Walking & Cycling in Mayo
Near Great National Hotel Ballina
Mayo is ideal for walking holidays in Ireland. The landscape is untouched and has a lot to offer with its varied countryside, unique scenery and rich heritage. Whether one likes a stroll around the forest in Belleek Woods, within a few minutes reach of Great National Hotel Ballina, where one can walk safely, without traffic or would like to hike along the North Mayo Coastline with its rugged cliffs and sandy beaches, the walker will be spoilt for choice!
Croagh Patrick – Ireland’s Holy Mountain
The County of Mayo possesses an amazing variety of landforms, scenery, history and heritage. It is a haven for hillwalkers and lovers of the great outdoors.
Croagh Patrick has been a place of pilgrimage for 1500 years. The mountain is renowned for its Pilgrimages dating back to the time of St Patrick’s fast on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights in 441. Since this time the custom has been handed down faithfully from generation to generation to the present day. On the last Sunday of July, every year people come in their thousands to climb its slopes, some to look, most to pray and a lot still climb it barefoot.
Mount Nephin – Second Highest in Mayo
Among the most interesting of Connaught’s mountains is Nephin, which has been climbed and revered for generations. Nephin is a majestic mountain, which dominates the landscape for miles around.
Walks Ideal for the Family
Newport to Mulranny
The Great Western Greenway is the longest off-road walking and cycling trail in Ireland. Meandering along the old Newport -Mulranny railway, this 18km traffic-free route is well mapped and signed with no steep hills so perfect for a family day out.
Belleek Woods
Belleek Woods is a great family friendly walk situated along the banks of the river Moy. It is one of the largest urban forests in Europe with 200 acres of woodlands and trees up to 300 years old. The tree-canopy walk has lots of natural forest pathways which are great for little adventures with the children.
Cong Woods
In the picturesque village of Cong lies Cong Woods. The lovely 2km walk has an entrance beside the ruins of Cong Abbey, plenty of lovely benches to rest tired little legs and lots of places to feed the ducks.
Mayo is proud to have its own National Park in Ballycroy, where visitors will be informed about fauna and flora of the region. Families can enjoy the interactive exhibition and walk along the nature trail.
For further information on walking in Mayo, please visit the following sites:
www.mayowalks.ie
www.ballycroynationalpark.ie
www.mountaineering.ie