Great Western Greenway – Newport Stone Bridge loop from Westport

Bike touring routes & trails

Ireland

Mayo

Great Western Greenway – Newport Stone Bridge loop from Westport

Moderate

4.5

(8)

riders

Great Western Greenway – Newport Stone Bridge loop from Westport

01:37

27.2km

190m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 7, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

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1.28 km

View from the bridge over the Carrowbeg River

Highlight • Viewpoint

The bridge and the canal are great photo opportunities.

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2.97 km

Greenway Station – Start of the Great Western Greenway to Newport

Highlight • Cycleway

This official starting point marks the beginning of the award-winning 42 km off-road route to Achill Sound, located at the foot of the Nephin Beg Mountains. The first section from Westport to Newport covers exactly 11 km and follows the historic railway bed of the Midlands Great Western Railway, which opened in 1894 and closed in 1937. Cyclists pass directly by the iconic Seven Arches railway bridge here and gradually ascend to a maximum height of approximately 60 metres, with continuous views of the 365 islands of Clew Bay.

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8.99 km

The Great Western Greenway

Highlight • Cycleway

The Great Western Greenway follows the route of the railway from Westport to Achill, which reached Achill in 1895 and closed in 1937. The Greenway opened in 2011.

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9.32 km

Great Western Greenway

Highlight • Cycleway

The Great Western Greenway follows the route of the Westport to Achill rail-way line which reached Achill in 1895 and closed in 1937. The Greenway opened in 2011.

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13.5 km

Newport

Highlight • Historical Site

(Heritage Town & Greenway Hub) This picturesque town, also known as Ballyveaghan, forms the geographical heart of the Great Western Greenway and is the ancestral home of Princess Grace of Monaco. Newport (approx. 600 inhabitants) is located on the northeastern corner of Clew Bay, where the Black Oak River meets the sea, and is known for its rich maritime history and fishing. For cyclists on the Wild Atlantic Way, it is a crucial stop with essential amenities such as supermarkets (e.g. Centra), cozy pubs, and a unique atmosphere where the rugged Nephin Beg Mountains and the 365 islands of the bay converge.

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13.7 km

Newport Historical Mural

Highlight • Monument

This detailed mural on the side wall of a building on Main Street brings Newport's rich past to life. The artwork depicts iconic figures such as the pirate queen Grace O'Malley (Granuaile) and pays homage to the local railway history of the Midlands Great Western Railway, which now forms the basis for the Greenway.

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13.7 km

Newport Stone Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

This robust 18th-century stone arch bridge forms the heart of Newport, spanning the Black Oak River. Unlike the higher railway viaduct, this bridge connects the village's main streets, offering a beautiful low perspective on the tidal flow and the colourful facades of the quay. The bridge is named after Princess Grace of Monaco, whose ancestors hailed from the nearby Drumilra valley, and it marks the transition from the sheltered river estuary to the open waters of Clew Bay.

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13.9 km

The Guinness Lodge (Grainne Uaile Pub)

Highlight • Pub

Located at the foot of the Seven Arches Viaduct in Newport, this award-winning pub is named after the 16th-century pirate queen Grace O'Malley (Granuaile). The lodge serves as an essential cycling hub along the Great Western Greenway (mile marker 11 from Westport) and is renowned for its authentic Irish cuisine featuring local seafood from Clew Bay. The interior breathes maritime history and offers a strategic resting point with secure bike storage before the route embarks on the 18 km climb and descent towards Mulranny.

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27.2 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types