Tralee to Fenit Greenway
Overview
The Tralee–Fenit Greenway is a coastal route in County Kerry, running from the town of Tralee to the seaside village of Fenit offering breathtaking views of Mount Brandon, Tralee Bay and Fenit Harbour, which is one of the discovery points along the Wild Atlantic Way. This 14km route is built along the former Tralee to Fenit railway line and offers a mixture of rural calm and stunning seascapes.
The greenway begins beside Tralee train station passing The Spa, Cotters Bend and Kilfenora before winding along the Tralee Estuary, offering unforgettable views of Tralee Bay before finishing at Fenit – a bustling fishing harbour village. The route is fully off-road with a smooth surface, making it ideal for family outings, leisure cycling and walking. The story of the transition from an abandoned railway corridor to a greenway was born from a collaboration between local government, environmental groups and community advocates.
Tralee – Cotter’s Bend
The route starts beside the Casement railway station in Tralee, a large sign spans the entrance to the greenway which is located adjacent to the R878. Tralee, the capital of County Kerry, offers a lot for visitors to see and do. Combining culture, history, and family-friendly attractions, making it a great base for exploring the region. Highlights include the Kerry County Museum, where you can dive into local history and heritage; the Aqua Dome, a popular indoor water park for families and rainy days; and the Tralee Bay Wetlands Eco & Activity Park, an ideal spot for nature walks, birdwatching, and outdoor adventures.
As you leave the town, please take care at the road crossings and junctions along the initial section of the route. Free designated car parking is available at Mounthawk Park which is located approximately 1.5km from the starting point. Beyond the town, the greenway opens into farmland and hedgerows, with distant views of the Slieve Mish mountain range providing a scenic backdrop. Please be respectful of local farmers who may be moving livestock across the route. Further along, Cotter’s Bend acts as a natural midpoint with a rest area providing the opportunity for a break before continuing your journey.
Cotter’s Bend – Fenit
Need to Know
Gradients are gentle along the route.
Hot showers, changing areas, toilets, secure storage, equipment washdown areas, and a changing places facility are all available at the facilities centre in Fenit. There is a charge to use these facilities.
Ciars Quest is an augmented reality experience available to users of the Tralee to Feit Greenway. See https://ciarsquest.ie for more details of this free fun family adventure focusing on Biodiversity along the greenway.
Fenit Greenway parkrun takes place every Saturday at 9:30am commencing at the Fenit Greenway Trail head.
The stunning Tralee Bay provides a range of marine habitats including mudflats, estuaries, rocky seashores, sand dunes and more, in turn supporting a variety of species some of which are endangered including the undulate ray. The bay is also frequented by bottlenose dolphins, angel sharks and is one of the only self-seeding wild Irish oyster fisheries found in Europe.
The vibrant hedgerows along the greenway are an essential haven for the more than fifty species of Irish birds, thirty-five of which nest in the hedgerows, and several species remain in the area year-round such as robins, blackbirds, wrens and the distinctive pied wagtail. Hedgerows provide food, shelter, perches and song posts, as well as protective corridors for the birds’ movement.
The bedrock of the Tralee to Fenit Greenway is largely made up of varying forms of limestone, sandstone and shale, with formations on display at several points along the route. The limestone walls close to Fenit are covered in ivy, while other exposed limestone faces display dozens of brilliant plant species. The exposed shale cliff face near Oyster Hall reveals repeating layers of bedrock, reflecting changing sea levels over time, and features like shale kinks and limestone bedding planes offer important glimpses into how the land has moved and evolved over time.
Visitors can experience this rich biodiversity from the path itself, with interpretation boards explaining key species. Respecting signage and keeping to the trail are essential, especially in sensitive coastal zones where disturbance could impact feeding and roosting birds.
Code of Conduct
To keep our greenways welcoming and safe for all users—walkers, cyclists, families, and wildlife alike—please review our Code of Conduct before you go.
Read Code of ConductGetting There
Whether you’re travelling by train, bus, or car, use these tools to plan your route.
Common Questions
Visitors can join or leave the route in Tralee close to the Casement Railway Station, at Bracker O’Regan Road, the Mounthawk Park, Cotter’s Bend, Kilfenora and Fenit Trailhead.
There are buses to Tralee provided by Bus Éireann, Dublin Coach and Local Link service, and train service to Tralee from Dublin, Cork, Limerick and other stations around Ireland. Visitors can also fly into Kerry Airport and get a connecting bus or train to Tralee.
The Train and Bus Station in Tralee is located at the trailhead. Local Link Kerry service #278 runs between Fenit and Tralee 7 times each day.
For more information please visit: https://www.transportforireland.ie/
Free parking including accessible parking is available at the Fenit trailhead. Additional paid parking can be found in Tralee town, including EV Charging facilities.
The entire route is smooth with no gravel surface along the route.
A water fountain is available in Fenit at the facility centre.
Bike parking facilities are located along the route at Cotter’s Bend (52°16’43.6″N 9°48’38.2″W), shortly after Glenside (52°16’52.9″N 9°48’01.9″W) and at Lassinagh (52°16’50.5″N 9°46’49.5″W) as well as the facilities centre in Fenit.
A bike repair station can be found at the Cotters Bend area of the route (52°16’52.9″N 9°48’01.9″W).
Tralee Bike Hire is located close to the start the Tralee to Fenit Greenway beside Tralee Train Station. https://traleebikerental.ie/
Like Bikes offer a drop and collect service along the Tralee to Fenit Greenway. https://www.likebikes.ie/rental/tralee-bike-rental/
Any reference to specific bike hire operators should not be regarded as a recommendation for their services.
Rest facilities are located on the route at Cotter’s Bend (52°16’43.6″N 9°48’38.2″W), shortly after Glenside (52°16’52.9″N 9°48’01.9″W) and at Lassinagh (52°16’50.5″N 9°46’49.5″W) as well as the facilities centre in Fenit.
Public toilets are available at the facility centre in Fenit.
There are no toilet facilities available on the greenway route.
There is a playground at the Fenit Trailhead.
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