Connemara
Ireland Bike Tours
A breathtaking bike tour in Ireland
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1050 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
This bike tour in Ireland, the Emerald Island, explores the beautiful region of Connemara famous for its rugged granite landscape as well as its beautiful lakes and rivers.
You will enjoy an incredible variety of scenery each day. In the morning, bike along the beautiful coastline, while in the afternoon, find yourself on a quiet bog road with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
This tour begins and ends in Galway city, Ireland’s liveliest city, with cobbled streets of entertainers and pubs spilling over with merriment with the wonderful backdrop of Galway Bay. The cycling starts in the village of Clonbur and the route leads through some of the best villages and towns Ireland has to offer.
Highlights
- Galway City
- Lough Mask
- Colorful village of Westport
- Pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick
- Stunning Delphi Valley
- Small village of Leenane
- Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord
- Kylemore Abbey
- Clifden
- Sky road
For many, it is the lesser-known sections of this route that are the real highlights as you cycle Connemara across spectacular open boglands, past deserted beaches, and charming seaside villages.
A full list of all of our bike tours in Ireland can be found here.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Galway (transfer to Clonbur for group tour)
Day 2: Clonbur - Westport, 38 mi. (60 km)
Day 3: Westport - Leenane, 33 mi. (52 km)
Day 4: Leenane to Clifden, 35 mi. (58 km)
Day 5: Rest day in Clifden
Day 6: Clifden to Aran Islands 35 mi. (58 km)
Day 7: Aran Islands to Galway, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 8: Departure from Galway* All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork, In this case, please follow the directions posted on site.
Day 1: Galway city
(For group tour only: transfer to Clonbur and overnight)
Arrival in Galway city. If you arrive early, you can explore the bustling medieval city of Galway on your own. For the group tour only, at 6:00 PM there will be a transfer to the overnight town of Clonbur where you will have dinner. The self-guided tour participants will remain in Galway City for the night and in the morning, there will be a transfer to Clonbur.Accommodation in Galway: variety of small guesthouses that are located close to the beach.
Accommodation in Clonbur: Fairhill Hotel ClonburDay 2: Clonbur - Westport, 38 mi. (60 km)
For those who are cycling self-guided, you will be transferred to Clonbur where your bike tour begins. First, you head north along quiet back roads through rolling green fields full of grazing sheep and then descend down to Lough Mask to cycle along the shores of the lake. After lunch, the biggest climb of the week awaits you over the Partry Mountains, before continuing along a quiet back road with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. It is possible to avoid the climb by going a route around the Partry Mountains (a much straighter route with 40.5 km, but not as scenic). The day ends in the colorful village of Westport.Accommodation: Westport B&Bs. The B&Bs that are used are located away from the busy town and down on the quays by the ocean. They are often family-run and offer an insight to the Irish home with a fantastic breakfast.
Day 3: Westport - Leenane, 33 mi. (52 km)
You will cycle between Croagh Patrick and the beautiful Clew Bay with its many small islands, to the village of Louisburgh where can stop for lunch. In the afternoon, the route continues south through one of the highlights of the week, the stunning Delphi Valley with its beautiful lakes overlooked by Ben Bury, the highest mountain in Connemara. The night will be spent in the small village of Leenane which overlooks Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord.Accommodation: Leenane Hotel. On the shore of the Killary Harbor, this traditional seasonal hotel occupies an 18th-century coaching inn.
Day 4: Leenane - Clifden, 35 mi. (58 km)
Today you will cycle into the heart of Connemara overlooked by the Twelve Bens mountain range and visit Kylemore Abbey, a wedding gift from a wealthy Liverpool businessman to his wife in 1868. The cycle continues along quiet backroads past small fields with grazing cattle to the seaside village of Cleggan where you will enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, you will cycle along a scenic coastal road to Clifden where cars travel across the beach to Omey Island; only accessible when the tide is out! Clifden, the capital of Connemara, is a pretty and bustling town full of art galleries, cafes, pubs, and restaurants established 200 years ago.Accommodation: Foyles Hotel. A classic Victorian hotel in the heart of Connemara with one of the best restaurants in all of Ireland.
