DAY 1 GALWAY CITY / CLONBUR
Meeting with the guide at 6.30pm in the bar of Jury’s Galway Inn Hotel at the bottom of Quay Street in the center of Galway city.
This is a meeting point only and not where you are staying. If you get there early you can leave your bags in the left luggage room at the Hotel Reception and then go for a stroll around the town. Galway is a very historical city with a great atmosphere so you can spend the afternoon pottering around the many shops in the old town or calling into one of the many pubs to listen to some traditional music. After dinner and an introductory chat from the guide we take a coach transfer to the village of Clonbur which lies on the peninsula between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, on the Galway/Mayo border. Once settled into our accommodation there is a chance to enjoy a drink and some traditional Irish music.
DAY 2 CLONBUR TO WESTPORT 38 miles / 60 kms
Once fitted out with bikes, we head north along the quiet back roads through rolling green fields full of grazing sheep, before descending down to Lough Mask and a wonderful cycle along the shores of the lake. After lunch we have our biggest climb of the week over the Partry Mountains and then cycle along a quiet back road with stunning views of the surrounding landscape all the way to colourful village of Westport.
DAY 3 WESTPORT TO LEENANE 33 miles / 52 kms
We cycle between Croagh Patrick and the beautiful Clew Bay with its many small islands, to the village of Louisburgh where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we head south through one of the highlights of the week, the stunning Delphi Valley with its beautiful lakes overlooked by Ben Bury, the highest mountain in Connemara. That night we stay in the small village of Leenane which looks out over Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord.
DAY 4 LEENANE TO ROUNDSTONE 45 miles / 72kms
We cycle into the heart of Connemara overlooked by the Twelve Bens mountain range and visit Kylemore Abbey, a wedding gift from a wealthy Liverpool businessman to his wife in 1868. We then cycle along quiet backroads past small fields with grazing cattle to the seaside village of Cleggan where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we follow the scenic coast road to Clifden where you can watch cars travel across the beach to Omey Island only accessible when the tide is out! After a stop-off in Clifden, the capital of Connemara , we cycle along a quiet country bog road surrounded by small lakes and freshly cut peat with wonderful views of the Twelve Ben mountain range. That night we stay in the picturesque fishing village of Roundstone where we will spend the next two nights.
DAY 5 REST DAY IN ROUNDSTONE
The day can be spent in rest and relaxation or you can take part in a variety of activities, including a day sailing cruise, walking, and a game of golf or horse riding. You can also spend the day just relaxing on one of the two beautiful white sandy beaches just outside the village overlooking a clear blue sea. In the evening a ceili is typically organized in the hotel where we are staying or nearby.
DAY 6 ROUNDSTONE TO ARAN ISLANDS 32 miles / 51 kms
We cycle along beautiful waterways and another picturesque bog road with its freshly cut peat waiting to be harvested, both offering wonderful views of the surrounding countryside before cycling the final afternoon stretch to the ferry in Rossaveel which will bring us to Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands where we will spend the night.
DAY 7 ARAN ISLANDS TO GALWAY 22 miles / 35kms
The day can be spent touring the unique landscape of the island with its wealth of ancient stone forts and monastic sights. In the late afternoon we return to the mainland and take a bus back to Galway city. We have a final dinner and night on the town together before going our separate ways the following morning.
You have all day to cover the trip so you can take your time to stop at places of interest. With the exception of roads in and out of Galway the traffic on the route should be quite light. However you should cycle carefully at all times , especially when going downhill or during any rain showers.
DAY 8 Departure
Self Guided Option:
DAY 1 GALWAY CITY
When you arrive in Galway make your way to your accommodation anytime after 2.00pm. You can then explore this bustling medieval city. We will send you on full accommodation details and the necessary contact details for your tour closer to your departure date. A folder containing your route details, will be waiting for you at the guesthouse, along with your bikes which will be serviced and ready to go!
DAY 2 GALWAY / CONG TO WESTPORT 40 miles / 64 kms
In the morning a local taxi operator will also meet you at the guesthouse at 9.30 am and then transfer you to Cong where the tour proper starts and you get on your bikes! You head north along quiet back roads through rolling green fields full of grazing sheep, before descending down to Lough Mask and a wonderful cycle along the lake. You can stop for lunch in a pub overlooking the Lake. In the afternoon you have your biggest climb of the week over the Partry Mountains and along a quiet back road with stunning views of the surrounding landscape before coming to Westport.
DAY 3 to DAY 8 same itinerary as guided option.
Starting times:
Each of the tours start with a meeting of the group at 6.30pm on the Saturday evening in a central hotel close to the local train and bus station. This is only a meeting point, typically the group will be staying in nearby guesthouses. The guide is able to return to the meeting place at 9.30pm again that evening. After an introductory talk the guide will organise an evening meal and direct clients to their first nights bed & breakfast accommodation.
For those arriving unexpectedly late they can phone our office number in Dublin and the guides’ mobile phone number will be on our answering machine.
Distances:
The average cycling distance is an easy 30 – 40 miles (48- 64 km) with longer routes being available most days. The safaris are suitable for adults of all ages and fitness levels but the tours are not suited for children under 13 years of age.
There are a number of hills on the route but you have all day to do the cycling. You will be provided with a more comprehensive route description and map at the start of the tour. There is an option each day for a variety of longer routes. With the exception of the roads in and out of Killarney, the traffic on the route should be quite light. You should however cycle carefully at all times, especially when going downhill.