Tralee – Fenit Greenway

N Kerry - Tralee Fenit
Distance
13.5km
Elevation
100m
Time
Cycling: 54m
Walking: 2h 42m
Difficulty
Active
Surface Finish
Bound asphalt surface
Tralee – Fenit Greenway
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Overview

The Tralee–Fenit Greenway is a 13.6km coastal route in County Kerry, running from the county town of Tralee to the seaside village of Fenit. Built along the alignment of the old Tralee–Fenit railway line, it offers a mix of rural calm and stunning seascapes. The trail begins close to Tralee town centre and quickly opens out into the countryside, with views of the Slieve Mish Mountains to the north. As you progress, the route turns seaward, delivering expansive panoramas of Tralee Bay.

The finish at Fenit is particularly rewarding: a lively fishing and leisure harbour with a sandy beach, marina, cafés and a striking statue of St Brendan the Navigator, one of Ireland’s legendary voyagers. The Greenway is fully off-road and surfaced, making it ideal for family outings, leisure cycling and walking. Along its length, the trail provides access to nature-rich landscapes and local communities, while also offering a sustainable, car-free way to connect the town with the coast. Whether you are looking for a short walk, a cycle with children or a scenic run, the Tralee–Fenit Greenway delivers coastal beauty and a strong sense of place in an accessible format.

Tralee – Cotter’s Bend

8.6 km

This first stage begins near Tralee town and quickly transitions into farmland and hedgerows. The gentle gradient and surfaced path make it accessible to all. Along the way, distant views of the Slieve Mish range provide a striking backdrop. Cotter’s Bend serves as a natural midpoint where users can rest before continuing.

Cotter’s Bend – Fenit

Need to Know

Ciars Quest – an Augmented Reality experience is launching on the Tralee-Fenit Greenway in Spring 2025. See https://ciarsquest.ie for more details of this free fun family adventure focusing on Biodiversity along the greenway.

The Tralee–Fenit Greenway passes through the Tralee Bay Complex Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA). These protected designations highlight the importance of habitats such as saltmarsh, mudflats and estuarine waters. The bay supports internationally significant populations of migratory and wintering birds, including brent goose, curlew, dunlin and oystercatcher. The mudflats are also feeding grounds for waders and wildfowl, while little egret and grey heron can be spotted along the shore.

Tralee Bay is known for its unique oyster beds, which sustain self-seeding native oysters, a rarity in Europe. The marine environment also supports populations of bottlenose dolphins and occasionally porpoises. Hedgerows along the inland sections of the Greenway provide habitat for small birds, butterflies and small mammals. Amphibians such as frogs are common in the wetter ditches. Visitors can experience this rich biodiversity from the path itself, with interpretation boards explaining key species. Respecting signage and keeping to the trail are essential, especially in sensitive coastal zones where disturbance could impact feeding and roosting birds. The Greenway thus functions as both a recreational facility and a window into one of Ireland’s most valuable coastal ecosystems.

Code of Conduct

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, train services are available to Tralee from Dublin, Cork, Limerick, and other stations around Ireland. The train station in Tralee is located at the trailhead, providing direct access to the route.

Can I access the route by bus?

Yes, the route is accessible by bus. Bus Éireann and Green Bus provide services to Tralee, and Local Link service #278 runs between Fenit and Tralee 7 times daily. The bus station in Tralee is located at the trailhead.

Are there any EV charging points among the routes?

Yes, EV charging facilities are available in Tralee.

News and Updates

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Offaly County Council Opens Ballycommon Trailhead Linking Grand Canal Greenway and Lough Boora

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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
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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...
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