Tourists are divided into 3 types: someone prefers the beach and a buffet 24 hours 7 days a week, someone finds a balance between lying down and dosed visiting local attractions, and someone prefers an active vacation. The Great Western Greenway Bicycle Road is a godsend for the latter type of tourist. Where else will you have the opportunity to see the most beautiful landscapes of Ireland from a bicycle? This idea will seem unusual to someone, but it’s worth taking a closer look at it, because it is a great opportunity to make new acquaintances, including among local residents, arrange a fashionable eco-friendly vacation and enjoy untouched nature.
Everything you need to know about the cycle road
The Irish are a sports nation that loves outdoor activities: for this reason, there are many walking and cycling options among the popular excursion routes. The total length of bicycle roads in the country is 80 miles. The route starts at Westport and runs along the Atlantic coast to the city of Achillo in Mayo County. The length is 42 kilometers.
The Great Western GreenWay Bicycle Road is a former railway operating from 1890 to 1937. In 2010, a decision was made to create a bicycle road, and since then three hundred people have daily trekking and cycling trips along the Great Western.
Tips for cyclists
So that all participants of the trip feel comfortable, the rules are established on the road:
- Both cyclists and pedestrians should stick to the left side of the road.
- The weather in Ireland is changeable: you can start the route under the scorching sun, and end in the pouring rain. Let your backpack have equipment for different weather conditions.
- All cyclists must have a helmet, a headlamp and a reflective jacket.
- During stops, bicycles must be left in equipped places, improperly parked can be evacuated.
- Bicycle workshops work along the route, but the distance between them is considerable, so every cyclist must have a repair kit.
- Before starting the route, you should familiarize yourself with the rules of cycling and useful recommendations.
A tourist does not have to worry about where to get a bicycle: rental networks with extensive networks of drop-off points operate throughout the country - take a bike in one city and give it in another.
Where to relax and what to see?
The route is 42 kilometers long. Of course, for beginners it is difficult to overcome it with one jerk. If you turn off the route a bit, you can visit one of the excellent restaurants, have a snack and relax:
- The grainne uaile
- Riverside cafe e
- Kelly's kitchen
- The grainne uaile
- Blue Bicycle Tea Rooms
- Nevin's Newfield Inn
- Ring's bistro
- The Gallery Wine & Tapas Bar
- The pantry & corkscrew
- An Port Mor Restaurant and others.
During the route you can not only enjoy the picturesque views, but also visit local attractions:
- Burrishoole Abbey Ruins
- Newport Railway Viaduct
- Gift shop and gourmet Parade and others.
Interesting Facts
- The construction of a bicycle road cost the government 6 million euros
- In 2011, the road received the Irish European Destinations of Excellence Award
- 172 thousand tourists master the cycle route annually
- The average cost of renting a bike under the Dublinbikes program is 2 € for 3 days.
The object relates to cycle roads.
