Waterford Greenway

The Waterford to Dungarvan railway closed in 1987 and reopened as a greenway in 2017, running forty-six kilometres almost entirely off-road on the old formation. The engineering is what distinguishes it: three tall viaducts including the Kilmacthomas viaduct over the Mahon river, and the Ballyvoyle tunnel, four hundred metres and unlit - riders go through it in the dark, and it is genuinely dark in the middle. The route runs from the city through farmland, past the Comeragh foothills, over the viaducts and along the coast above Clonea Strand into Dungarvan. Mount Congreve gardens and Kilmacthomas workhouse are along it. Gradients are gentle throughout. Bike hire operates at both ends with shuttle buses returning riders, which is what most people do rather than riding both ways. The surface is compacted gravel and sealed in sections, and it is busy on fine summer weekends.

What you actually see

• The viaducts - three of them, including Kilmacthomas over the Mahon.
• The Ballyvoyle tunnel - four hundred metres, unlit, and dark inside.
• The coastal section - above Clonea Strand into Dungarvan.
• The railway grade - gentle throughout, on the 1878 formation.

When to go

April to October. Bike hire and shuttles run year-round but are reduced in winter. Book shuttles in summer - one-way riding is the standard approach and returns fill.

Honest expectations

Forty-six kilometres is a full day for occasional cyclists. The tunnel is genuinely dark - a light helps. Busy on fine summer weekends. Shuttle buses need booking in season.

Nearby

Mount Congreve Gardens is near the Waterford end; the Copper Coast is south of Dungarvan.