The Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway is a traffic-free walking and cycling route running for approximately 30km between Navan in County Meath and Kingscourt in County Cavan.

Following the route of the former railway line, the Greenway travels through the heart of rural Meath before crossing into County Cavan, passing through Gibbstown, Wilkinstown, Castletown, Nobber and Kilmainhamwood along the way.

With a mostly gentle gradient, plenty of places to stop and a choice of shorter sections, it is a Greenway that works just as well for a family cycle as it does for anyone looking to complete the full route.

Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway at a Glance

Distance: Approximately 30km
Start/Finish: Navan, Co. Meath – Kingscourt, Co. Cavan
Counties: Meath & Cavan
Route: Mostly traffic-free former railway line
Suitable for: Cycling and walking
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Route type: Linear
Main locations: Navan – Gibbstown – Wilkinstown – Castletown – Nobber – Kilmainhamwood – Kingscourt

About the Greenway

The Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway follows much of the route of the old railway between Navan and Kingscourt.

Today, the former railway corridor provides a largely level route through countryside, woodland and a string of towns and villages across north Meath and south Cavan.

One of the big advantages of this Greenway is that you don’t have to tackle the entire 30km in one trip. The number of villages along the route makes it easy to choose a shorter section, stop for food or coffee, or arrange transport between different points.

Route Sections

Navan to Gibbstown – 3.7km

Starting at Blackwater Park in Navan, the Greenway begins its journey north towards Gibbstown.

This short section is a good option for anyone who simply wants to experience part of the Greenway without committing to a long cycle.

Gibbstown to Wilkinstown – 4km

From Gibbstown, the route continues through the Meath countryside towards Wilkinstown.

Wilkinstown is one of the most useful stopping points on the Greenway and a good location from which to begin a shorter out-and-back cycle.

Wilkinstown to Castletown – 4.5km

Leaving Wilkinstown, the Greenway continues north towards Castletown.

The former railway alignment means gradients remain relatively gentle, making this another accessible section for leisure cyclists and walkers.

Castletown to Nobber – 4.3km

The route continues from Castletown to Nobber, one of the principal villages along the northern half of the Greenway.

Nobber makes a natural stopping point if you’re breaking the route into sections rather than completing the entire Greenway in one day.

Nobber to Kilmainhamwood – 4.4km

From Nobber, the Greenway heads towards Kilmainhamwood, continuing through the rural landscape of north County Meath.

At just over 4km, this is another manageable section for families or anyone looking for a shorter cycle or walk.

Kilmainhamwood to Kingscourt – 7.1km

The final section is the longest individual stretch of the Greenway.

From Kilmainhamwood, the route continues north, crosses into County Cavan and finishes in Kingscourt.

If you’re cycling the complete Greenway from Navan, reaching Kingscourt marks the end of a journey of approximately 30km.

How Long Does It Take?

For most leisure cyclists, allow approximately 2½ to 4 hours of cycling time to complete the full Greenway in one direction.

However, we’d recommend allowing considerably longer if you want to stop for food, explore the villages or simply enjoy the route rather than treating it as a 30km time trial.

Walking the entire Greenway is a much bigger undertaking, but the individual sections between villages work particularly well for shorter walks.

Remember that this is a linear Greenway. If you’re completing the entire route, you’ll need to consider how you’re getting back to your starting point.

Where Should I Start?

There isn’t necessarily one correct place to start.

Navan makes sense if you want to cycle the complete route from south to north and has the advantage of being the largest town on the route.

Wilkinstown is useful for shorter trips and gives you options for travelling in either direction.

Nobber is another good starting point if you want to explore the northern sections without cycling the full route.

Kingscourt allows you to tackle the Greenway in the opposite direction, travelling south towards Navan.

Your best starting point will ultimately depend on how far you want to travel and, particularly for a one-way cycle, how you plan to return.

Is the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway Family Friendly?

The Greenway can be a very good choice for families because much of the route is separated from normal road traffic and the old railway alignment generally provides manageable gradients.

For younger children, we’d recommend choosing one of the shorter sections rather than attempting the full 30km.

Sections of approximately 4km between the villages also make it possible to create an 8–10km return cycle while finishing back where you started.

As with every Greenway, children should still be supervised, particularly around road crossings, access points and busier locations.

What Will You See Along the Way?

This isn’t a Greenway dominated by one spectacular landmark.

Its appeal is the journey through the rural landscape of Meath and Cavan, following a piece of transport history that once connected the communities along the route.

The old railway corridor gives the Greenway its character, while the towns and villages provide opportunities to leave the trail, get something to eat and discover a little more of the surrounding area.

It’s also worth remembering that you’re travelling through the wider Boyne Valley, one of Ireland’s richest areas for heritage and history.

Food, Coffee & Places to Stop

One of the best things about the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway is the number of communities situated along the route.

Rather than bringing everything with you and simply cycling from one end to the other, consider building a stop into your day.

You’ll find opportunities for food, coffee and other services in and around Navan, Wilkinstown, Castletown, Nobber, Kilmainhamwood and Kingscourt.

Supporting businesses in the towns and villages along our Greenways is also an important part of making these routes work for local communities.

Bike Hire

Don’t have a bike with you?

Bike hire options are available along the wider route. Always check opening hours, bike availability and collection/return arrangements before travelling, particularly outside the main summer season.

If you’re planning to cycle the Greenway one way, ask the bike-hire provider about transport or collection options.

Parking

Parking options are available at a number of locations along the Greenway.

Where possible, use designated Greenway or public parking areas and avoid blocking gateways, residential entrances or access required by local landowners.

If you’re planning an out-and-back trip, choosing your parking location carefully can also make it much easier to tailor the distance to your group.

Plan Your Trip

For a relaxed visit, don’t automatically aim for the entire 30km.

Choose a section, give yourself time to stop, explore one of the villages and enjoy the journey.

For those completing the full Greenway, the biggest thing to plan in advance is your return journey. A 30km cycle from Navan to Kingscourt is very achievable for many leisure cyclists; accidentally turning it into a 60km return cycle is a rather different day out!

Bring water, check the weather before travelling and remember that facilities and business opening hours can vary throughout the year.

Greenways Ireland Tip

Make the Greenway part of the day – not the entire day.

Stop for lunch. Have a coffee. Explore one of the villages. Visit another attraction nearby.

Greenways are at their best when they become a way of discovering the places they travel through rather than simply a route from A to B.

Explore the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway

Whether you’re looking for a short family cycle, a weekend walk or a 30km journey through Meath and Cavan, the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway offers plenty of options.

And as the route continues to develop, we’ll keep this guide updated with route information, places to eat, bike hire, accommodation, things to do and the latest Greenway news.

Last updated: September 2026