Midleton to Youghal Greenway

Midleton Youghal

Distance

22.9km

Elevation

29m

Time

Cycling: 1h 32m

Walking: 4h 35m

Difficulty

Leisure

Surface Finish

Bitumen bound macadam

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Overview

The Midleton–Youghal Greenway is a 23km route in East Cork that breathes new life into the long-closed Midleton–Youghal railway. Connecting the bustling town of Midleton, with its rail link to Cork city, to the medieval port of Youghal, the Greenway provides a safe and scenic corridor for walkers, cyclists and families. Officially completed in 2024, it delivers an off-road trail through farmland, villages and wooded valleys.

Along the way, users can explore the village of Mogeely, pause in Killeagh with its lively pubs and shops, and detour into Glenbower Wood, a community-owned forest with trails and historic follies. The route’s gentle gradients and wide paved surface make it accessible to all ages, with multiple access points and car parks enabling short visits or full-day adventures. At its eastern end, Youghal rewards visitors with sandy beaches, heritage landmarks such as St Mary’s Collegiate Church, and a restored waterfront. The Greenway is more than a path—it is a connector of towns, a showcase of East Cork’s natural and cultural assets, and a sustainable transport link that encourages both local use and visitor exploration.

Midleton to Mogeely

8km

The trail begins at Midleton Station, offering seamless connection with train services to Cork.

Midleton is a charming market town which serves as a fantastic start or end point for exploring the Greenway. Make time to dine at one of the town’s award-winning restaurants, cosy cafes or gourmet bars. East Cork’s rich agricultural surroundings make Midleton a culinary heaven.

Other local places of note which are worth a visit include Midleton Distillery Experience and the striking ‘Kindred Spirits’ sculpture in remembrance of the Choctaw people’s generous donation to the Irish people during the Famine.

This section passes farmland and hedgerows that are rich with wildflowers in summer. Mogeely, once a small stop on the railway, now serves as a handy rest point with cafés and facilities.

Mogeely to Killeagh

Killeagh to Youghal

Need to Know

On occasion, fun runs, cycles or similar events may be organised to take place on the Greenway. Such events are subject to agreement by Cork County Council and there is a formal process in place for applications for events on the Greenway. More information on this process can be found on . The Midleton Youghal Greenway Park Run takes place from Midleton Trailhead each Saturday morning at 09:30.

Cork Bike Hire: https://corkbikehire.com/
Youghal Bike Rental: https://youghalbikerental.com/

Amenities

Parking
Bike Hire
Restaurant
bike-repair
picnic-area
bus-stop
Café
Train Station
Accommodation
Accessible
Toilets
Bike Parking
Water Fountain
Picnic Area

The Midleton–Youghal Greenway traverses a mosaic of farmland, hedgerows and woodland habitats. The hedgerows are particularly rich in biodiversity, supporting pollinators such as honeybees, bumblebees and butterflies, while providing nesting habitat for birds like blackbird, wren and chaffinch. Glenbower Wood, accessible from Killeagh, is a biodiversity hotspot, containing oak, ash and beech trees alongside understory species such as holly, hazel and ivy.

The woodland supports a wide variety of fungi, mosses and ferns, as well as mammals such as red squirrel and pine marten. Birdlife in the wood includes treecreeper, jay and woodpecker. Towards Youghal, the trail approaches the Blackwater Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA 004028), an internationally important site for wintering waterfowl such as wigeon, teal and curlew. The estuary also supports little egret and kingfisher, along with migratory salmon and lamprey in its tidal waters. The variety of habitats encountered on this Greenway make it a corridor not only for people but also for wildlife, linking inland agricultural zones to one of the most significant estuarine ecosystems in Ireland. Users are encouraged to respect signage, especially near sensitive estuary margins, and to keep dogs on leads in areas frequented by ground-nesting birds.

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 Midleton–Youghal Greenway is directly accessible from Midleton Train Station, which is part of the Cork suburban rail network. Regular and frequent services run between Midleton and Kent Station in Cork City, where you can connect to the national rail network. For current timetables, visit irishrail.ie.

Can I access the route by bus?

Yes. The Midleton–Youghal Greenway can be accessed by bus, with Bus Éireann providing several local routes that stop near the greenway, including services from Cork to Midleton, Youghal, Cloyne, Whitegate, and Ballinacurra. Expressway Bus Route 40, among others, also connects Cork to Youghal, making bus access convenient for those traveling from Cork City and surrounding areas.

News and Updates

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Cork County Council Opens Extensions to Clonakilty and Bandon Active Travel Routes

Route Updates

02 Oct 2025

Cork County Council Opens Extensions to Clonakilty and Bandon Active Travel Routes

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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...