Walking
Westport has so much to offer walkers. With largely unspoilt views, clean countryside, varying landscapes, unique scenery, pure sea air and rich heritage and folklore make it as ideal walking destination.
We can recommend short walking tours around Westport Town or for the more energetic, we can recommend walks on rambling country lanes, loop walks on coastal paths, mountain treks and pilgrim routes .
It can offer most types of walks from 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.
We can recommend short walking tours around Westport Town or for the more energetic, we can recommend walks on rambling country lanes, loop walks on coastal paths, mountain treks and pilgrim routes .
It can offer most types of walks from 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 Tours
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. Discover how Westport House was built on the grounds of Grainne Mhoals castle or how Westport town came to be designed around the beautiful Carrowbeg river or how the now famous greenway cycle way came about as a result of a number of unfortunate events.
All this and enjoy a free cup of tea or regular coffee after your walk and all for only €5.00 per person.
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. Discover how Westport House was built on the grounds of Grainne Mhoals castle or how Westport town came to be designed around the beautiful Carrowbeg river or how the now famous greenway cycle way came about as a result of a number of unfortunate events.
All this and enjoy a free cup of tea or regular coffee after your walk and all for only €5.00 per person.
Croagh Patrick
(764m), the closest to Westport and known locally as the Reek, is Ireland’s holy mountain and a site of pilgrimage since ancient times. On Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July, around 25,000 pilgrims and other walkers climb to the top, where there is a small chapel, as well as stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including Clew Bay to the north.
(764m), the closest to Westport and known locally as the Reek, is Ireland’s holy mountain and a site of pilgrimage since ancient times. On Reek Sunday, the last Sunday in July, around 25,000 pilgrims and other walkers climb to the top, where there is a small chapel, as well as stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including Clew Bay to the north.
Letterkeen Loop Walk
Directions : Start from the town of Newport – on the N59 between Westport and Achill. Follow the N59 in the direction of Achill for just 1km before turning right at a signpost indicating Treenlaur Youth Hostel and Lough Furnace. After 1km go straight at a signpost for Lough Furnace, and continue along this road past Lough Feeagh (on your left). Pass Treenlaur Youth Hostel and Shramore Lodge, and then cross a small bridge over the Srahrevagh River . Almost immediately after the bridge turn left onto a forestry roadway (following the signposts for the Bangor Trail and the Western Way). Follow the forestry roadway for approx 1km – the trailhead is located at the stone bothy.
Brackloon Walk
Location : The trailhead is located at the entrance to Brackloon Wood approximately 6km from Westport town.
Directions ; From Westport, take N59 to Leenaun. After approximately 6km, turn right off N59 at sign for “Owenwee”. The trail entrance is 250 m further further up on right.
Location : The trailhead is located at the entrance to Brackloon Wood approximately 6km from Westport town.
Directions ; From Westport, take N59 to Leenaun. After approximately 6km, turn right off N59 at sign for “Owenwee”. The trail entrance is 250 m further further up on right.
Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail
The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail extends from the town of Balla in central Mayo, to the village of Murrisk at the base of Mayo’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick. The trail is 61km in length and mainly at low level, but the walker should note that the trail does reach a high point of 310 metres around the foothills of Croagh Patrick.
The Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail extends from the town of Balla in central Mayo, to the village of Murrisk at the base of Mayo’s holy mountain, Croagh Patrick. The trail is 61km in length and mainly at low level, but the walker should note that the trail does reach a high point of 310 metres around the foothills of Croagh Patrick.
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. It consists of five peaks flanked on one side by Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only true fjord, and on the other side by Doolough Pass, a glaciated valley. There are magnificent views from the top including the Atlantic Ocean, Ben Gorm Mountains, the Twelve Bens in Connemara, the Maumturks and the Sheeffry Hills. Mweelrea can be approached from the east, near Doo Lough on the Leenane to Louisburgh road (R335) or from the west, near Silver Strand on the coast road below Louisburgh.Mweelrea is a dangerous mountain and climbing it should only be attempted by experienced and well-prepared hillwalkers. The Mweelrea mountain range is only a short drive from Louisburgh and Leenane, which have a range of pubs and restaurants for you to relax in after your climb.
Mweelrea mountain stands at 814m (2,671ft) and is the highest point in Mayo and in the province of Connacht. It consists of five peaks flanked on one side by Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only true fjord, and on the other side by Doolough Pass, a glaciated valley. There are magnificent views from the top including the Atlantic Ocean, Ben Gorm Mountains, the Twelve Bens in Connemara, the Maumturks and the Sheeffry Hills. Mweelrea can be approached from the east, near Doo Lough on the Leenane to Louisburgh road (R335) or from the west, near Silver Strand on the coast road below Louisburgh.Mweelrea is a dangerous mountain and climbing it should only be attempted by experienced and well-prepared hillwalkers. The Mweelrea mountain range is only a short drive from Louisburgh and Leenane, which have a range of pubs and restaurants for you to relax in after your climb.
Inishturk Island Loop Walks
Inishturk is a small beautiful island, 5km x 2.5km, located 9 miles (14.5km) off the west coast of Mayo, between the islands of Inishbofin and Clare Island . It rises boldly from the wild North Atlantic in wall like-cliffs to the north-west and steep hills to the north on which stands the ruins of the old Napoleonic signal tower 688 ft above sea level.
Inishturk is a small beautiful island, 5km x 2.5km, located 9 miles (14.5km) off the west coast of Mayo, between the islands of Inishbofin and Clare Island . It rises boldly from the wild North Atlantic in wall like-cliffs to the north-west and steep hills to the north on which stands the ruins of the old Napoleonic signal tower 688 ft above sea level.
