Ireland Coastal Cycling
8 days
from Castle Lough to River Shannon
From
$ 4299
Duration8 days
Fresh ocean air, rolling green hills, and solitary back roads; our 8-day cycling tour of Ireland is unforgettable. Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way has all the ingredients for a perfect cycling tour. Magnificent coastal scenery, fascinating local history and bustling villages rise up to greet us with each bend in the road. Our trip highlights the diversity of the west coast. We stop in lively pubs to listen to live music, experience stretches of rocky landscape at the Cliffs of Moher and marvel at impressive monuments to Ireland's illustrious past. Our journey begins on the magnificent plateau of The Burren and onward to the legendary Cliffs of Moher. On the Aran Islands, where Irish Gaelic is spoken daily, ancient Celtic stone forts and early Christian churches stand in isolated grandeur. Wild rivers, clear lakes and heather-covered mountains bring a striking change of scenery as we pedal our way through Connemara. Celebrate the day's ride with pints of Guinness and traditional Irish merriment. We bid farewell to our newfound friends and newly-discovered country along the narrow, cobblestone streets of bohemian Galway.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 8 daysService level: Standard
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Starts in: Castle LoughPhysical Grading: Average
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Ends in: River ShannonAges: 18+
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Itinerary
Day 1: Cycle a short country loop via Gleninagh Castle.
Start place: Castle Lough
Our trip begins in Shannon, Ireland. Arrive at Shannon airport by 1pm, meet your guide and fellow travelers, and then transfer to Ballyvaughan, a small harbor village in the unique rocky limestone wilderness of the Burren. The Burren is renowned for its grey limestone landscape that in spring and summer transforms into a myriad of color, hosting one of the highest diversities of wild flowers in Europe. Flower varieties from the arctic to the southern Mediterranean flourish here.
After checking into our hotel and changing into cycling clothes, we gather for a trip orientation and bike fitting. A warm up loop along narrow country roads and wider coastal routes is the perfect opportunity to make sure our bikes are well fitted for the week of riding ahead. En route we stop at the Gleninagh Castle, where the remains of a 16th-century tower house overlook the Burren's northern shore. Dinner included.
Transfer drive: ~1 hour; Cycling: ~8.5 miles, Hours in the saddle: 1 hour; Terrain: mostly flat; Elevation gain/loss: ~250'.
After checking into our hotel and changing into cycling clothes, we gather for a trip orientation and bike fitting. A warm up loop along narrow country roads and wider coastal routes is the perfect opportunity to make sure our bikes are well fitted for the week of riding ahead. En route we stop at the Gleninagh Castle, where the remains of a 16th-century tower house overlook the Burren's northern shore. Dinner included.
Transfer drive: ~1 hour; Cycling: ~8.5 miles, Hours in the saddle: 1 hour; Terrain: mostly flat; Elevation gain/loss: ~250'.
Meals: D
Day 2: Ride through the rocky Burren to the Cliffs of Moher.
We explore the Burren, a 400 square mile wonderland of terraced formations, megalithic tombs, ring forts, castles, caves, and amazing botanical life. No visit to Ireland is complete without exploring this unique region. Discover a place with over 6,000 years of history as we cycle around Black Head, with panoramic views of white sand beaches and the sparkling deep blue North Atlantic Ocean.
After a picnic lunch, we continue on to the edges of the staggering 700 foot high Cliffs of Moher, home to the largest colony of nesting seabirds on mainland Ireland. Heading inland, we pass through the town of Lisdoonvarna, home of Ireland's matchmaking festival and known for the healing properties of its mineral waters. Just beyond, we may stop to taste the famous locally smoked salmon and perhaps try a little home brewed beer. Our ride finishes with a descent along the famous corkscrew hill from which the views over Ballyvaughan and Galway Bay are outstanding. All meals included.
Cycling: 41 miles; Hours in the saddle: 5; Terrain: Flat to rolling hills with one longer descent; Elevation gain/loss: ~2,300'.
After a picnic lunch, we continue on to the edges of the staggering 700 foot high Cliffs of Moher, home to the largest colony of nesting seabirds on mainland Ireland. Heading inland, we pass through the town of Lisdoonvarna, home of Ireland's matchmaking festival and known for the healing properties of its mineral waters. Just beyond, we may stop to taste the famous locally smoked salmon and perhaps try a little home brewed beer. Our ride finishes with a descent along the famous corkscrew hill from which the views over Ballyvaughan and Galway Bay are outstanding. All meals included.
Cycling: 41 miles; Hours in the saddle: 5; Terrain: Flat to rolling hills with one longer descent; Elevation gain/loss: ~2,300'.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Break for tea at Father Ted's house and ferry to the Aran Islands.
Leaving Ballyvaughan, we cycle to the Burren National Park, passing by the iconic Mullaghmore Mountain and breaking for a cup of tea at Father Ted's house. Built in the 1850s and owned by the McCormack family, this rural farm home was the film site of the Irish TV comedy hit Father Ted. We enjoy stories about Father Ted and the local area while snacking on homemade scones topped with fresh cream and jam. Continuing on to the next stage of our journey, we sail out of Doolin to the smallest of the Aran Islands, Inis Oírr. We stop here for lunch before continuing on to Inis Mór—our island home for the next two nights . All meals included.
Cycling: 17 miles; Hours in the saddle: ~2; Terrain: Flat to rolling hills; Elevation gain/loss: ~1080'.