Day 5: Rest day in Clifden
The day can be spent in rest and relaxation or you can take part in a variety of activities including walking, golf or horseback riding. You can also spend the day just relaxing on one of the many beautiful white sandy beaches, or visit the landing site of the first transatlantic flight. The town itself is a nice place to spend time visiting the museum, art galleries, book shops and cafes. In the evening there are a number of bars which have traditional live music.Day 6: Clifden - Aran Islands, 35 mi. (58 km)
Cycling out of Clifden along beautiful waterside roads, you will cross extensive wild bogs with freshly cut peat waiting to be harvested against a backdrop of the Twelve Benns Mountains. The afternoon cycle takes you through Gaelic speaking areas to the ferry in Rossaveel which will cross to Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands.Accommodation: Aran Islands Hotel
Day 7: Aran Islands - Galway, 22 mi. (35 km)
The day can be spent touring the unique landscape of the island with its wealth of ancient stone forts and monastic sights. In the late afternoon, you will return to the mainland and take a bus back to Galway city.Accommodation in Galway: variety of small guesthouses that are located close to the beach.
Day 8: Departure from Galway
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Map
Hotels & Bikes
Accommodations
On this tour, you will be accommodated in bed & breakfasts as well as small hotels. On each day’s details you will find the preferred hotel(s) listed. Please note that the final hotel list is based on availability. It is possible to upgrade the accommodation in three of the five overnights: Galway, Westport and/or Clifden. You can request an upgrade for all these nights or for only one or two nights. Please ask.
Bicycles
Cannondale Quick 5 Hybrid Bike
Frame
SmartForm C3 Alloy Fork Chromoly, 1-1/8" steerer Handlebar 6061 Alloy Double-butted Stem 6061 Alloy Seatpost 6061 Alloy, 27.2 x 350mm Saddle Cannondale Fitness Ergo Double Density Pedals Flat Shifters Shimano M315 Rapidfire Plus, 7-speed Front Derailleur Shimano Tourney, 31.8 clamp Rear Derailleur Shimano Tourney Brakes Promax mechanical disc Ease-E + 2 Electric Bike
Motor Giant SyncDrive Silent drive front hub motor, 30Nm Sensors Giant PedalPlus 2- sensor technology Display RideControl LED Battery Giant EnergyPak 300, 36V Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Panasonic Frame ALUXX aluminum Fork ALUXX aluminum Handlebar Aluminum Stem Aluminum adjustable Seatpost Aluminum Saddle Selle Royal Nuvola Pedals Anti-slip Shifters Shimano 8 speed Tourney Revoshift Rear Derailleur Shimano RD-M310 Altus Brakes Linear Pull Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 7 nights
- Full Irish breakfast
- 1 evening meal in Leenane
- 24-speed Merida Crossway Urban 20-D hybrid touring bicycle with pannier (40 l), helmet, repair equipment, lock, and bottle cage
- Luggage transfer
- Route details & maps
- Transfer from Galway to Clonbur on Day 1 of group tour & Day 2 on the self-guided tour
- Transfer back to Galway on day 7
- Ferry ticket to the Aran Islands
- GPX files on request
- Also included for the Supported Group Tour:
- Guide in a support van
What’s Not Included
- Individual arrival to your first hotel
- Lunches (approx. €15 to €20 per lunch)
- Dinners (except for 1, approx. €20 to €30 per dinner)
- Cruise in Killarney (approx. €55)
- Entrance to Kylemore Abbey (approx: €15)
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Self-guided
Arrivals are possible daily from April 16 to October 1, 2023
Supported*
May 13, June 10, July 1, July 22, August 12, & August 26, 2023
*If there are less than 8 people booked on the tour, it will be conducted as a traditional self-guided tour. However, if there are more than 8 people on a set departure date, a guide in a support van will be assigned. Each person will still have their own route details and maps and have the freedom to cycle at their own pace each day, however, there is the security of a person in the background offering assistance if and when it is needed.
