Connemara Express
Self-Guided Cycling Tour
Connemara Express
The Connemara Express is a 7-night self-guided cycling tour through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the west of Ireland. Beginning in Galway City, the route travels west to Oughterard before continuing via Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands and onwards through Connemara National Park.
After a night on the island, return by ferry to Rossaveal and cycle through Connemara to Clifden, where you will spend two nights. Choose from several coastal rides around Clifden or take a rest day before continuing past Kylemore Abbey to Leenane and through Joyce Country to the historic village of Cong.
The tour combines quiet country roads, Atlantic coastline, mountains, lakes, blanket bog and traditional villages. Your accommodation is booked in locally run hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses, while we transfer your luggage each day. After your final night in Cong, an included morning transfer will bring you back to Galway bus and train station.
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
- Inis Mór and Dún Aonghasa
- The famous Sky Road cycle
- Irish speaking Gaeltacht communities
- The welcoming pubs and traditional music
- Flexible daily routes, with shorter rides, longer options and a possible rest day
This seven-night self-guided cycling tour begins in Galway City and finishes in the historic village of Cong. After your final night in Cong, an included morning transfer will bring you back to Galway bus and train station.
Cycling distance:
Most cycling days are between 30 and 60 km, with optional routes of up to approximately 75 km. The two-night stay in Clifden allows you to choose from several local rides or take a full rest day.
Terrain:
The terrain is mainly rolling, with some longer gradual climbs through Connemara. There are no prolonged steep mountain climbs. The tour is suitable for leisure cyclists who are comfortable cycling on consecutive days, with e-bikes available for those who would like additional assistance.
Departure dates:
You can begin this tour on any date between April and October, subject to availability.
Day 1. Arrive in Galway city
Accommodation: B&B/Hotel Galway city
Arrive in Galway and settle into your accommodation in the heart of the city. We will meet you for a personal tour briefing and bike fitting, making sure you are comfortable with your bicycle, navigation and the week ahead.
If you arrive in Galway after 6pm, your briefing and bike fitting will take place at 10am the following morning before you begin cycling.
The rest of the day is yours to explore Galway’s pedestrian streets, independent shops, cafés and traditional pubs. Known for its lively atmosphere and strong music scene, Galway is an enjoyable place to begin your cycling tour through Connemara.
Day 2. Galway to Oughterard
Distance and climb: 34 km +240 m
Optional Lough Corrib extension: additional 27 km +250 m
Total with extension: 61 km +490 m
Accommodation: Hotel/B&B in Oughterard
Your first cycling day takes you out of Galway City and into the countryside surrounding Lough Corrib. As the city falls behind, the route follows quieter roads through a landscape of green fields, stone walls and scattered farms before reaching Oughterard, a lively village known as the gateway to Connemara.
The standard route provides a relaxed introduction to the tour, leaving plenty of time to explore Oughterard and enjoy the village during the afternoon.
For a longer ride, continue from Oughterard on an optional out-and-back route along the shores of Lough Corrib. This peaceful road offers wonderful views across the lake and the surrounding Connemara countryside before returning to Oughterard for the night.
Day 3. Cycle to Rossaveel and Take the Ferry to Inis Mór
Distance and climb to Rossaveel: 29 km +360m
Cycling on Inis Mór: 16 km +170m, with options for further exploration
Accommodation: Hotel/B&B on Inis Mór
Leaving Oughterard, cycle south through the bogland and open countryside of Connemara to Rossaveel ferry port. From Rossaveel, take the 1 pm ferry to Inis Mór. The ferry journey takes approximately 45 minutes.
Inis Mór is the largest of the Aran Islands and a wonderful place to explore by bike. Quiet roads wind between limestone fields, dry-stone walls and historic sites. The suggested island route is approximately 16 km, with plenty of opportunities to cycle farther. Visit Dún Aonghasa, the spectacular prehistoric stone fort perched high above the Atlantic, before spending the night on the island.
Guests using one of our e-bikes must leave it at Rossaveel because e-bikes are not permitted on the ferry. Please take the battery with you and charge it overnight at your accommodation. A separate e-bike can easily be hired for your island ride from the bike-hire shop directly beside the ferry pier on Inis Mór. The cost of the island e-bike hire is not included in the tour price. Your West Ireland Cycling e-bike will be available again when you return to Rossaveel the following morning.
