If you really want to see the beauty of Belmullet there is no better way to do it than walking or cycling.
Belmullet offers a range of walking options to suit all, from short walks along blue flag beaches to stretching your legs along some of the most unspoilt and scenic trails along the West coast. The North Mayo Coastline is often said to be one of Irelands best kept secrets with its majestic cliffs, rugged headlands, and jagged stacks.
Belmullet has much to offer walking enthusiasts of all levels.
Blue Flag Beachs:
Belmullet can boast two beautiful Blue Flag beaches; Elly Bay & Mullaghroe, both located along the Mullet Peninsula.
Walking Loops:
Erris Head Loop Walk
Erris Head Loop offers a coastal walk along grassy paths, earthbanks & open ground. It is 5 km and takes approximately 1.5 - 2 hours to complete. From here you can see two of Erris's four lighthouses, meaning you are in some of the most scenic parts of the Mullet Peninsula.
View a clip from You Tube here of Erris Head Loop Walk here.
View reviews of Erris Head Loop Walk here.
The Children of Lir Loop
The Dun Chaochain Cliffs have featured in various walking guidebooks, including The Lonely Planet. The key feature to this walk is the Children of Lir Sculpture, one of a series from the Spirit of Place Sculpture Trail, which centres on culturally distince, historic and unspoilt regions around the world. A moderate 10k trail taking in the local coastline will take approximately 2.5hrs.
The Black Ditch Loop
Also takes in the local coastline, laneways, grassy tracks and bog roads. The key feature of the loop is the black ditch which runs parallel to the coastline and cliff tops and marked the land boundaries in previous times. This sod fence was built and rebuilt to prevent animals from falling over the cliff. Up until more recent times animal owners often decenced the cliff face to retrive sheep which had fallen onto ledges below....... an unenviable task! 13k trail will take approximately 3 - 3.5hrs to complete, one for the more experience walker but definately not to be missed!
The Bangor Trail
The Bangor Trail is a fairly rough, remote hiking trail waymarked from south of Bangor Erris through the Nephin Beg Mountain range to Newport. It is approximately 29k in length.
View Cycle Hub Maps Here
The Great Western Greenway is another wonderful facility the West of Ireland offers for walkers and cyclists alike
The Great Western Greenway is 42km and is the longest off road walking and cycling trail in Ireland and passes through some of the most stunning scenery in the West of Ireland. Located only 30 minutes from Belmullet, County Mayo.
The World Class Great Western Greenway is a traffic free cycling and walking trail which follows the route of the renowned Westport to Achill railway which closed in 1937. Its development has been made possible by agreement of local landowners who have allowed permissive access to users to pass through their lands.
The final section of The Great Western Greenway, linking Westport to Achill in Co Mayo, was officially opened by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
The Newport to Mullranny section of the greenway opened last summer and has attracted over 50,000 visitors to date.