Overview
The Westmeath Way links whiskey-making Kilbeggan to Mullingar in about 33 km of river bank, lakeshore and canal towpath. It is flat, easy walking – the kind you can finish and still have legs for the pub – and most people take it over two days, though a strong walker can do it in one long outing. The route runs through the fertile middle of County Westmeath, and it is marked throughout with a yellow arrow on a black background.
Before you plan a trip, one thing to note: at the time of writing there is no public access over the privately owned land between Ladestown and Keoltown Wood, and Westmeath County Council is asking walkers to stay off that stretch until further notice. Check the trail’s status before you commit to the full route.
If you want the best of the walk in an afternoon rather than the whole thing, take the Lough Ennell and Royal Canal stretch around Lilliput and skip the more road-bound sections at either end.
The route: from whiskey town to county town
Kilbeggan to Ballinagore The walk starts in Kilbeggan, a town known for its whiskey and its racecourse, from an information board behind the distillery. It follows the River Brosna through a corridor of riverside woodland and open fields, largely flat, with occasional stretches alongside quiet local roads.
Ballinagore to Lilliput (Lough Ennell) As the route nears the southern edge of Lough Ennell, the landscape opens to wide lake views and leads to the townland of Lilliput. The lakeside path here is well walked, popular with locals for short strolls and birdwatching.
Lilliput to Bellmount Bridge Leaving the lake, the trail joins the Royal Canal towpath: flat, firm and entirely free of traffic, this is the most relaxed part of the walk, its banks lined with mature trees and the occasional moored boat.
Bellmount Bridge to Mullingar The final leg mixes disused rail corridor, field edges and short road sections before dipping into the outskirts of Mullingar and on to the official finish near the town centre.
History and literary connections
The trail’s best-known story is at Lilliput. Local tradition holds that Jonathan Swift stayed with friends on the shores of Lough Ennell in the early 18th century and borrowed the townland’s name for the miniature nation in Gulliver’s Travels – a connection the place still trades on.
The Royal Canal carries its own history. Opened in the early 1800s to link Dublin with the Shannon, it once moved cargo barges and tow-horses; commercial traffic faded with the railways, but the towpath survived and has since been adapted for walking and cycling. The Westmeath Way itself was pulled together as part of a wider push to promote midland walking routes, with later work focused on signage, path surfaces and cutting down on road walking.
Practical information and planning
Waymarking and navigation Look for the yellow arrow on a black background at junctions and bends. In dense hedgerow or overgrown sections the markers can be hard to spot, so carry a printed map or an offline navigation app, especially in poor weather. Official trail maps are available through Sport Ireland.
Trail condition Be realistic about maintenance. Walkers have reported overgrown and neglected sections, and parts of the route close from time to time (the current Ladestown to Keoltown Wood restriction being the obvious one). Always check the Sport Ireland trail page or contact Westmeath County Council before a multi-day trip.
Dogs The official Sport Ireland listing records no dogs on the Westmeath Way. If you do walk a dog on the public towpath sections, keep it under close control and well away from livestock.
Accessibility The Royal Canal towpath is flat and firm, but stiles, field paths and uneven ground elsewhere make the route as a whole unsuitable for wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
Getting there and transport
Start: Kilbeggan The trail begins near Kilbeggan town centre, with on-street parking and the distillery car park close by. Kilbeggan is reached by car via the N52, with local bus services to Mullingar and Athlone.
Finish: Mullingar The route ends in the heart of Mullingar, which has direct Iarnród Éireann trains from Dublin Connolly (about 1 hour 15 minutes) and from Galway. Parking in town is mostly pay-and-display, so allow for a charge if you leave a car at the finish.
Suggested itineraries
- Two-day walk – Day 1: Kilbeggan to Lilliput (roughly 18 km), overnight in Lilliput or nearby Dysart. Day 2: Lilliput to Mullingar (roughly 15 km).
- One-day walk – Start early, carry water and food, and be ready for mixed surfaces; the flat terrain keeps the distance manageable, but the road sections need care.
Seasonal tips and trail conditions
- Winter – Riverbanks and towpaths turn wet and slippery. Waterproof footwear and layers are essential, and the short days mean planning to finish before dusk.
- Spring and summer – The best walking window. The lakeshore and canal are good for a picnic, and longer daylight makes navigation easier. Bring insect repellent, as standing water brings midges.
- Autumn – Strong colour through the woodlands and hedgerows, and misty mornings over the lake, though fallen leaves can hide the waymarks.
Nearby attractions
- Kilbeggan Distillery – Ireland’s oldest working whiskey distillery, with guided tours and a tasting room.
- Belvedere House Estate and Jealous Wall – Landscaped woodland walks and follies just outside Mullingar.
- Dysart – A quiet village on the edge of Lough Ennell, handy for a coffee stop.
- Fore – A short drive north, with the ruins of Fore Abbey and looped walks through old woodland.
- Athlone Castle – About 15 km west, with medieval architecture and views over the Shannon.
- Cathedral of Christ the King – A striking modern cathedral in Mullingar, worth a look after the walk.
Finish with a proper cup of tea in Mullingar, and check the official trail status a few days before you leave to be sure the sections you want are open.