Cycling: 17 miles; Hours in the saddle: ~2; Terrain: Flat to rolling hills; Elevation gain/loss: ~1080'.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Experience Ireland at its most traditional on Inis Mór.
The three isolated rocky outcrops of the Aran Islands are unique in their geology and archaeology, bearing a potent sense of history. In ancient Ireland, they once held a position of great trading power. Today they are a bastion of traditional Irish language, culture and music. Inis Mór is the largest of the Aran Islands and home to one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe, Dún Aonghusa (Dun Aengus), a semi-circular stone fort that sits dramatically at the edge of a 300 foot drop into the sea. We spend the day exploring Inis Mór by bike and on foot. All meals included.
Cycling: 17-22 miles; Hours in the saddle: 2.5; Terrain: Flat to rolling hills; Elevation gain/loss: ~100'.
Cycling: 17-22 miles; Hours in the saddle: 2.5; Terrain: Flat to rolling hills; Elevation gain/loss: ~100'.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Ferry to Connemara for the most scenic coastal cycling of our trip.
After a relaxing morning we catch the ferry to Rossaveal in Co. Galway. Described by Oscar Wilde as 'a savage beauty', Connemara is a spectacular mountain and bog wilderness which forms the setting for some of the most scenic bicycle rides of our journey. Our route winds along the coast to Roundstone village, a picturesque fishing harbor in Connemara. All meals included.
Cycling: 31 miles; Hours in the saddle: 3; Terrain: Flat to rolling hills; Elevation gain/loss: ~1,020'.
Cycling: 31 miles; Hours in the saddle: 3; Terrain: Flat to rolling hills; Elevation gain/loss: ~1,020'.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Explore the Roundstone seashore and ride white sand beaches to Clifden.
This morning we join a knowledgeable Roundstone local for an exploration of one of Ireland's most spectacular white sand shores. Learn about seaweed foraging and discover some of the varied lifeforms that this side of the Atlantic has to offer. Your specialist guide is widely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the local ecology and offers fascinating insights into how people have survived in this wild environment for millennia.
Today's cycling route takes us to Ballyconneely Village via stunning white sand and coral beaches, and on to our hotel near Clifden. Ballyconneely has been the vanguard of several historic projects and events. Most notably, the first transatlantic flight ended in the Derrygimla Bog, about two miles from Ballyconneely Village in June, 1919. We have the option to finish today's ride along the Sky Road from Clifden, considered the most impressive coastal road in the country. All meals included.
Cycling: 12.5 miles; Hours in the saddle: 1.5; Terrain: Flat to rolling hills; Elevation gain/loss: ~460'. Option to add 10.5 miles; Elevation gain/loss: ~915'.
Today's cycling route takes us to Ballyconneely Village via stunning white sand and coral beaches, and on to our hotel near Clifden. Ballyconneely has been the vanguard of several historic projects and events. Most notably, the first transatlantic flight ended in the Derrygimla Bog, about two miles from Ballyconneely Village in June, 1919. We have the option to finish today's ride along the Sky Road from Clifden, considered the most impressive coastal road in the country. All meals included.
Cycling: 12.5 miles; Hours in the saddle: 1.5; Terrain: Flat to rolling hills; Elevation gain/loss: ~460'. Option to add 10.5 miles; Elevation gain/loss: ~915'.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Cycle around the Twelve Bens, exploring centuries-old castles en route.
Our last day of cycling features an impressive backdrop of rugged mountains, a patchwork of lakes, and windswept bogs, providing a sense of wild isolation. Our route leads us through this remote wilderness to Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine monastery founded in 1920, with its magnificent edifice sitting on the edge of Kylemore Lake. We take time to tour the impressive grounds before continuing on past Lough Inagh, one of Connemara’s most spectacular lakes. Continuing on, we cycle to the historic Ballynahinch Castle. It has been the home of several of Connemara's characters including an Indian Maharaja who was a famous Cricketer. Returning to Clifden across the bog road, we gather for a farewell dinner commemorating our cycling adventure. All meals included.
Cycling: 39 miles; Hours in the saddle: 4; Terrain: Flat to rolling hills; Elevation gain/loss: ~1,700'. Option to add 10 miles; Elevation gain/loss: ~100'.
Cycling: 39 miles; Hours in the saddle: 4; Terrain: Flat to rolling hills; Elevation gain/loss: ~1,700'. Option to add 10 miles; Elevation gain/loss: ~100'.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Explore artsy Galway before traveling back to Shannon.
Following breakfast, we travel to the artsy, bohemian city of Galway and take a couple of hours to wander through its vibrant streets and eat lunch. Stay in Galway, catch a train to Dublin, or transfer with our guide to Shannon airport, arriving around 3:00 p.m. Breakfast included.
Drive: Clifden to Galway: 48 miles, ~1.25 hours; Galway to Shannon: 53 miles, ~1.25 hour.
Drive: Clifden to Galway: 48 miles, ~1.25 hours; Galway to Shannon: 53 miles, ~1.25 hour.
End place: River Shannon
Meals: B
Inclusions
Included
- Double-occupancy accommodations as noted above
- meals as noted in the itinerary
- transfers as noted on the itinerary
- bicycle
- entrance fees to Kylemore Abbey
- support van
- skilled trip leader(s)
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Accommodation
Hotels, 7 nights