Walking & Hiking
Slí na Sláinte Walking Route – Westport
There are four Slí na Sláinte walking routes in County Mayo - Ballina, Belmullet, Ceathru Thaidgh (Carrowtigue) & Westport. Slí na Sláinte translates as 'path to health'. Developed by the Irish Heart Foundation, Slí na Sláinte walking routes are marked by bright colourful signposts. The signposts are not numbered and are situated at 1 km intervals.
The Westport Slí na Sláinte is a 2.5km linear route which links Westport’s two urban centres - the historic town core - the main commercial centre comprising of the main civic spaces of the Octagon, the Clock and the canalised Carrowbeg river - and the Quay area which was once a thriving commercial port and has enjoyed recent rejuvenation, as a major tourism base. Historically the two centres have been linked by the railway line which allowed goods to be transported from the Quay to the town’s railway station and beyond. The disused railway line, now known as the Westport Greenway offers users traffic free walking and cycling and a gentle gradient not greater than 1.6% as well as impressive vista of Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay.
The route can be used in both directions and can be accessed from the Quay or from the old cattle pass located at Altamount Street near the town centre.
Location: Westport, Co. Mayo
Lookout Hill Loop
A-B. Leaving the trailhead near the pier, follow the green (and purple) arrows along the surfaced road. The purple arrows are for the longer Bunnahowna Loop. After 300m the road swings right - but you proceed straight ahead onto an old laneway.
Location: Mulranny, Co. Mayo
Kilmaine - Nature Walk
This walk takes you on a path beside the N84 before joining a stream lined with native trees where you walk through fields, passing the outline of an ancient ring fort.
Location: Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Dooagh Loop Walk - Achill Island
Achill Island is situated off the coast of County Mayo in the west of Ireland. It is the largest island in the country (24 km x 19 km) and is easily accessed from the Currane peninsula on the mainland by a substantial bridge.
Location: Achill Island -Acaill, Co. Mayo
Tourmakeady Loop
This loop starts from the village and takes you through Tourmakeady Wood – the highlight is a spectacular waterfall which you pass en-route.
Location: Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo
Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail
The dazzling quartzite pyramid of Croagh Patrick (764m), which dominates the land south of Clew Bay in the west of Ireland, has been a holy mountain since before Christian times.
Location: Ballintubber, Co. Mayo
Belleek - Multi Access
This linear multi access trail on forest road and track in the diverse broadleaf/conifer and mixed woodlands of Belleek Woods offers splendid views of the Moy River and Estuary.
Location: Ballina, Co. Mayo
Great Western Greenway
This route offers gentle gradients and some of the most idyllic scenery in the West of Ireland. The route forms part of the National Cycle Network, and it is the longest off-road cycling experience in the country.
Location: Westport, Co. Mayo
The Old Pilgrim Road - Ballintubber
From Ballintubber runs the old pilgrim road to Croagh Patrick, some 22 miles away. The road is known as Tochar Phadraig, after Ireland's patron saint.
Location: Ballintubber, Co. Mayo
Fawnglass Loop
Clare Island lies 4 miles off the west coast of Ireland at the entrance to Clew Bay. The largest of the Mayo offshore islands, it has a varied terrain: spectacular cliffs with large numbers of nesting sea birds and a rich ‘inland’ topography of hills.
Location: Clare Island, Co. Mayo
Letterkeen Loop
The north of County Mayo offers remoteness and seclusion in abundance. This looped walk starts from the Brogan Carroll Bothy (a basic shelter for walkers) in Letterkeen Woods - 12km from the nearest town of Newport, with the bare summits of the Nephin.
Location: Newport, Co. Mayo
Moorehall Walk
This walk follows forest road as it circles through Moore Hall to reach the ruined Moorehall House and its old walled garden and continues back to the car park. Good views of Lough Carra from the shore across the road from the car park.
Location: Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
Croagh Patrick Walking Holidays
Discover one of the most spectacular coastlines in Europe in the best way possible: on foot with a guide with Croagh Patrick Walking Holidays.
Walks range from tricky ascents for the serious walker, to week long easier itineraries with a selection of day walk for those who simply want to be a part of this incredible environment.
Carefully planned itineraries mean you can choose to challenge yourself, or to enjoy the experience of this wild and wonderful place in a relaxing ramble. Itineraries range from day tours to weeklong trips.
Walking with Gerry Greensmyth, one of the region’s most experienced guides, and the first walking operator to introduce centre-based trips in Ireland, is a great, and great fun way to have a truly unforgettable stay in this spectacular part of the world. They are located in Westport, County Mayo.
For more information log on to www.walkingguideireland.com
Trek West
Trek West Tours specialises in Guided Walking Holidays for groups and individuals in the West of Ireland. Choose from looped walks, long distance way-marked routes and beautiful forest walks.
Whether you are interested in a long trek or a short stroll, then Trek West has something to suit you and your stamina levels.
For more information log on to http://www.trekwesttours.ie
Terra Firma - Bespoke Hiking & Stargazing Tours
Day Tours - Pick up 10am, return approximately 4.30pm. There are various options:
Sacred Sites tour (including monastic sites, round towers, Harry Clark stained glass windows, pilgrim places etc)
Monasteries of the Moy & Down Patrick Head
Route Millennia Mayo (with a selection of stops from the recommended list) return via Pontoon/Newport
North Mayo/Erris - Ballina, Killala, Ballycastle & Ceide Fields, Ballycroy National Park
Connemara & South Mayo - Louisburgh, Leenane, Lough Mask & Cong
[Note: longer routes will return at the later time of 6pm to accommodation]
Check out Hillary White's Sinday Independet Review of his visit to the region https://www.independent.ie/life/travel/ireland/mayo-castles-at-the-end-of-the-earth-on-a-wild-atlantic-safari-37039515.html
Guided Walking Tours
Pick up 10am, return approximately 4.30pm for a day of easy-moderate guided walks in Ireland's unspoiled wilderness with a selection of hiking options in Connemara, Nephin Begs, Achill or the extracts of the Bangor Trail/Western Way. Suitable to those looking to experience a digital detox and an escape to the magic of mayo.
Night Tours - take place in the darker/off season periods. This is a dark sky safari to the Mayo Dark Sky Park with late night sky viewing with a laser pointer, plus stories and magic from Dan O'Donoghue at the Letterkeen bothy to wind up the evening. Binoculars & Take-Away Sky Maps included.
For more information visit www.TerraFirmaIreland.com
Call 089 2409015 / 086 8595166
Facebook.com/TerraFirmaClub
Twitter.com/TerraFirmaClub
Instagram.com/TerraFirmaClub
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 Ireland’s 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.
Kids will be amazed at the stories of Saint Partick and the Pirate Queen Grainne Mhaol, and will no doubt giggle when they hear how cows were common in the local pub’s in the past.
Westport Walking Tours guides will ensure you enjoy your holiday that little bit more, they can advise you on places to visit, sights to see, things to do, places to eat and much much more….
All this and enjoy a free cup of tea or regular coffee after your walk and all for only 5 euro per person. Put simply you can’t afford not to visit WestportWalkingTours when you’re in Westport.
Tours leave from outside The Octagon Westport on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 10am 12noon and 2pm. Other days and times available on request, by calling Stephen on +353874101363. No minimum number groups apply. Group bookings available. Tours run regardless of weather. Suitable for children, prams, buggy’s and wheelchairs. No need to book just turn up.
For further information visit www.westportwalkingtours.ie
