The Western Way

Discover the wilderness of Galway 🏕️

Walk the 55km linear Western Way and you will experience the wilderness of County Galway in an unforgettable way. Beginning in the famous fishing town of Oughterard on Lough Corrib, the route follows the western edge of the lake northward into a spectacularly untouched landscape of mountain and bog as far as the village of Maam Bridge. This is where Scottish engineer Alexander Nimmo planned the modern roads of Connemara in the early 19th century.


From Maam Bridge, the route crosses the rugged great quartzite range of the Maumturk Mountains before descending into the lovely Inagh Valley and winding its way between the Twelve Bens and the Maumturks, across a melancholy landscape once populated by cottiers, to reach the shores of Killary Harbour and the idyllic village of Leenane. You can join this waymarked trail at various points for an excellent introduction to the beautiful and scenic wilderness of Connemara. The terrain consists of quiet roads, bog roads, open moorland, forestry tracks, mountain paths and timber bog bridges. Plan well, as accommodation is limited along the route.


Route Details

Oughterard > Maam > Maumeen > Inagh > Toorenacoona > Leenaun.
Total Distance: 55km / 34miles.
Longest Stage: Maam to Toorenacoona – 18 km/11 miles (plus 5km/3 miles off route to nearest accommodation).
Highest Point: Maumeen – 259m/850ft.
Estimated time: 2-3 days
Grade: Moderate
Dogs permitted: No
Terrain: 40% tarred road / 60% Off Road (rocky/grass/boardwalk)


How to get to the Western Way 🚌

Galway – Oughterard – Clifden
Bus Eireann (Route 419)
Citylink (Galway-Clifden-Letterfrack)


Western Way Galway Map 🗺️


Click here to view a map of The Western Way from Galway to Sligo.


The Western Way: what to expect


Maps and Guidebooks 📖

Map/Guide to the Western Way (Galway) published by Folding Landscapes.
Western Way Map Guide published by Ordnance Survey.
The Waymarked Trails of Ireland by Michael Fewer.
Mountains of Connemara by Joss Lynam published by Folding Landscapes.
Ordnance Survey Discovery Series Maps No. 37, 38, 44, 45, 1:50,000 (1.25in to 1 mile).


Western Way FAQs

How long does it take to walk the Western way?
To walk the entire 179 kms (111 miles) of The Western Way would take approx 7 days to complete. The Galway section from Oughterard to Leenaun is 55 kms and would take 2 to 3 days.

Where does the Western Way start and finish?
The Western Way route starts near the County Galway’s village of Oughterard with a path running along the banks of Lough Corrib (Ireland’s second largest lake) north to Maum. It then passes through the Inagh valley on its way to Killary Harbour, in Leenane.

At Aasleagh, the Western Way enters Mayo County. It then heads north, passing past Westport town and on to Newport, crossing the eastern slopes of Croagh Patrick. The trail crosses through the Nephin Mountains on its way to Derry, Bellacorick, and Sheskin, passing through the most inaccessible terrain. It runs along the coast from Ballycastle in north Mayo to Killala, Ballina, and on to the County Sligo border near Bunnyconnellan.

Can you cycle the Western Way?
No, although many sections of The Western Way do follow roads and well maintained paths, these sections are interspersed with rocky trails which cross streams and involve steep climbs up hills and over mountain passes which would not be suitable for cycling.

For further details and online maps for the Western Way click here.


Popular trail for...

hiking
long distance walks
Waymarked trails
connemara
national park
route maps
rural attractions
unique places
nature
watchable wildlife
forest trails
boardwalks

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