Hop off the train at Plunkett Station, or park at one of the car parks nearby, just a couple of minutes from the start of the Greenway. Bike rental company Waterford Greenway Bike Hire is on hand with bikes and e-bikes, as well as having all the necessary safety equipment and trailers for the little ones. 

As you leave the city and weave your way along the banks of the River Suir, you’ll soon come across one of ‘the great gardens of the world’ at Mount Congreve Estate Gardens an 18^th century Georgian estate. Enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of their homemade cake out on the terrace of their little café. 

Listen out for the toot of the train at the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway, just 2km along the Greenway. Park up your bike to take a ride in a restored carriage and see parts of Waterford that can be accessed only by rail. After your quick stop, it’s back on the bikes and on to Kilmacthomas.

Waterford Suir Valley Railway

Autumn

Waterford Suir Valley Railway

Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford

Continuing along the Greenway, follow the winding path that wraps around the base of the Comeragh Mountains (don’t worry, the trail stays relatively flat) and runs underneath the towering arches of the Kilmacthomas Viaduct. Take a break at the popular resting point of Kilmacthomas. Or if you're a cyclist without your own wheels, start your expedition here and hire a bike from Waterford Greenway Cycle Tours and Bike Hire. 

Get a much-needed caffeine boost at Coach House Coffee. Set in the grounds of an old Famine workhouse, you can't miss it from the Greenway. Grab a seat on the patio with fellow cyclists and enjoy an expertly crafted latte in the sun. Make sure to pick up one of their tasty desserts for an energy boost before finishing off the remaining 23km to Dungarvan. 

As you begin to reach the end of the Greenway, the path sweeps around the stunning Dungarvan Bay and onto Clonea Strand. Stop off for a dip to cool down during the summer months on this Blue Flag Beach, or spend the afternoon exploring the rocks dotted along the strand.

Breathe in the sea air and continue to the Durrow Tunnel, a disused railway tunnel just outside the town of Dungarvan, for a look into the area’s recent past. Once home to colonies of bats, the tunnel is now well lit and a favourite for many cyclists. 

With 46km of scenic cycling behind you, reward yourself with a well-earned meal in The Local. Run by Donnchadh Gough, a member of the traditional music band Danú, you’ll find live music dancing across the stone floors at the weekend. Browse the hearty food menu and pick from homemade soups, filling sandwiches, or delicious seafood platters - exactly what you need after spending a day on the bike. 

After your meal, you can turn around and cycle the Greenway back to Waterford or spend the night in the lively harbourside town. Rental bikes can also be returned in Dungarvan with a bus service taking you back to your starting point in Waterford 45 minutes away. 

Walking the Waterford Greenway

The Waterford Greenway is a multi-use trail, which means that walking is also very popular. Shorter sections of the Greenway like the 1.5km from Waterford Institute of Technology to Killoteran or the 4km from Scartore to Dungarvan make for fantastic walks for people of all abilities.