Ireland Experiences
West Coast of Ireland Bike Tour
Our West Coast Self Guided Bike Tour is a Journey of Discovery
Itinerary
Our West Coast of Ireland Bike Tour offers some of the best scenic landscapes in Ireland.
Cliffs of Moher ~Aran Islands~ Connemara
6 Days / 5 Nights Self Led Bike Tour
Euro 995.00 per person sharing. Available from April 2022.
Introduction
Immerse in the history, the culture and the pure magic of the West of Ireland. In the Burren, you will enjoy the Cliffs of Moher experience, stone forts, monuments, alpine and arctic flowers and plants that grow side by side, the seeds having been deposited by glacier millions of years ago. This is the mystical land of disappearing rivers and lakes, closed valleys, caves and limestone pavements. You may even find a real fairy fort!
Our West Coast Self Guided Bike Tour is one of our most popular bike tours in Ireland. We have been offering this biking trip for 20 years and our guests, young and old alike, are always inspired!
Day 1: Welcome to the Emerald Isle!
Here you begin our celebrated tour of the West Coast of Ireland: the Burren region, the Aran Islands and Connemara. We meet in the village of Ballyvaughan at you first overnight tour accommodation. Further details and transfer options will be sent to you upon booking your tour. Welcome meeting and bike fit out with briefing in the late afternoon. You will spend the next two nights here in Ballyvaughan.
DAY 2: Castles and Caves
Today you explore medieval Newtown Castle before setting off on your day’s adventure. This day is designed a leisurely day to bring you into the heart of the Burren, explore Ailwee Caves and the Wild Bird sanctuary where you can watch the falcons fly. A day of history and scenery, of ancient ring forts and dolmans. Onward to the environmental initiative of The Burren – the Burren Interpretative Centre in Kilfenora. Discover a world of wildlife, folklore, ancient archaeology and wonderful plant life. Explore Kilfenora Cathedral and Celtic High Crosses. Overnight in Ballyvaughan.
Daily Miles: Minimum mileage of 15 miles with extensions. Total possible miles: 42.
DAY 3: Moonscapes and Music
A leisurely ride along one of the most scenic coastal routes takes you to the Cliffs of Moher. The flaggy shoreline, Fanore Beach and Blackhead Lighthouse are amongst just some of the points of interest you view along the route this morning. An afternoon ferry ride from the village of Doolin will take you to the historical Aran Islands, where Gaelic is the spoken language. Visit the historical Dun Aengus Hill top fort towering 700 ft above the ocean. Enjoy the vistas of white washed cottages and the intricate network of stone walls. This is a visit you will treasure long after your visit to Ireland. Transfer by ferry and overnight on the Aran Islands.
Daily Miles: Minimum mileage of 19 miles with extensions. Total possible miles: 30.
DAY 4: Ferries and Foxes
Mid Day departure from the Aran Islands to the Rosaveal ferry port. You traverse a route bordered by heather and bracken, through scenery that is wild and barren. Picnic lunch en route followed by a bike ride through the rugged Twelve Bens mountains towards the rugged coastline. Recommended dinner at a local restaurant, where the food and produce are all sourced in the West of Ireland. Overnight in Clifden.
Daily miles: Minimum mileage of 25 miles with extensions. Total possible miles: 45
DAY 5: Seascapes and Sandcastles
Early morning start to Roundstone village, the most picturesque fishing harbour in Connemara where traditional Galway Hooker, lovingly cared for over the years, can be seen on Bertraghboy Bay. Follow the rugged coastline to Ballyconneely, taking time to visit the Connemara Smokehouse, perched on the water’s edge. Here the Roberts’ family run Connemara’s longest established smokehouse and are one of the few specialists in wild smoked salmon. You bike to the Alcock and Brown monument, dedicated to the first transatlantic flight in 1919 from New Foundland. Returning to Clifden via Ballynahinch Castle hotel by way of the scenic bog road where sheep are your only distraction. Tonight you may dine at a nearby award winning, family run restaurant where the seafood is truly the ‘catch of the day’. Overnight in Clifden.
Daily Miles: Minimum of a 19 loop, with longer routes from 22 – 45 miles.
DAY 6: Departure
Today, sadly, today we bid you farewell. This morning you depart from Clifden to your next point. We can assist you with any planning, be it rail, flight or car hire. Please also see our ‘trip arrival and departure’ instructions’ for transport options.
What’s Included?
Trips Includes:
Accommodation on tour days
Breakfasts on tour days
First Day meeting and briefing on tour routes,
Luggage Transfers
Quality 21 speed Trek or Giant Hybrid bikes,
helmets,
Rear panniers
Detailed maps and tour directions
Details for restaurants & points of interest
Toolkit & repair kit
Emergency phone contact numbers
What’s not included?
Trip Does Not Include:
Items of a personal nature including Alcoholic Beverages, Laundry, Personal Telephone calls
Daily Lunch and Evening Meals
Water Bottles
Transfers to and from tour start point
Transfers between hotels
Dates and Pricing
Option: Charming Inns – See here for details of Luxury Option
Euro 995.00 pps
6 Days & 5 Nights
9 day option available: Euro 1395.00 per person sharing
Booking Deposit: Euro 250.00 per person
Single Supplement Euro 250.00
Helpful Notes
Travel Notes
Tour cost: €995.00 per person
• Deposit: €250 per person.
Final payment due 60 days prior to your tour (Money Order, Euro Bank Draft, Credit Card – Visa, MasterCard)
• Cancellation Policy
If you cancel: 61 days or more, prior to your tour we will return your tour payment, less your tour deposit. 60 days or less from the date of the tour you must pay the full tour price.
We strongly recommend you purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance as soon as possible. See www.insuremytrip.com for trip insurance or visit your local travel agent. Please see our Terms and Conditions attached.
Terrain: Intermediate
• Average Daily Mileage: 25 Miles (40 km)
• Average Daily Mileage with Optional Alternatives: 30 Miles (49 km)
Please limit your luggage to 15kg per bag – Mark your luggage clearly with your name, address and phone number.
Arrival to Ireland – Dublin Airport is the closest and most convenient International airport to our tour starting points. Dublin Airport is often a less costly alternative for flights into Ireland. From Dublin we recommend a coach transfer directly from Dublin airport to Galway City. Coach and rail services are readily available and frequent to Galway City. See the below links.
Start Point: Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare. Departure Point: Clifden. Co. Galway
Departure from Ireland – Departure from Clifden to Galway City is available by coach. CycleWest Ireland can offer assistance with private transport arrangements to and from the airport as well as car hire for those of you who wish to avail of this service.
Coach Service: www.citylink.ie
www.buseireann.ie
www.gobus.ie
Rail Service: www.irishrail.ie
