Having just gotten bike racks that will support my mountain ebike, I decided to try out one of the greenways I was meaning to explore. The one I decided on the Royal Canal Greenway from Maynooth. The greenway is the longest off-road Greenway in Ireland, an impressive distance which will eventually join up to Galway. It’s been a long time since being on a bike, so I decided not to overdo it on my first day back, settling for a 29.4km trip as a reasonable distance.
I started out at the public parking nearby the train station, and set off in the direction of Kilbrook. I was impressed how beautiful the scenery along the canal was. Along the way there were lots of people taking advantage of the greenway either running, walking or cycling. I had also spotted quite a few people fishing along the river, or taking a swim albeit the temperature was still quite chilly.
The greenway is very well maintained, a little narrow in some places where on a bike one needs to slow down a bit and be careful around blind corners for any dogs or people. The path has smooth gravel along the way. I have a bike well able for off-road paths, but I’d imagine on-road bikes would do find on the path since it was quite smooth.
There are a few benches and picnic areas along the way for rest points. The paths I found along the way along roads were separated from the traffic so I would regard the greenway very safe.
Here is where I found parking:
Shells Adventures 