GALWAY & ISLANDS CYCLING TOUR - The charming Connemara region including the vibrant and historic city of Galway is where your tour travels. Another hightlight is the visit to Inishmore, the biggest of the Aran Islands just off the Connemara coast. You can enjoy B&B lodging in charming Irish villages where you will find traditional Irish music and welcoming locals. This rural part of Ireland is a great escape, and truly relaxing; quiet country roads, roadside pubs, clean sea-swept air make each ride a delight.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival Day
Arrival in Galway– from Dublin by train or air, you can arrive at this vibrant university town. If you arrive in Shannon we can help with alternate arrival plans. You have a night in a very comfortable 4 star hotel included right in the heart of old town Galway where you can find restaurants, pubs, and more. Tip: flights from Dublin on Aeran Air are cheap and faster than trains.
Day 2 | Ride Day 25 miles
In the morning, before riding, you will be met for an orientation, bike delivery, and then a transfer out of town to start your riding. The ride is a moderate 25 miles to to the small fishing village of Oughterard, and the ride takes quiet country back roads and passing Lough Corrib. Night in a very charming guesthouse, and dinner on your own. (B)
Day 3 | Ride Day/Island Ferry - 20 miles plus option
From Oughterard, you will cycle the scenic plateau of deserted moorland towards South Connemara. You will depart for Rossaveal, a few miles away, where you will meet the ferry to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Island chain. You will take your overnight gear with you, and the rest of your luggage will be transfered to tomorrow night's hotel. On Inishmore, discover island life and visit the famous Dun Aengus fort, perched alongside a cliff, you can ponder its origins and design. You will stay in a local guesthouse and enjoy a homemade dinner. This is quite rural, but a nearby pub provides some local culture! (B,D)
Day 4 | Ride Island/Ferry Return - 10-20 miles
Spend a good part of your day visiting the antiquities of Inishmore including its christian monasteries and churches. At 4pm take the ferry back to the Connemara town of Rossaveal, and on to an area where Gaelic is still the first language and in Costelloe is the Irish speaking radio and television stations. Stay tonight in an Edwardian fishing lodge with dinner included (B,D).
Day 5 | Ride Day 20 miles plus option
IYou have a beautiful cycle day today around the Kilkieran Peninsula dotted with sandy beaches, coastal scenery, and bogscapes. Arrive later at Cashel where you will stay the night in a friendly and deluxe hotel. Cashel is located on Bertraghboy Bay and was a destination of Charles de Gaulle (where he stayed in the same hotel). (B,D) Enjoy dinner in the restaurant with sunset on the Atlantic for a view!
Day 6 | Ride to Clifden 23 miles
Today you will ride to Clifden passing the charming fishing village of Roundstone, made famous by the painters who have admired it for its harbor and ocean views. You will ride past sandy beaches and have a view of the Twelve Bens peaks on the way to Clifden, about 23 miles. Stay in a very charming guesthouse, dinner on your own. (B) Upgrades possible.
Day 7 | Loop Ride 10-35 miles
You can choose a ride from 10 miles to 35 miles today, riding around Sky Road to admire the views over the atlantic and the islands or go further to Claddaghduff and the fishing village of Cleggan before returning to Clifden. Dinner on your own. A good night to visit one of Clifden's many pubs - note that pubs in Ireland are now smoke free! (B)
Day 8 | Departure Day
Depart at your leisure for Galway; an express bus is suggested, but private taxi transfer is possible for a supplement. (B)
Details
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Dates: Anytime from April to October; about weather: the region has mild temperatures year round; and rain can happen any time but is rarely sustained. Everyone is advised to bring a rain jacket, but green fields, rainbows, and welcoming inns will make you forget!
Accommodation: [Virtual Hotel Tour] top quality guesthouses; 4 star hotels; please inquire for more info or lookup: Park House Hotel, Waterfall Lodge, Zetland House, Buttermilk Lodge, Screebe House, Ard Einne.
Bike 92 Euros: [Click for image] Cannondale hybrids, 24 speed deore lx, grip shift, aluminum frame suspension fork and saddle, with helmet, tire repair kit, handlebar bag, water bottle, rear panniers, rides from 10-35 miles, mostly flat to rolling terrain. Includes delivery, pickup, and fitting.
Trip includes: 7 nights deluxe lodging, all Irish breakfasts, 3 dinners, luggage transfer, local emergency support, arrival orientation and bike fitting, transfer to Inishmore roundtrip, route maps, route cue sheets, travel planning services. Price is per person based upon double occupancy.
Other Notes: triples and quads are occassionally available, please inquire at the time of booking. Child rates are available, equipment limited.
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Tour Details - At a Glance
Galway, Ireland
B&B lodging, Irish folk music, ferry plus Inishmore/Aran Islands overnight
Duration
8 days & 7 nights
Dates 2008
Any date, On request from April - October.
What is self-guided cycling?
Price
1135 Euros per person, double occupancy. Single supplement: 340-450 Euros. Triples available.
(convert)
Level
Level 1-2
Easy to Intermediate; longer options, some rolling countryside
Bike Rental Info
24 speed lightweight Cannondale or Orbit hybrid - see details below. Note: pedals are flat or with clips; if you bring your own clipless pedals and shoes we can install them.
Options
Bike Ride options
Dublin and Galway stopovers
Hotel upgrades
Massages/Spa visits
Tours
More Ireland Bicycle Tours
Images from this Tour
Local Coordinator  Wilma is your local coordinator for this trip, who will meet you for orientation and assist you for emergency support throughout the trip. Wilma has lived and cycled throughout Connemara and Western Ireland for many years and is a local expert. Customer Comments
"The trip exceeded my expectations in just about every way. It was awesome and challenging to be alone on a bike in a foreign country. I would recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure who is in good health."
– Van Hook B.
"I wanted to tell you what a fantastic time my sister and I had in Ireland. The hotels were great and the people very friendly. We especially enjoyed the beautiful scenery."
- Abracen M.
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