Cycling Holiday in the Burren
A memorable cycling adventure in the Burren & Cliffs of Moher
The rocky Burren is a national park and one of the most unique landscape types in the world. The karst limestone bedrock, blanketing the countryside is full of rare flora and fauna. The land is criss crossed with an ancient network or roads and small laneways making it an ideal place to explore by bike.
The Burren has been inhabited by humans for millennia with some historic sites, such as Poulnabrone Dolmen dated to 2,500BC. The area is dotted with hundred of archaeological sites of interest spanning the Bronze, Iron, Early Christian, Viking and medieval ages.
This cycling tour takes you to small traditional Irish villages full of culture and tradition. The villages of Doolin and Lisdoonvarna are strongholds for traditional Irish music. In the long summer evenings, the pubs come alive with nightly music and storytelling.
Highlights
Unique Burren landscape
Ancient pre-historic sites
The Cliffs of Moher
The Aran Islands
The Burren perfumery
Tradition Irish villages and pubs
Castle ruins and stone forts
This 7 night cycling tour starts and finishes in Galway city, on the west coast of Ireland and takes in some of the most spectacular coastal and scenic cycling in Ireland.
Cycling distance:
The average daily cycling distance is 40km
Gradient:
The gradient is easy to moderate
Departure dates:
You can start this tour on any date that suits you between April and October
How to get to Galway from Dublin or Shannon Airport ?
| Day 1. Arrive in Galway city
Accommodation: B&B Galway city
Sample the atmosphere that has made Galway a mecca for musicians, artists, actors and tourists alike. The cobbled pedestrianised streets are lined with bohemian cafes, traditional pubs and craft shops. During the summer months the city has a vibrant and welcoming feel making it one of the most loved cities in Ireland.
| Day 2. Galway city to Kinvara
Cycling distance up to 50 km
Accommodation: B&B Kinvara
The route takes you away from the city along the coast to Oranmore and you leave the busier roads behind to cycle along the backroads to the village of Clarinbridge and Kilcolgan, from where you turn to ride past the ruined Kilcolgan castle. The route then keeps for a little while along the coast before turning inland to head to Ballindereen and then to Kinvara. This colourful village is picturesquely situated on Galway Bay.
| Day 3. The Burren Landscape
Cycling distance: Up to 50 km
Accommodation: B&B Doolin
A most beautiful day that will bring you into the Burren National Reserve, your first glimpse of this very unusual and unique region. You will cycle by the Burren Perfumery with its informational visitor centre and excellent cafe, entertaining you on the unique botany of the region. Stop in the small village of Carron for lunch before continuing on minor backroads to Lisdoonvarna and finish the day in Doolin. During the day you will pass many ancient prehistoric sites, some dated to over 5,000 years ago. Doolin village is renowned across Ireland for traditional Irish music and many musicians from all over Ireland visit to play in the local pubs.
| Day 4. Visit the Clifffs of Moher
Cycling distance: Up to 40 km
Accommodation: B&B Doolin
Today you can visit the Unesco World heritage site that is the Cliffs of Moher, a magnificent natural feature spanning 14km of the Irish coast. The cliffs rise to over 700 feet above the Atlantic and there is a cliff side path that can be walked to enjoy the vista. The cliffs get their name from the word Mothar, which means ruined fort in ancient gaelic and there are a number of historic forts located along the cliff path. After visiting the cliffs, there is also a beautiful cycle to the seaside town of Lahinch, widely known as a popular surfing spot in Ireland. After visit Lahinch, return to Doolin and enjoy the evening music once again.
| Day 5. A daytrip to the Aran Islands or rest day
Cycling distance: 35 km +
Accommodation: B&B Doolin
Today you will have the option to catch the ferry for a day trip to the famous Aran Islands or take a rest day to relax around Doolin. The islands are an extension of the Burren landscape. The quiet roads are ideal for cycling as you meander around the maze of oddly shaped stone walled fields. You can visit the ancient and spectacular historic site of Dun Aonghusa. Perched high on the sea cliff, this 3,000 year old fort will remain in your memory for many years to come. The return ferry to the mainland is in the late afternoon and you will spend 1 last night in Doolin. Ferry tickets are not included in the price of the tour and can be purchased in advance online or at the pier.
| Day 6. Doolin to Ballyvaughan
Cycling distance: 35 km +
Accommodation: B&B Ballyvaughan
One of the highlights of the trip, today you will cycle the coast road to Ballyvaughan via Fanor beach. The journey offers awesome views of the Galway bay and the rugged rocky Atlantic coast. The ride via Blackhead lighthouse in particular will live long in your memory. Continue to the pretty village of Ballyvaughan where you will spend the night. Ballyvaughan has a number of excellent cafes and restaurants and also one of the best whiskey bars in Ireland.
| Day 7. Cycle to Kinvara via Corcomroe Abbey
Cycling distance: 35 km +
Accommodation: B&B Galway
Moving north from Ballyvaughan, you will cycle to Kinvara via Corcomroe Abbey, an 800 year old mosaic ruins and national monument. Visit the Burren Chocolate factory and continue to the Flaggy shore on the way to sample some of the finest seafood on the Atlantic coast. In Kinvara you will be collected and returned to Galway for the final night of the tour.
