Waterford Greenway

Waterford Dungarvin

Distance

119.8km

Elevation

238m

Time

Cycling: 7h 59m

Walking: 23h 58m

Difficulty

Leisure

Surface Finish

Bound finish

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Overview

The Waterford Greenway is one of Ireland’s longest and one of its most spectacular off-road walking and cycling trails, stretching 46 kilometres from the historic Viking city of Waterford to the lively coastal town of Dungarvan. Built along the former Mallow–Waterford railway line, it has become a flagship attraction in Ireland’s Ancient East, drawing visitors to explore a unique blend of heritage, nature and community life.

The Greenway takes you across eleven bridges, three viaducts and through a 400-metre atmospheric tunnel, with sweeping views of the River Suir, Comeragh Mountains and Dungarvan Bay. Along the way you can step off the trail to visit Mount Congreve Gardens, enjoy a short ride on the Waterford & Suir Valley narrow-gauge railway, or sample local produce in welcoming villages. Whether you choose to walk a short section with family, cycle the full distance, or pause for coffee in Kilmacthomas under its towering viaduct, the Waterford Greenway offers something for every pace and every season. With dedicated access points, bike hire, cafés and plenty of resting spots, it is a safe, inclusive and inspiring journey that connects city, countryside and coast in one continuous ribbon of adventure.

Waterford City – Killoteran

10.5 km

The Waterford Greenway begins at on Waterford City’s South Quays in Ireland’s oldest city, winding through the city’s outskirts along the River Suir into the countryside. Highlights include the historic Red Iron Bridge, the Thomas Francis Meagher Bridge, and the Woodstown Viking site. Discover Viking artefacts at Reginald’s Tower Museum in Waterford City, part of Waterford Treasures.

Killoteran – Kilmacthomas

Kilmacthomas – Durrow

Durrow - Clonea Road

Clonea Road – Dungarvan

Amenities

Parking
Café
Toilets
Restaurant
Water Fountain
picnic-area
bike-repair
Bike Parking
Playground

The Waterford Greenway is as much a journey through nature as it is through history. Running alongside the River Suir, through farmland and close to coastal habitats, the Greenway provides a continuous ecological corridor. At Carriganore, near the Waterford Institute of Technology campus, a designated biodiversity area showcases managed wetlands that attract dragonflies, frogs and nesting birds. The hedgerows that line much of the trail provide shelter and food for pollinators such as bumblebees and butterflies, and also serve as nesting sites for small birds like the wren, robin and blackbird.

Approaching Kilmacthomas, the elevated viaduct offers vantage points over open farmland where kestrels, buzzards and herons may be spotted. Further west, the Ballyvoyle Tunnel area provides damp, shaded conditions for mosses, ferns and liverworts, while the surrounding cuttings are rich with wildflowers including orchids and cowslips in summer. As the trail nears Dungarvan, the estuarine environment of Dungarvan Bay comes into view. This bay lies at the edge of the Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark and provides feeding grounds for curlew, oystercatcher and little egret. Seasonal migrations bring additional birdlife, while the tidal habitats also support a range of marine invertebrates. The Greenway highlights Ireland’s biodiversity in accessible, everyday settings.

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 nearest train station is Plunkett Station in Waterford City, Trains connect Waterford with destinations across Ireland. Timetables and tickets are available on the Irish Rail website.

Can I access the route by bus?

Yes. The Waterford City Bus Terminal, located on the City Quayside, is served by Bus Éireann, offering direct routes to Waterford and Dungarvan from Dublin, Limerick, and Cork. Local Link Waterford operates a network of local bus services connecting towns and villages along and near the Greenway. Timetables and route details are available on the Local Link Waterford website.

News and Updates

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

Offaly County Council proudly marked a significant achievement in its sustainable mobility and tourism strategy with the official opening of the new Ballycommon Trailhead as...

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

Cork County Council has officially opened extensions to two segregated pedestrian and cycle routes in West Cork. The ribbons were cut on the walkways in...

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...