Royal Canal Greenway

Maynooth Longford

Distance

151.6km

Elevation

67m

Time

Cycling: 10h 6m

Walking: 30h 19m

Difficulty

Active

Surface Finish

Mixed

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Overview

The Royal Canal Greenway is Ireland’s longest off-road walking and cycling route, stretching 130km from Maynooth in County Kildare through Enfield and Mullingar to Cloondara in County Longford, where the canal meets the River Shannon. Running along the original towpaths of the late-18th-century Royal Canal, the trail is a living heritage corridor that combines tranquillity with easy access. With its flat gradients and varied surfaces, the Greenway is suited to all abilities, whether you want a short stroll, a family bike ride, or a multi-day cycling adventure.

Along the way, you’ll encounter a rich collection of canal features, including cut-stone bridges, harbours, lock gates and the occasional lock-keeper’s cottage. Towns such as Kilcock, Enfield and Mullingar provide welcoming stop-offs with cafés, shops and accommodation, making it easy to plan your journey in stages. The Greenway also links to train services in several towns, allowing visitors to combine cycling or walking with rail travel. In spring and summer, wildflowers line the towpath, while autumn brings golden reflections on calm waters. Whether you’re exploring an hour from Dublin or heading west towards the Shannon, the Royal Canal Greenway is a linear park that connects city, town and countryside in a uniquely Irish way.

Maynooth – Enfield

28 km

Beginning in the university town of Maynooth, this section is accessible by rail and introduces users to the heritage of the Royal Canal. Passing Kilcock, with its marina and cafés, the route continues through farmland and meadows, with bridges and locks providing regular points of interest. Enfield offers food, rest stops and train access.

Enfield – Mullingar

Mullingar – Cloondara/Longford

Need to Know

The route between Leixlip and Dublin Port is not provided to a Greenways standard. This may mean that there is no formalised path (with a smooth surface), gradients may be steep and overhanging branches and obstacles may be present along the path.

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Amenities

Accommodation
Parking
Toilets
Shop
Food & Drink
Bike Hire
Tourist Information

Route connects with…

Old Rail Trail Greenway

Athlone Mullingar

Leisure

Distance: 43.4km

Cycling: 2h 54m

Walking: 8h 41m

The Old Rail Trail is a rural route through the heart of the Irish Midlands, starting in the bustling town of Athlone and continuing on the trackbed of a converted stretch of the Midlands Great Western Railway. The 43km journey takes us through rich fertile farmland, away from the hustle of towns, in a beautiful...

The Royal Canal Greenway runs through a diverse corridor of aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The canal itself is designated as a Proposed Natural Heritage Area (pNHA), valued for its aquatic plants and invertebrates. Notable species include the protected opposite-leaved pondweed (Groenlandia densa), which thrives in shallow, slow-moving water.

The canal margins and adjoining hedgerows support a wealth of biodiversity, from frogs and smooth newts to dragonflies and damselflies in summer months. Otters are regularly recorded along the towpath, using the canal as a feeding and commuting route. Birdlife is abundant: mallard, mute swan and moorhen are resident, while kingfishers and grey wagtails are common sightings around locks and weirs. The hedgerows and tree lines provide nesting sites for robins, warblers and tits, while bats use the canal as a foraging corridor, particularly around bridges and wooded cuttings. In autumn, the canal’s banks provide valuable food sources for redwing and fieldfare. Maintaining the ecological health of the canal is central to Waterways Ireland’s management, and Greenway users are encouraged to respect wildlife, keep dogs on leads and avoid damaging vegetation at the water’s edge. This ensures that the canal remains a shared space for both people and biodiversity to thrive.

Code of Conduct

To keep our greenways welcoming and safe for all users—walkers, cyclists, families, and wildlife alike—please review our Code of Conduct before you go.

Read Code of Conduct

Getting There

Whether you’re travelling by train, bus, or car, use these tools  to plan your route.

FAQs

Can I get to the route by rail?

Yes, the Dublin to Sligo train stops at several stations along the route, including Maynooth, Kilcock, Enfield, Mullingar, Edgeworthstown, and Longford. For timetables, visit irishrail.ie. Bus services are also available—see transportforireland.ie for details.

Can I access the route by bus?

Yes, bus services are available along the Royal Canal Greenway. For information on bus routes and timetables serving the greenway, visit Transport for Ireland.

News and Updates

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Maynooth–Leixlip Royal Canal Greenway Section Officially Opened by Minister O’Brien

Route Updates

26 Nov 2025

Maynooth–Leixlip Royal Canal Greenway Section Officially Opened by Minister O’Brien

Kildare County Council is delighted to announce the official opening of the Maynooth to Leixlip section of the Royal Canal Greenway. The official opening...

Rathkeale Trailhead Officially Opens as Mayor and Minister Unveil Major Greenway Upgrade

The Rathkeale trailhead facility was officially opened today, by the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jerry...

Louth County Council Completes Carlingford Lough Greenway Connecting Newry and Carlingford

Louth County Council, in partnership with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and East Border Region, is proud to announce the completion of the Carlingford...