Royal Canal Way

Royal Canal Way

Royal Canal Way
4.5
About
The Royal Canal Way is a 146km cycle route across Ireland without any hills. It follows the bank of the Royal Canal which was built 1789-1817. The route is on gravel, grass, mud and tarmadadam. Flora and fauna are completely undisturbed. There is some beautiful 18th cent engineering to be seen.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles47 reviews
Excellent
28
Very good
12
Average
6
Poor
0
Terrible
1

FarAway61548836148
Christchurch, New Zealand2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Solo
This cycleway well deserves its inclusion in the Euro-Velo stable. It is flat and sealed most of the way. The scenery is beautiful especially in late spring early summer. Ireland needs to treasure this cycleway and perhaps advertise it more vigorously. The day that I was riding it there were very few cyclists.
Written 6 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

wesjf
Ballinasloe, Ireland24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021 • Family
Decided to do a stretch of the local greenway today, 20km from Ballynacarrigy to Ballymahon.
Great amenity to have nearby and will be great for the area.

One negative I noticed, nothing to do with the actual greenway (which is why I didn't deduct a star). I met around 20 other cyclists/walkers/locals outside their houses. About 5 of the 20 said hello, the others just stared blankly, not very welcoming. If the place is going to be popular with people not from the area it would be no harm for some people to say hello, or at the very least don't stare.
Written 17 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Grainybits
Dublin, Ireland45 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
Great day or days out on this surfaced greenway. Started from Longford (took train from Dublin the night before) and cycled back to Kilcock (c.120km 0830-1600hrs). Magic to be off road but on hard surfaces, beats Waterford for peace and quiet, if you want to get away from it all this is the Greenway for you. Only got busy after Enfield. Top tip; try Ballynacarrigy for coffee, Mullingar is too busy ( I didn't and regretted it).
Written 16 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kenneth B
1 contribution
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
We were four cyclists who were travelling from Galway to Dublin. We decided to travel the final section from Moy valley to Dublin along the Royal canal as we had read that this is now open to cyclists. There were many sections that were hazardous requiring us to leave the track and navigate our way round, without local knowledge we found this difficult as we did not know where the trail is safe to cycle. Many miles were cycled on the main roads. It should be made clear that that the Royal canal is not fully open to cyclists. An expected 3 hour ride turned into a long and frustrating 5 hours. Not a great cycling experience.
Written 19 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

louisemunster
Westport, Ireland97 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021 • Couples
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our day on the Royal Canal Way . Hired bikes at Mullingqr Harbour Hub , of Mullingar Bike Hire and cycled as far as Ballynacarrigy. Would highly recommend , quiet flat route , that even cyclists who hadn't cycled in years managed easily. Great day out , recommend a stop at Lock 26 at Coolnahay , Great coffee and picnic area 😀
Written 18 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jraf101
104 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Couples
Having done the Dublin side of this route as we were visiting Mullingar we decided to do some of the Mullingar to athlone route.
It was a very enjoyable peaceful cycle. Route is free from rubbish there is several benches if you wanted to stop off and chill. Plus it was good to see bins on the route if needed.
The only down side on this side of the route there really is no coffee/tea stop points as there is on the Dublin side.
Written 11 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MaryFB
Dublin, Ireland223 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
We cycled part of the Royal Canal Green way from Maynooth to Enfield and back again ( about 40km) on Sunday. It is a fantastic amenity.
Very easy cycle along the canal. Most of the track on this part is grit. When it is tarred you are sharing with other vehicles!
We will be back to cycle more stages as it is a great experience.
No facilities as such on Greenway but you pass by Kilcock & Enfield both towns with lots of eateries. We intended going as far as Moyvalley to visit Fureys pub but it is still closed.
We found a lovely little coffee shop in Enfield called Blackdog coffee.
We were allowed put our bikes out in their backyard & we dined in their outdoor space. Delicious homemade cakes & sandwiches & great coffee and very reasonably priced
Written 16 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rob Nesbit
Warsaw, Poland4,555 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2021
Sunday morning stroll with kids on a very short stretch of the Royal Canal Way, a small loop around the town of Mullingar. Was very pleasant and great to see so many people out getting some exercise, walking the dog, or just slow walking on the cold day that it was.
A nice walk and some interesting things to see on the loop.
Written 25 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HelenTravelBug
Limerick, Ireland198 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2021 • Couples
Took the morning train from Mullingar then had a lovely 65km spin back from Longford to Mullingar along the Royal Canal. Very quiet with fine natural scenery. Lots of herons and swallows enroute.
Very few stop-off options directly on the route - Corlea Trackway worth a visit and best snack option was Ballynacarrigy where we were royally welcomed at the McGuinness Shop on the corner. A must!
Note the Rustic Inn in Abbeyshrule was closed.
Written 9 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

motorcar1
Dublin, Ireland14,990 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2020 • Couples
Over the last two days, I walked along part of the 146km Royal Canal Way that reopened in 2010. The final spur to Longford Town is still closed. I walked two section in D15. The M50 Aqueduct is an amazing engineering feat. Waterways Ireland deserve credit here.
Written 17 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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ROYAL CANAL WAY: All You MUST Know Before You Go (2025)

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