Walking in Co. Mayo in the West of Ireland

Walking in Co. Mayo

Because of the large variety of its landscape, the county of Mayo offers multiple possibilities as regards excursions.

Indeed, one can pass from low-lying lake-lands in the east, to a mountainous area on the west coast.

The experienced hiker will be delighted, because each excursion will be a new discovery.

The occasional walker will not be disappointed either, because Mayo has plenty of places where hikers can walk by themselves.

We will now give a brief description of the main places visited by the amateur hikers in the county of Mayo.

Please remember to adhere to the seven principles designed to help you to protect the natural environment and the unique Mayo's habitats. Our countryside is a precious natural resource, VISIT WITH CARE!

Here are some of the most interesting and challenging Mayo trails.

There are guides indexing all the marked out paths and these can be obtained from your nearest tourist information centre or read more information about your destination on our website under the section Town & Villages.

HISTORICAL WALKING TOUR OF CASTLEBAR

A Guided Historical Walking Tour of Castlebar, Castlebar Heritage Trail, will be held each Saturday during the months of July and August.

The tours will commence each evening at 11am from The Imperial Hotel, The Mall, Castlebar. Your guide will be Brian Hoban, Local Historian & Bord Failte Approved Tour Guide.

Family Walks

Mayo is a family friendly county, there are some walks suitable and enjoyable for all family and younger children, easy to walk. Discover where your children can burn off their excess energy.

The Great Western Greenway

The 42km Great Western Greenway from Westport through Newport to Achill is Irelands' longest off road cycling and walking facility.

Croagh Patrick Walk

Croagh Patrick, (765m) is the undisputed 'holy mountain' of Ireland. Thousands of pilgrims journey to the top of Croagh Patrick each year. The views from the top are really breathtaking.

The Erris Head Loop Walk

The Erris Head Loop Walk is a 5 km long loop walk. It is part of a countrywide network of high-quality, where the walker can walk spotting spectacular views and discover the rich and varied wildlife of Erris.

Nephin Mountain Walk

The Nephin Mountain Walk is a breathtaking walk. Among the most interesting of Connaught's mountains is Nephin, which has been climbed and revered for generations.

Mweelrea Mountain Walk

The Mweelrea Mountain Walk is a hard walk. Mweelrea Mountain (814m) is the highest mountain in Connaught and is guarded on all sides by craggy slopes giving the impression that it is unconquerable.

Letterkeen Loop

The Letterkeen Loop is a Way Marked Route was officially opened in July 2000. The route of this walk combines a portion of the Bangor Trail and the Western Way.

The Bangor Trail

This path starts from Newport to arrive at Bangor, in the Barrony of Erris, while passing by the mountain Nephin Beg. It is a distance of 48km the majority of which depicts wild, unspoilt natural beauty at its best.

Achill Island

The island proposes 14 paths marked out and charted. The walks are classified into easy, average or difficult. Some are true excursions into the mountains.

Granuaile Loop Walk in Achill Island

Granuaile loop walk is a new scenic walking trail on Achill Island. Officially opened in Summer 2015, this walk offers stunning panoramic views on Ghráinne Mhaol's sea kingdom.

The Western Way

Beginning on the shores of Lough Corrib this famous trail winds its way through Connemara's Highlands including the great fjord of Killary harbour, skirting Croagh Patrick, Clew Bay, Westport , the north Mayo Coast and finishing in Ballina.

Bonniconlon Trails

Bonniconlon boasts a wild beauty and is an ideal walking and cycling base. All of the trails are suitable for mountain bike use and easily accessible. They cater for all levels of fitness.

Dun Caochain Walks

The Dún Caocháin peninsula is an area of great physical beauty in the Barony of Erris and boasts five spectacular walks. They go through various landscapes such as spectacular cliff scenery, dunes and beaches.

Belleek Forest Park

Belleek Forest Park, situated along the banks of the river Moy, just on the outskirts of Ballina, is 200 acres of woodlands and trees with up to 6 miles of forest pathways in an area of immense peace and tranquillity.

The Foxford Way and Foxford Loops Walks

The Foxford Way is a long distance walk of 56 miles which goes from Foxford to Kilsheshnan to Straide to Derryhick and back to Foxford again. In Foxford there are other very well developed trails, Foxford Loops Walks.

Rathlacken Court Tomb Trail - Lacken

Rathlacken Court Tomb Trail is one of the most outstanding walks in Lacken and is also suitable for mountain bike use.

Tochar Phadraig

From Ballintubber runs the old pilgrim road to Croagh Patrick, 22 miles (35.4 km) away, known as Tochar Phadraig, after Ireland's patron saint. Since 1987 it has become possible to walk the Tochar from Balla.

Tourmakeady Loop Walk

The Tourmakeady Loop Walk is a distance of 5km, through beautiful countryside including woodland paths, forestry roadway and some minor roads with wonderful glimpses of the Partry Mountains.

Owenwee Bog Walk

This 10.5 km long circular walk is a good half days walking through the upper Owenwee Valley. On your way through the valley you will discover the blanket bog habitat and its biodiversity.

Skelp Mountain Walk

The Skelp Mountain walk makes a circuit around Croagh Patrick. This 11km walk starts and finish at the entrance to Brackloon Woods.