Ballycroy is a region situated on Ireland's western seaboard in northwest Mayo, characterized by its untamed wilderness and diverse natural features. The landscape is dominated by the Nephin Beg mountain range and includes the Owenduff Bog, one of Western Europe's last intact active blanket bog systems. This area provides a setting for several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more, offering a sense of tranquility and an opportunity to explore a unique environment.
49
Routes
4.4
(128)
Average rating
1467
People visited

4.7
(43)
142
hikers
10.0km
03:27
280m
270m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.6
(10)
38
hikers
8.89km
02:20
70m
70m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
32
hikers
1.90km
00:29
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(4)
17
hikers
5.60km
01:42
110m
110m
Hard hike. Great for any fitness level. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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5.0
(1)
111
riders
95.7km
04:06
780m
780m
Hard road ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

31
riders
49.1km
02:00
310m
310m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
15
riders
20.9km
00:54
190m
190m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

16
riders
70.1km
03:03
630m
630m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(2)
9
riders
67.9km
04:01
430m
430m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
31.4km
02:27
400m
400m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
1
riders
22.0km
01:20
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
31
riders
21.1km
01:17
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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1.0
(1)
3
riders
22.2km
01:50
260m
260m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
1
riders
61.7km
04:39
840m
840m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

78.0km
04:47
410m
410m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
4
riders
26.7km
01:37
290m
290m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4
runners
9.04km
00:57
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
7.98km
00:51
90m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

17.6km
01:50
110m
110m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
15.2km
01:38
170m
170m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.
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Ballycroy offers opportunities for hiking, jogging, touring cycling, and mountain biking. The region, primarily within Wild Nephin National Park, features a diverse landscape suitable for various outdoor pursuits. Komoot users have rated routes in Ballycroy with an average of 4.49 stars.
Yes, Ballycroy offers several easy hiking options. The 1.2-mile (2km) looped Tóchar Daithí Bán Nature Trail at the Visitor Centre is suitable for all abilities. Another gentle option is the 1.2-mile (2km) Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail, which includes a boardwalk section.
For experienced walkers, Ballycroy offers more challenging routes. The Letterkeen Loop trails range from 3.7 miles (6km) to 7.5 miles (12km). The remote Bangor Trail is a demanding 25-mile (40km) route through the Nephin Beg range, requiring strong navigational skills. The ascent of Nephin peak, at 2,644 feet (806m), is also an option for seasoned hikers.
Ballycroy has trails suitable for families, such as the Tóchar Daithí Bán Nature Trail and the Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail. These are gentle and accessible, providing an enjoyable outdoor experience for various age groups. More information can be found in the Family-friendly hikes around Ballycroy guide.
Ballycroy offers diverse cycling routes, including sections of the renowned Great Western Greenway for traffic-free touring. Other options include the Dooriel loop, which features mostly paved surfaces. For more detailed information, consult the Cycling around Ballycroy guide.
Yes, Wild Nephin National Park in Ballycroy includes dedicated mountain biking routes. Options like the Western Way - Mayo Loop, which is 13.8 miles (22.2km), are available. The Wild Nephin Way is a 56-mile (90-kilometer) bikepacking route that combines gravel and paved sections through the rugged landscape. Refer to the MTB Trails around Ballycroy guide for specific options.
Ballycroy is characterized by the Nephin Beg mountain range and the Owenduff Bog, one of Western Europe's last intact active blanket bog systems. The region also offers panoramic views of Achill Island and the Atlantic Ocean. It is home to the Mayo Dark Sky Park, an internationally recognized Gold Tier standard International Dark Sky Park.
Wild Nephin National Park is distinguished as Ireland's only true designated wilderness, covering more than 27,000 to 37,000 acres (11,000 to 15,000 hectares) of uninhabited terrain. It provides a sense of tranquility and an opportunity to explore an unspoiled environment. The park's diverse ecosystems support a wide array of wildlife.
Ballycroy has attracted more than 2,000 visitors who have shared their experiences on komoot. The routes in the region have received an average rating of 4.49 out of 5 stars from over 450 ratings.
The official website for Wild Nephin National Park (Ballycroy Visitor Centre) is www.wildnephinnationalpark.ie. For direct inquiries, the Ballycroy Visitor Centre can be reached by phone at +353 98 49888.
Yes, komoot offers a guide specifically for running trails in the area. The easier, well-maintained trails like the Tóchar Daithí Bán Nature Trail and the Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail are suitable for jogging. More details are available in the Running Trails around Ballycroy guide.

