| Westmeath Way | |
|---|---|
| Length | 33 kilometres (21 miles)[1] |
| Location | County Westmeath, Ireland |
| Designation | National Waymarked Trail[1] |
| Trailheads | Kilbeggan, Mullingar |
| Use | Hiking |
| Trail difficulty | Easy[1] |
| Season | Any |
The Westmeath Way (Irish: Slí na hIarmhí)[1] is a long-distance trail in County Westmeath, Ireland. It is 33 kilometres (21 miles) long and begins in Kilbeggan and ends in Mullingar. It is typically completed in two days.[1] It is designated as a National Waymarked Trail by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council and is managed by Westmeath County Council and the Westmeath Way Committee.[2]
Starting at Kilbeggan, the trail follows the River Brosna for approximately 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) and the crosses countryside to the village of Ballinagore.[3] From Ballinagore the route travels on to reach the shores of Lough Ennell at the townland of Lilliput, from which Jonathan Swift used the name in Gulliver's Travels.[4] The trails follows tracks and roads around the lough, via Dysart village, before reaching Bellmount Bridge where it follows the Royal Canal to the end in Mullingar.[4]
A review of the National Waymarked Trails in 2010 found usage of the trail to be low and recommended that the amount of walking on tarred roads (41%) be reduced, that a series of looped walks off the main trail be developed and the trail should be promoted to day walkers.[2]
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