*The cycling distance can be increased on request.
Option 1:
Trek FX2 Hybrid Touring Bike – Included in tour price
The FX2 is strong, stable, fun and perfectly suited for Irish roads. Customised for West Ireland Cycling with puncture resistant tyres, mudguards and rear rack. Also available with ladies specific frame. Bike lock, helmet, repair kit, pump and spare tube is also included.
Upgrade Option 1:
Upgrade Options: Trek 520 Adventure Touring Bike + €150*
The 520 is the classic steel touring bike. One of the longest-running touring bikes in the world. If you are a committed touring cyclist looking for the best in comfort and durability, this is the bike for you.
* Upgrade fee is payable directly to our office on the day of collection
Upgrade Option 2:
Upgrade option: Trek Electric Bikes + €200*
We use the best quality E-bikes on the market. These bikes are pedal assist meaning they travel a lot further when you push the pedal compared to a regular bike. Comfortable, strong and stable bikes combined with a quiet powerful Bosch motor and a fully integrated high-capacity battery ensure many miles of care-free cycling. On a full charge they re good for 60km+.
* Upgrade fee is payable directly to our office on the day of collection
Stay comfortably in our carefully hand-picked accommodations
The accommodation included on the tour are B&Bs or small guesthouses. They are clean, comfortable, family run businesses and come very highly rated on Trip Advisor and Booking.com and are well set-up to cater for cycling holiday guests.
The hosts are very knowledgeable about the local area and will be happy to assist you in any way needed.
We have been using the same venues for many years and our previous guests are very happy with them. Each room with have its own private bathroom and shower too. Breakfast is included in the package. All of the venues are located in the centre, or very close to the centre of a small village or town with local bars, cafes and restaurants all within easy walking distance.
Love it too much? Add extra days or shorten your cycling holiday in Ireland
We are lucky in the west of ireland to have thousands of km of unspoilt coastal and scenic cycling to enjoy.
We understand that 7 days may not be the ideal amount of time for everyone.
If you would like a longer or shorter version of the tour, please just email tours@westirelandcycling.com and we will design a custom tour to suit your schedule.
Fantastic Cycling Holiday
West Ireland Cycling provided the bikes (excellent), panniers, custom guidebook, transfers at the start and end of the trip, and comfortable accommodations each night. Our guide book included cycling routes and maps along with optional extensions, points of interest, and dining recommendations. We especially loved the alternative, car-free routes in and out of Cong, as well as the incredible bog road.
We highly recommend experiencing Ireland by bike and letting West Ireland Cycling plan your trip. Gorgeous country, excellent roads (many nearly car-free), patient drivers and lovely people made our trip better than we’d imagined. Thanks, John and everyone at West Ireland Cycling!
Anne, USA, July 2021.
Can’t wait to go back
We were looking for a self-guided trip in Ireland and came across West Ireland Cycling. From beginning to end, John did an amazing job at putting together a 6 night trip. I couldn’t decide between the Conamarra or Burren trip, so he put a trip together that included both! The Trek touring bikes were in great shape. The roads we cycled on were spectacular- along the water, bogs and mountains- full of green, sheep, cows and limestone. The seafood was superb- fresh as can be. I will dream of the oysters when I get home. It was great not to carry luggage and to stay in a warm B and B each night. I would highly recommend this company.
Steven, Switzerland, Sept 2021.
Experience of a life-time
My mom and I spent 7 days cycling with West Ireland Cycling in May. It was absolutely amazing. It was obvious that John and his team had put a ton of effort into the tour to make everything run extremely smoothly.
John provided us with high quality bicycles and maps with very detailed instructions. It’d be impossible to get lost or turned around. The instructions included great cafes, restaurants, lunch spots, and notable sites. There was flexibility within the routes and being able to go at our own pace was great. Every evening we’d arrive at another adorable, clean b&b with our luggage and a comfy bed waiting.
I can’t recommend this particular tour highly enough. John and team went above and beyond several times throughout the trip to make this one of our most memorable vacations. The price is well worth it considering the quality of care, bicycles, and accomodations you get in return. Do it!
Kathy, Canada, June 2019.
Prices
€1,250 per person based on 2 people sharing. April, May, June, September, October
€1,350 per person. July and August
€370 single supplement. €700 solo supplement.
Included In Tour
7 Nights Accommodation
(Includes private en-suite & full Irish breakfast)Trek Touring Bicycle
(Including pump, lock, tubes and repair kit)Luggage Transfers
Easy-to-Read Road Maps
Transportation
( Kinvara to Galway)From €1,250 per person based on 2 people sharing
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