Ireland's Longest Greenway

This exact route forms a massive chunk of what will eventually be the coast-to-coast Dublin to Galway Greenway. By linking the Royal Canal Greenway and the Old Rail Trail, you get a seamless, entirely off-road itinerary stretching roughly 125 km through Ireland's ancient heartlands.

The terrain transitions beautifully: you begin with a tranquil, 200-year-old canal towpath and finish on a perfectly paved, defunct mid-19th-century railway line.

Route Overview & Strategy

• Total Distance: ~125 km (Leixlip to Mullingar: ~82 km via Royal Canal; Mullingar to Athlone: 43 km via Old Rail Trail).
• Terrain: Perfectly flat. Leixlip to Mullingar is a mix of smooth asphalt and highly compacted fine gravel. Mullingar to Athlone is entirely smooth, sealed tarmac.
• Logistics: Highly accessible by train. Both Irish Rail's Sligo line (serving Leixlip, Maynooth, and Mullingar) and the Galway/Westport line (Athlone) mean you can easily logistics-hop by rail.
• Suggested Pace: 2 Days (Overnighting in Mullingar is the sweet spot, breaking the trip into an 82 km day and a 43 km day).

The Master Plan

1. Leixlip to Enfield (~28 km | The Canal Launch)
   Hop onto the Royal Canal Greenway at Leixlip (Confey or Louisa Bridge stations). You'll immediately cross the massive Ryewater Aqueduct, a stunning piece of 18th-century industrial engineering that carries the canal high over the railway line and river. Cruise past the vibrant university town of Maynooth and the pretty harbor village of Kilcock before pulling into Enfield for a well-earned coffee.
2. Enfield to Mullingar (~54 km | The Quiet Midlands)
   This is a longer, incredibly peaceful stretch through rolling pastures and quiet peat bogs. Watch for old stone arched bridges and working canal locks. Keep an eye out for wildlife like herons and swans. You will roll directly into the historic market town of Mullingar, the ideal midpoint to unpack, grab dinner, and stay the night.
3. The Mullingar Pivot (Transition Point)
   At the Newbrook Roundabout in Mullingar, you will officially leave the canal towpath and pivot southwest onto the Old Rail Trail. Look for the specialized greenway signposting that switches you onto the old Midlands Great Western Railway line.
4. Mullingar to Moate (~28 km | Railway Heritage)
   The feel changes instantly: you're now on wide, flawless tarmac sheltered by a canopy of trees and hedgerows. You will cycle right past flawlessly restored, red-brick Victorian station houses at Castletown and Streamstown. Stop at the Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park just before entering Moate for a snack.
5. Moate to Athlone (~15 km | The Shannon Finish)
   The final stretch cuts through the tranquil Crosswood Bog nature area. As you hit the outskirts of Athlone, the trail brings you directly to Whitegates. Follow the cycle lanes a few minutes further to the River Shannon Marina and celebrate under the shadow of the majestic, 800-year-old Athlone Castle.

💡 Practical Trail Tips

• Mind the Edge: While the route is universally rated as "Easy" and flat, the canal section has soft grassy shoulders and drops off directly into the water. If cycling with kids, keep them on the inside track.
• Bike Choice: Hybrid or touring bikes are absolute perfection here. Road bikes handle the Rail Trail effortlessly but might find a few gravelly patches of the canal a bit jittery during wet spells.
• The Ghost of the 13th Lock: Keep an eye out for the 13th Lock on the canal section—old canal boatmen famously refused to tie up there overnight because they believed it was haunted.
• Side Quest: When passing Streamstown on the Rail Trail, the ancient Hill of Uisneach (the mythological center of Ireland and seat of the High Kings) is just a short, highly recommended detour to the north.