Grand Canal Way

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

Start your trip at any of the Trailheads along the Grand Canal Way which conveniently divide the 117km trail. 

Please be aware that while you can begin at any Trailhead, services may be more limited in smaller ones. 

While trail conditions are easy, and the route is almost entirely flat (with some inclines at bridges and road crossings), traversing the full length of the route, or extended sections of it, requires some level of fitness and experience. We recommend dividing the trail into sections over a period of 5 to 6 days to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. 

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 Grand Canal 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;

• Dublin
• Kildare
• Offaly
• Laois 

Although there are no dedicated toilet facilities along the Grand Canal 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.
 

Large sections of the trail have uneven surfaces and may cause those with mobility issues difficulties. We recommend checking the completed sections of the greenway before planning your visit.

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 Dublin, Kildare, Sallins and Tullamore. 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.

We recommend trail users park in designated areas along the trail. Additionally, free on-street parking is usually available in most towns along the trail route.

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, but must be kept on a lead at all times for their safety and the safety of other users. Remember to be mindful of other users' varying comfort levels around animals, and always clean up after your pets. 

Anglers are welcome and present along the Grand Canal Way. Trail users are encouraged to respect each other and allow enough space on the trail for everyone to enjoy. 

Approval from Waterways Ireland is required for any organised event on the Grand Canal 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.
 

Large sections of the trail have uneven surfaces and may cause those with mobility issues difficulties. We recommend checking the completed sections of the greenway before planning your visit.