Westport Way Cycling Tour
Westport Way Tour
The Westport Way tour starts in Galway and includes 2 nights in the pleasant town of Westport, known as the adventure capital of Ireland. Westport was also one of the first towns in Ireland to develop its own purpose build cycling Greenway. Constructed on the remains of an abandoned railway line, the greenway extends from the town of Westport to Achill island some 42km to the west. This makes it an ideal area to explore on a cycling holiday.
After Westport, the cycling goes south along the Atlantic coast to Louisburgh, Delphi and Leenane. The scenery is simply breathtaking with beautiful valleys, lakes, windy hills and forests, which I am sure you will treasure for a long time to come.
Continue along the Atlantic coast to the vibrant town of Clifden.
Highlights
Westport town and greenway
Galway city
The welcoming pubs and traditional music
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 famous Skye road cycle
This 6 night cycling tour starts in Galway city and finishes in Clifden, 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 50km with extra options up to about 80km 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
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 from Cong to Westport
Cycling distance up to 60km
Accommodation: B&B Westport
First day cycling. We will transfer you to Cong, home of the magnificent Ashford Castle. From Cong you will cycle through Joyce country, an area renowned for its natural beauty and onward via the Partry mountains to Westport. The cycle over the Party offers unparalleled views of the surrounding countryside and lakes.
| Day 3. Exploring The Westport Greenway
Cycling distance: Up to 85km
Accommodation: B&B Westport
Spend the day exploring the Westport Greenway. The greenway passes some of Irelands most dramatic landscape and offers fantastic views of the coast and Clew bay. Return to Wesport for the night.
| Day 4. Cycle From Westport to Leenane
Distance: Up to 50 km
Accommodation: B&B Leenane
You will cycle south from Westport along the coast passing the famous Croagh Patrick mountain before continuing to Louisburgh where you will turn inland and continue through the spectacular Doo Lough valley to the village of Leenane where you will spend the night.
| Day 5. Cycle from Leenane along the Atlantic coast to Clifden
Cycling distance: 35km / 60km / 80km
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 Abbey 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 6. Explore Clifden by bike
Cycling distance: 30km to 60km
Accommodation: B&B Clifden
After breakfast, you can further explore the area around Clifden by bike, including the famous Skye Road which offers magnificent views of the surrounding coast. Visit the historic site of Derrigimlagh, the site of the first ever transatlantic flight crash landing before cycling back to Clifden for the final night of the tour.
Option 1:
Trek FX2 Adventure 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
6 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
(Transfer on Day 2)From €1,250 per person based on 2 people sharing
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