Barrow Blueway Cycle Routes

Slow, scenic spins along the River Barrow and the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal in Ireland. Expect a mostly flat, traffic‑free towpath with a mix of compacted gravel and grassy stretches, passing locks, old bridges, and lock‑keeper cottages. Ideal for easy family rides or linking up longer point‑to‑point days.

Handy start/finish towns include Athy, Carlow, Muine Bheag (Bagenalstown), Graiguenamanagh, and St Mullins, with train options at Athy, Carlow, Muine Bheag, and Monasterevin for one‑way trips. You’ll find cafés near locks and in villages, but there can be quiet gaps—pack water and a snack.

Best on a gravel, hybrid, or MTB; skinny road tyres can feel bumpy or soft after rain. It’s a shared path, so mind walkers, anglers, dogs, and the occasional gate or rough patch.

Highlights? Leafy canal cuts, wide river bends, heritage locks from the 1700s, and relaxed waterside vibes across the Barrow valley. Easy pace, big views, no traffic—perfect blueway cruising.