46 km · car free · city to coast
Cycle the Waterford Greenway from the city quays
The Waterford Greenway is one of Ireland's great days out: 46 kilometres of traffic-free cycling and walking along an old railway line, from Waterford city all the way to Dungarvan on the coast. It crosses three tall viaducts, slips through the 400 metre Ballyvoyle tunnel and finishes beside the sea. The trail begins at the quays beside Rice Bridge, about 150 metres from Number Nine, so you can roll from breakfast on Merchants Quay onto the Greenway in two minutes.
- 46 kmWaterford city to Dungarvan
- 100% off roadflat, surfaced, family friendly
- 3 viaducts + 1 tunnelthe old railway's greatest hits
- Freeopen year round, walk or cycle
The route in overview: exact local detail is signposted on the trail itself.
Starting from Number Nine
Number Nine sits on Merchants Quay in the middle of Waterford city, and the Greenway begins at the end of the quays beside Rice Bridge, about 150 metres from the front door. Follow the river out through Bilberry and you are in open country within ten minutes. Bike hire is available in the city and at the Dungarvan end, with e-bikes, children's bikes and trailers widely offered, and most operators run shuttles so you can ride one way and be collected. Bringing your own bike? Let us know before you arrive and we will help with overnight storage.
The route, stage by stage
Waterford City to Kilmeaden about 10 km
The trail begins right at the quays beside Rice Bridge, minutes from Number Nine, and hugs the wide River Suir past Bilberry with the water on one side and woodland on the other. Mount Congreve Gardens, one of the great gardens of the world, sits right beside the trail and makes an easy first stop. At Kilmeaden the heritage Waterford and Suir Valley Railway runs alongside the Greenway, so you may share the valley with a passing narrow-gauge train.
Kilmeaden to Kilmacthomas about 14 km
The river gives way to quiet farmland with the Comeragh Mountains rising ahead. This is the most peaceful stretch of the route, rolling gently through cuttings and over old stone bridges. It ends on the great viaduct at Kilmacthomas, high above the Mahon river, with cafes in the village below for the classic halfway break.
Kilmacthomas to Durrow about 12 km
The most dramatic engineering of the old railway is packed into this stage: deep rock cuttings, another towering viaduct at Durrow, and then the Ballyvoyle tunnel, 400 metres of curving darkness through the hillside that children (and most adults) love.
Durrow to Dungarvan about 10 km
The finale opens out to the Copper Coast, with the sea appearing on your left and a possible detour down to the Blue Flag beach at Clonea Strand. The trail sweeps around Dungarvan Bay and crosses the causeway into Dungarvan town, where the harbour, restaurants and ice cream are your reward.
Good to know
When to go
The Greenway is open all year. Summer weekends are the busiest; weekday mornings feel like you have the valley to yourself. There is little shelter on the exposed coastal stage, so pack a light rain layer.
Food stops
Cafes cluster at Kilmeaden, Kilmacthomas and Durrow, roughly one per stage, and Dungarvan has a full harbour town's worth of lunch options before the trip back.
Walking it
Walkers usually choose one stage rather than the full 46 km. The riverside stretch from the quays out past Bilberry starts two minutes from Number Nine, so you can walk as far as you fancy and simply turn back.
Getting back
Cycle both ways, book a bike-hire shuttle, or hop a bus from Dungarvan back to Waterford city. Our Getting Around Waterford page has live bus and train info.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Waterford Greenway and how long does it take?
The Greenway runs 46 km from Waterford city to Dungarvan along an old railway line. Most people cycle it one way in 3 to 4 hours at an easy pace with stops. Walkers usually pick a single stage rather than the full route.
Where does the Greenway start in Waterford city?
The trail now begins right at the quays beside Rice Bridge, about 150 metres from Number Nine on Merchants Quay, and runs out along the River Suir through the Bilberry trailhead about 1 km along. You can be on the Greenway within two minutes of leaving the front door.
Is the Waterford Greenway suitable for children and casual cyclists?
Yes. The route follows an old railway line, so it is almost completely flat, fully off road and surfaced the whole way. It is popular with families, and you can turn back at any point or just ride a short section such as Waterford to Mount Congreve.
Can I rent a bike for the Waterford Greenway?
Yes. Bike hire operators at both the Waterford and Dungarvan ends rent bikes, e-bikes, kids bikes and trailers, and most offer shuttle transfers so you can cycle one way and be driven back.
How do I get back to Waterford from Dungarvan?
Most bike hire companies include or offer a shuttle back to your starting point. There are also regular buses between Dungarvan and Waterford city. See our Getting Around Waterford page for bus and train details.
Does it cost anything to use the Greenway?
No. The Waterford Greenway is free to use year round, for both walkers and cyclists.
Make a stay of it
Number Nine is a boutique hotel on Waterford's Merchants Quay, ten minutes from the trailhead and steps from the city's restaurants and the Viking Triangle. Ride the Greenway one day, take in what's on in Waterford the next, or let our trip planner build the whole weekend around you.