The Barrow Way

The trail is mostly grassy towpaths, with short sections of surfaced path or gravel. 

Start your trip at any of the access points along the Barrow Way, conveniently dividing the 117km trail. Please be aware that while you can begin at any access point, services may be more limited in smaller ones. 

The trail is easy and flat, perfect for walkers, runners, and cyclists of all ages. The challenge lies in the distance, with access points approximately every 10 km, letting you choose how challenging you want your journey to be.

You can use mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, electric bikes, kids' bikes, and trailers for young children on the trail. Motorbikes, quad bikes, dirt bikes, and other large motorised vehicles are not allowed on the trail.

There are some bike rental services in trailheads but we recommend doing your research before you start.  

Bins are not provided along the trail. Please take your rubbish with you and dispose of it properly. If you're walking your dog, please clean up after them too. Rememebr to keep it clean and #LeaveNoTrace. 

There are wonderful places to visit along or close to the Barrow Way, from quirky eateries and stunning visitor attractions to bike hire providers. Please plan ahead and contact businesses directly for further information prior to planning your trip and to avoid disappointment.

For further information on the visitor services in each county, tourism websites are linked below;

• Kildare
• Carlow
• Laois 

Although there are no dedicated toilet facilities along the Barrow Way, cafes and restaurants in the nearby towns provide toilet services. We encourage trail users to support local businesses by purchasing refreshments for their journey.
 

The Barrow Way has uneven trail surfaces. People with mobility issues may have difficulty accessing large sections of the trail. 
 

Consider using public transport to and from trailheads for a convenient travel option. Most bike hire companies offer flexible pick-up and drop-off points. 

Iarnród Éireann provides public transport from larger trailheads at Carlow, Athy and Monasterevin. Note that space for bikes on trains is limited and may require advance booking. Check Bicycle Information for Rail Travel at irishrail.ie.

Bus Eireann provides routes to access points and trailheads across Ireland. Check their website for details. If starting from Dublin, check Dublin Bus for bus route times and prices.

You can park your car at trailheads and access points along the trail. Please ensure that your car is parked safely off the road and is not blocking access or causing obstruction to any roadway.

If a car park is full, find an alternative secure location to park, avoiding any blockage for others.

For the safety of all users, including runners and walkers, horses are not permitted on the towpaths or trails. 

Dogs are welcome on the Barrow Way, but they must be on a short lead at all times for everyone's safety, including your furry friends. Off-leash dogs or those on long leads can be hazards, particularly for cyclists. Considering the diverse users with varying comfort levels around animals, please be considerate and keep control of your pet. Also, remember to clean up after them.

Absolutely! Anglers are more than welcome on the Barrow Way. However, given the high number of visitors, it's important for anglers to be cautious about placing their equipment in spots that won't pose hazards to other trail users.

Approval from Waterways Ireland is required for any organised event on the Barrow Way.

We encourage those planning an event to submit an approval application at least 12 weeks in advance. This ensures proper safety planning, avoids conflicts with scheduled maintenance or development work, and provides ample time for successful event promotion.

You can fill in this form to submit an event request.
 

The Barrow Way has uneven trail surfaces. People with mobility issues may have difficulty accessing large sections of the trail.