Connemara & Burren
9 days/8 nights

A Self Guided Cycling Tour

This tour combines the best of both Connemara and the Burren National Parks into an unforgettable 9 day cycling experience. Enjoy the beautiful natural landscapes of Ireland with each night spent in a charming rural village or town on the west coast of Ireland. From rugged mountains and sprawling lakes and bogs to pristine beaches and wild rock seashores, this experience will live long in the memory and ensure you experience all the highlights of the west of Ireland in this very popular 9 day tour.

Highlights

Spectacular scenery of Connemara and the Burren
An expert local guide
Traditional Irish villages and pubs
The Wild Atlantic Way
Ancient pre-historic sites
The Cliffs of Moher
The Aran Islands
Cong Abbey and Ashford Castle
Killary Fjord and Kylemore Abbey
The famous Skye road cycle
The native Irish speaking Gaeltacht regions

This 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 with extra options up to 80 km most days

Gradient:
The gradient is easy to moderate

Departure dates:
Any date between April and October subject to availability

How to get to Galway from Dublin or Shannon Airport ?

Day 1. Arrive in Galway city

Accommodation: B&B Galway city

When you arrive in Galway, we will arrange to get you fitted with bikes and equipment and brief you on the tour. Afterwards you can 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.

Day 2. Cycle through Joyce Country to the coastal village of Leenane

Cycling distance up to 35 / 60 / 80 km + Accommodation: Leenane

The cycling begins. We will transfer you to the ancient village of Cong and you will cycle through Joyce Country to the coastal village of Leenane, located on Killary Fjord, the only fjord on the island of Ireland. From Leenane you will cycle north into the spectacular Doo Lough valley, one of the nightlight of the week. Returning to Leenane, you will spend the evening taking in the splendid views of the surrounding mountains and coastline.

Day 3. Cycle From Leenane Along The Atlantic Coast To Clifden

Cycling distance up to 35 / 60 / 80 km + Accommodation: B&B Clifden

Cycle from Leenane along the Atlantic coast to Clifden. Enjoy the rugged beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way and pristine beaches along the way. Stop for lunch in Kylemore Abby before continuing to Clifden where you will stay for the night. Clifden is full of small cafes, shops, bars and restaurants. In the evenings the pubs are alive with the sound of traditional Irish music.

Day 4. Explore the coast around Clifden

Cycling distance: 25 km for cycle 1 and up to 50 km extra for 2nd cycle + Accommodation: B&B Clifden

Experience the famous looped Skye road cycle from Clifden offering spectacular views of the Atlantic Coast. Then cycle south from Clifden, visiting Derrigimlagh, the site of the first ever transatlantic flight crossing. Continue south to the pristine beach of Dogs Bay near the fishing village of Roundstone before returning to Clifden for the night.

Day 5. Ferry To The Aran Islands

Cycling distance: 35 / 70 km + Accommodation: B&B Aran Islands

Cycle through the flat boglands of south Connemara to the ferry port and catch the lunchtime ferry to the Aran Islands. The islands are an extension of the Burren landscape. It’s quiet roads are ideal for cycling as you meander around the maze of oddly shaped stone walled fields. You will 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. Spend the night on the island, enjoying the peace and quiet.

Day 6. Catch The Morning Ferry To Doolin

Cycling distance: 20 / 35 / 65 km + Accommodation: B&B Doolin

After breakfast you will catch the morning ferry to Doolin on the Burren coast. From here you will visit the famous Cliffs of Moher, that rise to 700 feet about the Atlantic coast. You will visit Hags head and a number of pleasant coastal village before returing to Doolin for the night. Doolin is famous for its welcoming pubs that come alive in the summer evenings with the sound of live traditional Irish music.

Day 7. Ballyvaughan to The Heart Of The Burren

Cycling distance: 35/ 50 / 70 km + Accommodation: B&B Ballyvaughan

One of the highlights of the trip, today you will cycle the coast road to Ballyvaughan via Fanore beach. The journey offers awesome views of the Galway bay and the rugged rocky Atlantic coast. Ballyvaughan is a qaint coastal town with excellent cafes and bars to enjoy in the evening. Enjoy some optional extra looped cycles into the heart of the Burren from Ballyvaughan later in the day.

Day 8. Ballyvaughan to Galway

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 Flaggy shore on the way and sample some of the finest seafood on the Atlantic coast. Continue cycling to the pretty village of Kinvara before continue the last leg to Galway for the final night of the tour.

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 Option: Trek 520 Adventure Touring Bike + €200

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 Option 2:

Upgrade option: Trek Electric Bikes + €250

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 are good for 60km+.

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.

Can’t make the dates or prefer to do this tour in your own group?

No Problem. We understand this set itinerary may not suit everyone.

If you would like to do this tour as a private group, 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 2023.

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 2024.

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 2022.

Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence Winner 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019 Travellers’ Choice 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024.

Prices

From €1,750 per person based on 2 people sharing

€425 single supplement

€800 solo traveller supplement

B&B/guesthouse accommodation
Trek hybrid bike with helmet, repair kit, spare tube and lock (Bike upgrade to electric or adventure available on request)
Daily luggage transfers between B&Bs
Assistance with any mechanic issues encountered along the way
Transfer from Galway City to cycle start
Ferry tickets to and from the Aran Islands
GPX files for cycling routes
Road maps and local countryside info booklet including information on the best places to visit, eat and drink along the way
Custom guided group tours available on request email: tours@westirelandcycling.com