Connemara Express Self Guided Cycling Tour

Connemara Express
Cycling Tour

Connemara Express

Connemara, on Irelands west coast has a dramatic and breathtaking landscape. It is a place of contrast, wilderness and warm welcomes. Let us take you through towns and villages, each with their own distinct character and local culture. This 7 day award winning cycling adventure will live long in your memory.

Highlights

Natural unspoilt beauty of mountains, lakes, bogs and coast of Connemara
Cong Abbey and Ashford Castle
Killary Fjord and Kylemore Abbey
The serenity of the Doo Lough valley
The Wild Atlantic Way
The Aran Islands
The famous Skye road cycle
The native Irish speaking Gaeltacht regions
The welcoming pubs and traditional music

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 35/40km with extra options up to about 60km most days

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

On day 1 of your cycling tour, you will arrive in Galway city on the west coast of Ireland. We will arrange to meet you for the tour briefing and bike fitting after which, you can explore the pedestrian, medievil streets. Galway to known as a vibrant cultural hub full of musicians, artists, students and tourists. This historic city offers a unique blend of traditonal Irish charm and modern attractions. It is the perfect place to start your cycling tour in Ireland.

Day 2. The Heart Of Connemara, where the cycling begins

Cycling distance options 35 / 60 + km
Accommodation: B&B Leenane

First day cycling. We will transfer you to the heart Connemara where the cycling begins. You will cycle from the ancient village of Cong through Joyce country, to Leenane, an area renowned for its spectacular natural beauty. There are options for further looped cycles from Leenane. Cong is home to the spectacular 800 year old Ashford Castle and Cong Abbey dating from the 9th century.

Day 3. Cycle Into The Spectacular Doo Lough Valley

Cycling distance up to 35km to 70 km
Accommodation: B&B Leenane

From Leenane you will cycle north into the spectacular Doo Lough valley, one of the high-lights of the week. You will cycle via the Sheffrey pass to the pleasant coastal town of Louisburgh, before turning south to return to Leenane.

Day 4. Along The Atlantic Coast To Clifden

Cycling distance options to 35 /50/ 60km
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 5. 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 6. Cycle the Bog Road To Carna

Cycling distance options: 40/ 60km +
Accommodation: B&B Carna

Cycle along the famous bog road to Carna, a small coastal community located in the heart of a Gaeltacht region, where Irish remains the spoken language to this day. Visit some of the pristine beaches that are dotted along the tranquil coast on foot or by bike.

Day 7. Ferry To The Aran Islands

Cycling distance: 35km
Accommodation: B&B Galway

Transfer to the ferry port and catch the morning ferry to the Aran Islands. The islands are an extension of the Burren landscape, with narrow, quiet roads that ideal to explore by bike. 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. Return to the mainland in the late afternoon where you will be transferred 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 + €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 + €225*

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+.

* 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.

Add extra days or shorten your cycling holiday in Ireland to suit your needs or schedule

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 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

€1,400 per person based on 2 people sharing. April, May, June, September, October

€1,500 per person. July and August

€390 single supplement. €700 solo supplement.

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

Included In Tour

7 Nights Accommodation (Includes private en-suite & breakfast)
Trek Touring Bicycle (Including pump, lock, tubes and repair kit)
Ferry Tickets
Luggage Transfers
Easy-to-Read Road Maps
Transportation (Galway to cycle start / cycle end point to Galway)
From €1,400 per person based on 2 people sharing

Connemara Express Cycling Tour