Overview
The Western Way (Bealach an Iarthair) runs 179 km (111 mi) from the fishing town of Oughterard, on the western shore of Lough Corrib, to Ballycastle on the north Mayo coast. It is a National Waymarked Trail, graded moderate and marked with a yellow arrow on a black background, and it is usually walked over about seven days. In between it crosses the Maumturks at the Mám Éan pilgrimage pass, drops to Killary fjord and skirts the base of Croagh Patrick before disappearing into the bogs of the Nephins. From Ballycastle the waymarked route can be carried on along the coast through Killala and Ballina to the County Sligo border near Bunnyconnellan, over 200 km from the start.
If you are only walking one section, make it the Galway leg from Oughterard over Mám Éan to Leenane – the most dramatic, and the best served for a bed at the end of the day. Dogs are not permitted on any part of the trail.
Route highlights
Galway section: Oughterard to Leenane
The 55 km Galway leg is the stretch most walkers come for, usually done in two to three days. From Oughterard the path follows the shore of Lough Corrib before turning inland toward the Maam valley, ground surveyed in the early 19th century by the Scottish engineer Alexander Nimmo, who planned much of Connemara’s road network. The route crosses the Maumturks at Mám Éan (Maumeen Pass), a pilgrimage site since early Christian times, marked by a small stone oratory. At 259 m it is the high point of the Galway section, with a long view down the valley.
Descending into the Inagh Valley, the trail winds between the Twelve Bens and the Maumturks, the ground shifting to quiet forestry tracks, open moorland and timber bog bridges. The leg ends at Killary Harbour, one of Ireland’s three glacial fjords, with the village of Leenane the traditional finishing point.
Mayo section: Aasleagh to Ballycastle
Entering Mayo at Aasleagh, the trail covers roughly 124 km. It skirts the eastern slopes of Croagh Patrick before dropping into Westport, a useful resupply stop, then heads north through Newport and into the Nephin Mountains, where the ground turns remote and bog-bound. This is the most inaccessible part of the whole route. From Ballycastle the waymarked way carries on as a coastal path through Killala to Ballina, where the broad floodplain of the River Moy is a flat contrast to the mountains behind, and on toward the Sligo border, from where walkers can pick up the Sligo Way.
History and landscape
The Western Way follows ground that has shaped the west for centuries. Mám Éan has drawn pilgrims since early Christian times, and the glens of the Inagh valley carry the marks of the Great Famine and the emigration that followed. Its wildlife is layered too: Connemara’s peat bogs support meadow brown butterflies, rare mosses and otters along the riverbanks, while the higher slopes hold red deer and pine martens. Coastal sections bring gulls, razorbills and seasonal puffins.
Practical information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Length | 179 km (111 mi) – roughly 55 km in Galway, 124 km in Mayo |
| Endpoints | Oughterard to Ballycastle (waymarked route continues to the Sligo border, over 200 km) |
| Typical Duration | 7 days for the full route; 2–3 days for the Galway section |
| Grade | Moderate (uneven surfaces, boggy sections, some steep climbs) |
| Waymarking | Yellow arrow on black background |
| Terrain | ~40% minor roads, ~60% off-road (tracks, boardwalks, open moorland) |
| Dogs | Not permitted anywhere on the trail |
| Admission | Free |
| Current Closures (2026) | 2 km boardwalk near Lackavrea closed; Ashleagh River section closed due to heavy rainfall; Bellacorick to Bunnyconnellan closed until further notice; temporary diversions on the Westport Greenway due to roadworks. Check thewesternway.ie before setting out. |
Getting there and logistics
Transport: Bus Éireann and Citylink services run from Galway city to Oughterard and on to Clifden. If driving, the N59 gives direct access to Oughterard, with free parking in the town centre and at the Maam Community Centre. Accommodation: Lodging is sparse between Oughterard and Leenane. Small B&Bs, guesthouses and hostels are scattered through Oughterard, Maam Bridge, Leenane and Westport. Book well ahead, particularly in July and August. Weather and safety: Irish weather turns quickly. Waterproof layers, sturdy boots and a warm mid-layer are non-negotiable. Carry a charged phone, tell someone your daily route, and stick to the waymarked path to respect private land. Timber bridges and bog tracks are slick after rain. Navigation: The trail is well marked, but the HiiKER app is widely used for GPS tracking and offline waypoints, and official PDF maps are available to download.
Events and seasonal notes
The Connemara Western Way Annual Walking Marathon and Half Marathon takes place each August, starting at Maam Community Centre and covering the stretch between Killary Harbour and the Maam valley, mostly on flat green roads and forest tracks. Spring brings wildflowers to the bogs and skylarks to the moor; autumn turns the valley foliage gold against the quartzite. Winter walking is possible but needs experience, as boardwalks may be closed and conditions can be severe.
Maps and guidebooks
- Ordnance Survey Discovery Series: Sheets 37, 38, 44, 45 (1:50,000 scale)
- Folding Landscapes: Western Way (Galway) Map Guide and Mountains of Connemara by Joss Lynam
- EastWest Mapping: The Western Way guidebook
- Michael Fewer: The Waymarked Trails of Ireland
The one thing that will catch you out is closures on the remote Mayo sections, so check the trail status and your accommodation before you leave, pack a proper map, download offline navigation and allow extra time for boggy ground.