is an option.

Slea Head, Dingle Peninsula

This circular route from Dingle is part of the Wild Atlantic Way, and part of the cliff road is very narrow and single-lane only. The Dingle Peninsula tourism site advises riding clockwise to avoid the large tour buses that use the route in summer, and to allow at least half a day. Stops include Coumenoole Strand, the beehive huts at Fahan and Gallarus Oratory, with views of the Blasket Islands. Dingle Bikes hires e-bikes.

Valentia Island

About 11 to 12 km long, it’s reached by the road bridge from Portmagee or by the ferry from Reenard Point near Cahersiveen, a crossing of about five minutes that runs every ten minutes between April and October. Check whether the ferry takes bikes. The island’s own website calls it part of a beautiful coastal cycling route, and the hills around Geokaun and the cliffs make it a moderate ride. South Kerry Cycles hires e-bikes.

Easy Cycling in Ireland, at Your Own Pace

Explore seven gentle cycling routes in Ireland, ranging from scenic off-road greenways to national park trails, Connemara paths, and quiet island roads, with more challenging Kerry rides available when you want a bigger test.

You can easily add cycling to your trip as an optional extra on our small group tours of Ireland, organize a bike-focused itinerary through a private guided tour or custom trip, or explore our list of gentle hikes in Ireland if you prefer walking. For more details, see our optional experiences page or get in touch to discuss options.

FAQ

When is the best time to cycle in Ireland?

Late spring is a strong choice: Met Éireann data shows May and June are the sunniest months, and April and May are the driest in the west. Summer works too, but Irish weather can change within a day, so pack a rain layer. Our guides to the best time of year to visit Ireland and what to pack cover the detail.

Do you need a helmet to cycle in Ireland?

Though helmet wearing is not currently mandatory by law for cyclists in Ireland, it is strongly advised by the Road Safety Authority. Remember that traffic moves on the left. Because regulations regarding helmet requirements for e-bikes are under review by the government, it is best to verify current guidelines prior to your trip.

Can you take a bike on a train in Ireland?

Yes, but Irish Rail requires you to book bike space in advance on InterCity services through its Journey Planner, and there may be restrictions at peak times. Folding bikes are an exception and travel free on all services. On DART and commuter trains, bikes travel free off peak and all day at weekends, but they aren’t allowed Monday to Friday from 07:00 to 10:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00.

Do you need lights on a bike in Ireland?

Yes, from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, according to Citizens Information. The law requires a white or yellow front light and a red rear light, and every bike on a public road must always display a red rear reflector, except a child’s bike used only in daylight. Flashing lights are permitted.

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