Youghal to Midleton Greenway

Youghal Midleton  Greenway

The Youghal to Midleton Greenway is an exciting new walking and cycling route in East Cork, following the corridor of the former railway line between the seaside town of Youghal and Midleton.

Running for approximately 23km, the route connects Youghal with Killeagh, Mogeely and Midleton, providing a largely traffic-free way to explore this part of County Cork by bike or on foot.

With its railway heritage, East Cork countryside and connections to two major towns, the Youghal to Midleton Greenway has the potential to become an important addition to Ireland’s growing Greenway network.

Youghal to Midleton Greenway at a Glance

Distance: Approximately 23km
Start/Finish: Youghal – Midleton, Co. Cork
County: Cork
Main locations: Youghal – Killeagh – Mogeely – Midleton
Route: Former railway corridor
Suitable for: Cycling and walking
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Route type: Linear

About the Greenway

The Youghal to Midleton Greenway follows the route of the former railway line connecting the two East Cork towns.

The railway corridor provides an ideal setting for a Greenway, with generally gentle gradients and a route that passes through the countryside while connecting directly with towns and villages along the way.

Between Youghal and Midleton, the Greenway passes through Killeagh and Mogeely, giving visitors several opportunities to stop and explore rather than simply travelling from one end of the route to the other.

The route also gives visitors the opportunity to combine a Greenway trip with a visit to some of East Cork’s best-known destinations.

The Route

Youghal

At the eastern end of the Greenway is Youghal, a historic seaside town situated at the mouth of the River Blackwater.

Youghal is an excellent place to build a full day or weekend around your Greenway visit, with its beaches, historic town centre, waterfront and plenty of options for food and refreshments.

Starting in Youghal, the Greenway follows the old railway corridor west towards Killeagh.

Youghal to Killeagh

Leaving Youghal behind, the route travels through the East Cork countryside towards Killeagh.

The former railway alignment helps keep gradients relatively manageable, making the Greenway suitable for leisure cycling as well as walking.

Killeagh provides a natural stopping point along the route and is a useful option for anyone who doesn’t want to complete the entire Greenway.

Killeagh to Mogeely

From Killeagh, the Greenway continues towards the village of Mogeely.

This section takes you deeper into rural East Cork and continues to follow the historic railway corridor towards Midleton.

For visitors looking for a shorter trip, the villages along the route make it possible to experience part of the Greenway without committing to the full journey between Youghal and Midleton.

Mogeely to Midleton

The western section of the Greenway continues from Mogeely towards Midleton.

Midleton is one of East Cork’s main towns and provides a strong destination at the end of the route, with cafés, restaurants, shops and visitor attractions.

For anyone cycling the Greenway from Youghal, arriving in Midleton also opens up opportunities to explore more of East Cork before making the return journey.

How Long Does It Take?

A reasonably fit leisure cyclist should be able to cycle the full route in approximately 2 to 3 hours, depending on pace and conditions.

But there’s little reason to rush it.

Allow additional time if you intend to stop in Killeagh or Mogeely, have lunch or coffee, take photographs or explore Youghal and Midleton.

For walkers, the individual sections between the towns and villages provide more manageable options than attempting the complete route in a single trip.

Remember that this is a linear Greenway, so anyone completing the full route needs to plan how they will return to their starting point.

Where Should I Start?

Both Youghal and Midleton are natural starting points for the Greenway.

Starting in Youghal gives you the opportunity to combine your cycle with the seaside town, beach and waterfront.

Starting in Midleton may suit visitors travelling from Cork City and the surrounding area.

For shorter trips, Killeagh and Mogeely can also provide useful access to sections of the route.

The best starting point depends on how far you want to cycle or walk and whether you’re planning an out-and-back journey or completing the Greenway in one direction.

Is the Youghal to Midleton Greenway Family Friendly?

The use of the former railway corridor and separation from normal road traffic for much of the route should make the Greenway particularly attractive for families and leisure cyclists.

You don’t need to cycle the entire 23km.

For families with younger children, choosing a shorter section and returning to the same starting point can be a much more enjoyable way of experiencing the Greenway.

Always take additional care at road crossings, access points and any sections where Greenway users interact with other traffic.

What Will You See Along the Way?

The Youghal to Midleton Greenway offers a mixture of railway heritage, East Cork countryside, villages and towns.

Rather than being centred around one major attraction, much of the experience comes from travelling through the landscape and discovering the communities situated along the old railway.

At either end, the character changes considerably.

Youghal brings the coast, River Blackwater and historic streets, while Midleton offers a busy market town with plenty of places to eat, drink and explore.

That variety makes the Greenway particularly suited to visitors who want to make the cycle part of a wider day exploring East Cork.

Food & Coffee

With Youghal and Midleton at either end and Killeagh and Mogeely along the route, there are opportunities to incorporate a food or coffee stop into your Greenway trip.

Rather than treating the Greenway simply as a 23km cycle, we’d recommend allowing time to stop along the way.

Greenways can bring visitors directly into smaller communities, and spending locally is one of the ways these routes can provide a wider benefit to the towns and villages they connect.

Things to Do Nearby

There’s plenty to explore beyond the Greenway itself.

At the Youghal end, visitors can explore the historic town, waterfront and beaches or spend some time around the mouth of the River Blackwater.

At the opposite end, Midleton provides restaurants, shopping and attractions, while its location makes it a useful base for exploring the wider East Cork area.

This makes the Greenway particularly suitable for a weekend trip where cycling is only one part of the visit.

Bike Hire

If you don’t have your own bike, check for bike-hire services operating in the area before travelling.

If you’re planning to cycle the Greenway in only one direction, it’s particularly important to ask about collection, shuttle or return options.

Opening hours and availability can vary throughout the year, so booking ahead is recommended.

Parking

Parking and access options are available in the towns and villages along the route.

Where possible, use designated Greenway or public parking areas and always avoid blocking residential entrances, farm gateways or other local access.

For shorter trips, choosing a starting point somewhere along the route can allow you to create an out-and-back cycle suited to the distance you want to cover.

Getting There

Midleton is well connected with Cork City and the wider Cork area, making it a convenient starting point for many visitors.

Youghal is located on the eastern side of County Cork close to the Waterford border and is accessible from both Cork and Waterford.

If you’re completing the full Greenway in one direction, check your transport options before setting out rather than waiting until you reach the other end.

Greenways Ireland Tip

Don’t just cycle it – make a day of it.

Start with breakfast or coffee, cycle a section of the Greenway, stop somewhere along the route and leave enough time to explore Youghal or Midleton.

A Greenway isn’t just about the kilometres travelled. It’s also a way of discovering the towns, villages, businesses and attractions that surround it.

Explore the Youghal to Midleton Greenway

The Youghal to Midleton Greenway brings together many of the ingredients that make a great Greenway: a former railway line, manageable gradients, towns and villages along the route and plenty to discover nearby.

Whether you’re planning to cycle the entire route or simply explore a shorter section, it’s a new way to discover East Cork at a slower pace.

Greenways Ireland will continue to update this guide with route information, parking, bike hire, places to eat, accommodation, things to do and the latest developments along the Greenway.

Last updated: September 2026

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