Day 4. Return to Rossaveel and Cycle to Clifden
Distance and climb: 58 km +380 m
Accommodation: Hotel/B&B in Clifden
Take the morning ferry from Inis Mór back to Rossaveel. Guests travelling with e-bikes can collect their bikes and reattach the fully charged batteries before beginning the day’s ride.
From Rossaveel, cycle west through the blanket bogland and scattered lakes of south Connemara, with wonderful views of the Maumturk Mountains in the distance. Stop for a break at the Pearse Cultural Centre before continuing along quiet country roads towards Clifden.
Known as the capital of Connemara, Clifden is a lively and welcoming town with plenty of cafés, restaurants and traditional pubs. You will spend the next two nights here, giving you time to explore the surrounding coastline by bike or enjoy a more leisurely day.
Day 5. Explore the coast around Clifden
Sky Road loop: 31 km +370 m
Errislannan Peninsula loop: 22 km +190 m
Roundstone loop: 42 km +310 m
Accommodation: Hotel/B&B in Clifden
With a second night in Clifden, today is flexible. Choose from three scenic cycling routes of different lengths, or take a full rest day and enjoy the town.
The famous Sky Road loop is one of Connemara’s most spectacular coastal rides, with sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean and its offshore islands. The Errislannan Peninsula offers a shorter ride along quiet country roads, with panoramic views of the coastline and the Twelve Bens mountains.
For a longer day, cycle south through Derrigimlagh, a remarkable site associated with two milestones in transatlantic history: Marconi’s pioneering wireless station and the landing place of Alcock and Brown following the first non-stop transatlantic flight in 1919. Continue to the colourful fishing village of Roundstone before looping back to Clifden for the night.
Day 6. Cycle from Clifden to Leenane via Kylemore Abbey
Distance and climb: 46 km +480 m
Optional Cleggan extension: additional 27 km +210 m
Total with Cleggan extension: 73 km +690 m
Optional Doo Lough ride from Leenane: additional 37 km +270 m
This can also be completed the following morning
Accommodation: Hotel/B&B in Leenane
Set out north from Clifden towards Leenane, with several interesting places to visit along the way. Riders looking for a longer day can begin with an optional coastal extension to the small harbour village of Cleggan.
Continue through Letterfrack and Tully, enjoying views of the Atlantic coastline and the mountains of Connemara. Stop at Kylemore Abbey, one of Connemara’s best-known landmarks, before continuing towards Leenane on the shores of Killary Fjord.
After arriving in Leenane, you can take an optional out-and-back ride through the spectacular Doo Lough Valley. Surrounded by mountains, lakes and open countryside, this is one of the most impressive landscapes of the tour. The Doo Lough ride can also be completed the following morning before cycling to Cong.
Day 7. Cycle Through Joyce Country from Leenane to Cong
Distance and climb: 41 km +390 m
Optional Doo Lough ride: additional 37 km +270 m
Total with Doo Lough option: 78 km +650 m
Accommodation: Hotel/B&B in Cong
If you did not complete the optional Doo Lough ride the previous afternoon, you can begin the day with this beautiful out-and-back route before leaving Leenane.
The main route to Cong follows quiet country roads through the valleys of Connemara and Mayo. Cycle beside Lough Nafooey and through the wild landscape of Joyce Country, passing stone walls, open farmland and grazing sheep along the way.
Continue through the village of Clonbur before arriving in the historic village of Cong. Take time to explore Cong Abbey, the village’s woodland trails and the area around Ashford Castle before enjoying your final night.
At the end of the ride, simply leave your bicycles and equipment at your accommodation in Cong. We will collect everything after your departure.
Day 8. Transfer from Cong to Galway
After breakfast, an included transfer will depart Cong at 10 am and bring you to Galway bus and train station.
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 2026.
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 2026.
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 2026
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.
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
- Digital Navigation App with routes & tour info (paper maps on request, €20 pp)
- Transfer from Cong to Galway bus/train station on the final morning
- From €1,400 per person based on 2 people sharing
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