Discover the enchanting Old Rail Trail, a scenic walking and cycling route meandering through the heart of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. This historic railway path offers a tranquil escape through picturesque countryside, charming villages, and lush woodlands between Athlone and Mullingar. Ideal for casual walkers, avid cyclists, and families alike, the Old Rail Trail provides a mostly flat and well-maintained surface perfect for an active day out or a multi-day adventure.
The Old Rail Trail is wellness, heritage, and adventure combined - a must experience for anyone wanting to connect with Ireland’s rural heartlands in an immersive, sustainable way.
Highlights include
Ride or walk the historic Old Rail Trail, a safe, flat, mostly off-road route connecting Athlone and Mullingar.
Explore vibrant villages enriched by local culture and hospitality.
Enjoy opportunities to spot native birdlife, peaceful lakes, and tranquil woodlands along the way.
Choose from modern electric bikes and traditional cycles, all expertly maintained and supplied with helmets and local route guidance.
Flexible tour durations available - from short day trips to extended scenic adventures with luggage transport support.
Accessibility
Ethical Tours is dedicated to ensuring that everyone can enjoy our eco adventures.
Our tours are designed to accommodate visitors of all abilities, with e mobility scooters and accessible cycling options available.
We provide accessible route options that are free from steps or uneven ground.
For additional assistance, contact us for more information on our guest experience services
Languages
Our tours are conducted primarily in English
Inclusions
E-Bike rental
Safety gear
Guided Tour
Water bottle
Homemade energy bar
Tour Gallery
FAQ’s
Can I choose between guided and self-guided tours?
Yes! We offer guided group tours with a knowledgeable local guide, as well as self-guided options for both bike and walking routes using Garmin GPS devices pre-loaded with routes and points of interest.
What is included with tours and hires?
Electric or manual bike or e-mobility scooter (for relevant tours)
Helmet, high-visibility vest, and all safety equipment
Garmin navigation device for self-guided bike tours
Reusable water bottle and homemade energy bar
Expert local guides for guided tours
What if the weather is poor?
Your safety is our priority. If weather conditions make walking, cycling, or water activities unsafe, we will work with you to reschedule or offer a refund.
How far can I go on an electric bike?
Our eBikes usually provide at least 90 km on a single charge, depending on the terrain and level of pedal assistance used—enough to comfortably complete any of our advertised experiences
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Centre Parcs had no mobility scooters available and I badly needed one having had a recent hip replacement surgery. Ethical Tours came to the rescue and I was able to enjoy my stay because otherwise I would have been unable to walk around the Park having booked 2 houses for a family break. I kept checking Centre Parcs for a week and to no avail.
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Sheila Hourigan
August 4, 2026
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Ethical Tours absolutely excellent service. We rented a mobility scooter while staying in Center Parks in Longford. No scooter was available during our stay in CP. I called Brendan from Ethical tour, within 20 minutes the mobility scooter was delivered. Excellent service, highly recommend.. efficient and totally hassle free.
Many thanks for all your help
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Ciara McNeice
August 4, 2026
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Hired a mobility scooter from Ethical Tours after there was no availability to hire them at Center Parcs for the Aug bank holiday weekend. My mum recently had a hip replacement so would have struggled with the long walks around Center Parcs. Brendan saved the day and supplied us with a top of the range mobility scooter at short notice and a good price. Drop off and collection was so quick and convenient and Brendan was a pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend this company for mobility scooter hire.
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Olivia Bradley
August 3, 2026
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We had a fantastic experience with Brendan & Ethical tours. He provided bikes to a group of six families and everything went smoothly. Bikes looked brand new & price to rent for 3 days was considerably cheaper than what Center Parcs was offering. Collecting & returning the bikes at Center parcs was simple and hassel-free and Brendan was reliable, friendly and a pleasure to deal with. Will definitely use Brendan again when we return and would recommend.
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John Cleary
July 26, 2026
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Hired a bike while staying at Center Parcs, very good value and Brendan was a pleasure to deal with. Definitely would use again.
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Carmel Brennan
July 25, 2026
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What a fantastic way to spend a Saturday! From forests to river to canal to boglands, the route you took us on was so beautiful. And the historic bog road @ corlea bog visitor centre is a hidden gem, we truly enjoyed it.
Thank you Brendan. We will be back !!
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Caroline Sheehan
July 13, 2026
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We couldn’t recommend this company more, Brendan was so accommodating dropping and collecting our bikes. The bikes were of excellent quality and well maintained. It was excellent service and a fraction of what the park was charging. I would highly recommend.
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Dale Lamb
July 8, 2026
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Brendan was super helpful. We had the bikes delivered to our boat in Athlone and went down the Old Rail Trail. We were a wee bit optimistic and bit off more than we could chew, and Brendan very kindly let us park the bikes up at Moate.
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Rebecca Connolly
July 8, 2026
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Great service, Brendan is very responsive and helpful!would highly recommend!
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Kevina Kenny
July 7, 2026
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We had a fantastic experience with Ethical Tours Ballymahon! It was such an enjoyable way to explore Ireland's Hidden Heartlands with friends in a fun, relaxed, and sustainable way. The tour was well organised, the route was beautiful!
The service and quality were absolutely faultless from start to finish. The team was friendly, professional, and made sure everything ran smoothly. I would highly recommend Ethical Tours Ballymahon to anyone looking for a unique and eco-friendly way to experience this beautiful part of Ireland.
Cycling Tour
From €45
Duration : 5 Hours
Start/End : Athlone or Mullingar
Group size : 6
Accessibility : E-bike and e-mobility friendly
Travel with purpose. Explore responsibly.
Book your adventure today!
Enjoy the freedom to cycle around Longford Holiday Villages and beyond, creating unforgettable memories without the stress of transporting your own equipment.