Children have returned to school and summer is but a fleeting memory but autumn is perhaps the best time of all to discover the breathtaking natural beauty of the Old Rail Trail and Royal Canal Greenway in County Westmeath.
They offer wonderfully scenic walking and cycle routes that run alongside the old railway line and Royal Canal through the Hidden Heartlands. Cycle from the heart of Athlone town with its award-winning restaurants and cultural attractions, to Mullingar and on to Maynooth or Longford, without ever leaving these safe, off-road scenic routes. The brand-new Athlone Greenway Bridge brings pedestrians and cyclists across the mighty River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river and through the very heart of this buzzing town.
The Old Rail Trail is 43kms in total, it traces the historic Midlands Great Western Railway track, past restored station houses and under pretty stone arched bridges. From the River Shannon in Athlone to the Royal Canal in Mullingar, it passes through areas of unique biodiversity and heritage. For rest and refreshments, there are great options at Moate and a new Station House restored into a café in Streamstown.
Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park in Moate is a popular option as it includes a pet farm, parklands, trails, heritage tours and outdoor art displays Bike hire is available at Athlone and Mullingar and options for electric bikes, tandem and child friendly trailers are available. The Old Rail Trail is a must-visit for history buffs, as it features a plethora of information about the old railroad and its history. Entirely off-road and mostly flat, this greenway is very safe for families and perfect for a leisurely cycle or stroll.
The Royal Canal Greenway is a 130km off-road level cycling and walking trail meandering along the banks of the picturesque 225-year-old canal through Kildare, Meath, Westmeath and Longford. The greenway is a former towpath for barges featuring 90 bridges, 33 locks, 17 harbours and four aqueducts. Not only Ireland’s longest greenway, it’s also known for its scenic beauty, rich heritage and abundance of wildlife. The 165km self-guided National Famine Way also travels largely along the Greenway, following the footsteps of 1,490 emigrants who walked from Roscommon to Dublin at the peak of the famine in 1847. The beauty is the route itself and being out, immersed in colourful autumn scenery.
Both greenways are seamlessly linked so cyclists never have to leave the safety of the path and now with the opening of the brand-new cycle and pedestrian bridge across the River Shannon in Athlone town, a strategic link has been formed across the Shannon as part of a new Dublin to Galway greenway. So, before the clocks go back, encourage friends, family and children to take some time away from the screens and harsh fluorescents and enjoy the bright vibrant colours and the satisfying crunch of leaves underfoot.