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2023
Self-guided / Supported
April, May, June & September
Price $ 1771 £ 932 $ 1,537 € 1050 kr 155614 ₪ 4342 ¥ 169283 Mex$ 21000 NZ$ 1915 NOK 12262 kr 12685 $ 1,140
July & August
Price $ 1821 £ 958 $ 1,581 € 1080 kr 160060 ₪ 4467 ¥ 174120 Mex$ 21600 NZ$ 1969 NOK 12612 kr 13047 $ 1,173
Single supplement (for single travelers in a group) $ 481 £ 253 $ 417 € 285 kr 42238 ₪ 1179 ¥ 45948 Mex$ 5700 NZ$ 520 NOK 3328 kr 3443 $ 310 Supplement for solo traveler (for single travelers not in a group) $ 666 £ 350 $ 578 € 395 kr 58540 ₪ 1634 ¥ 63683 Mex$ 7900 NZ$ 720 NOK 4613 kr 4772 $ 429
Extra Options
Electric bicycle rental $ 253 £ 133 $ 220 € 150 kr 22231 ₪ 620 ¥ 24183 Mex$ 3000 NZ$ 274 NOK 1752 kr 1812 $ 163
Extra nights on request.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
This is a moderate self-guided or guided hotel tour. Daily cycling distances average 30 to 40 miles (48 to 64 km) per day. On several days, you can choose between different routes to make it easier or harder for you. The tour is suitable for adults of all ages but please make sure that you are prepared for the distance and difficulty level of this tour. A supported tour means that there is a support vehicle with tour leader but he/she does not cycle with group. The roads are all paved and the route is designed to ensure that you spend most of the week on quiet back roads, away from heavy traffic. To experience the majestic scenery of this area the route does have some climbs, so please train for your bike tour in Ireland.
Airport Info
It is possible to fly to either Dublin airport or Shannon airport. Please note: Flying into Dublin airport will have more route options.
Local Travel
From the airport, you can take a bus directly to Galway. Travel time is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Climate
Because it is an island located near the gulf stream Ireland has a very mild climate making it ideal for cycling. The temperature range during the summer is between 15 and 22 degrees centigrade (60 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit).
Day of Rest
Day 5 is a rest day in Clifden.
Remarks
On the supported tour, the group generally loves to get together each evening to discuss their adventures of the day over dinner. Your guide will prebook and arrange a suitable venue for you each night. Nearly all restaurants in Ireland now cater to vegetarians but please inform the guide if you are vegetarian so that he/she can organize something suitable for everyone.
Important to know
Documents
Before you travel, please check your country's passport and visa requirements and the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. For US citizens, the US Department of State website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab in the International Travel section provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. For our other international clients, please be sure that you research your own country's and the countries you plan to visit travel requirements.
*Please check the status of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) as once implemente, will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
More on Supported vs. Self-guided
Supported Tours (set dates, minimum number of participants: 8) operate in a very relaxed manner and in some ways can be thought of as self-guided tours starting on a set date! Everyone is given their own route details and has the freedom to explore the tour at their own pace, stop as often as they like, and have lunch and dinner whenever it suits them. The guide is in a support van on the road each day just to make sure everything is running smoothly and to help and give assistance if needed. Meeting up with the group each night for dinner is not obligatory, however, almost always people find this the highlight of the tour as everyone swaps stories from their day's adventure.
On a self-guided tour, there is no support vehicle out on the route but assistance is just a phone call away if needed.
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Extra Stay
If you are planning to spend a few days in Dublin at the end of the tour, we recommend that you book accommodation well in advance as the capital is very busy on weekends. We suggest that you use Booking.com. You can read a detailed description of the hotels offered including a clear listing of amenities and view customer reviews and ratings.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Irish Cycling Safaris.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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