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    Bike Tour

    Donegal From Cliffs to Coast

    16 review(s)

    Next Trip: 6th - 12th Jul 2024 Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

    Save £100 Was £3,210 Now £3,110 View Prices & Dates

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    Trip created by Darragh Devaney
    View Darragh's Profile

    Region: North West – Donegal & Sligo
    Trip Type: Biking
    Accommodation: Classic
    Max Group Size: 10
    Confirmed: When 3 Travellers Book
    Deposit From: £801

    Grading:

    Carbon Footprint: 108kg ? What does this mean?
    Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.

    All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

    Download Itinerary

    Book by March 19th to take advantage of the St. Patrick’s Day Saver and receive €100 off the booking price for some of our favourite trips, that depart before the 31st of August 2024.


    Donegal, once voted the #1 Coolest Place on Earth by National Geographic Traveller, is a corner of Europe overlooked by the rush of the modern world. By biking Donegal, explore rugged mountains, towering cliffs, swathes of white sand beaches and timeless fishing villages.

    Today, biking Donegal is a trip back to another era. Traditional Irish cuisine, sports, music and language are an intricate part of Donegal, a romantically remote region in Ireland’s northwestern-most corner. Experience the freshest local food while biking the rugged coastlines and moors of Donegal, retiring to comfortable and unique lodgings each evening.

    Our biking Donegal route takes us from the cliffs at Slieve League – some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe – through the desolate but beautiful Glenveagh National Park, to the glittering shores of fjord Lough Swilly and along the rugged and rocky coast to Ireland’s northernmost point Malin Head – the backdrop for Star Wars Episode VIII. Hop on a bike and join us in discovering this cool, remote, off-the-beaten-path region of Ireland!

    Trip Highlights

    • Explore Slieve League, some of Europe's highest sea cliffs.
    • Cycle Donegal's remote landscapes - National Geographic's #1 Coolest Place on Earth.
    • Reach Ireland's northernmost point of Ireland, Malin Head, a Star Wars filming location.

    Day by Day Itinerary

    Day 1 – Lough Eske & the Blue Stack Mountains

    From the little market town of Sligo, we head north to the glittering shores of Lough Eske in County Donegal. After a scenic lakeside lunch, we’ll hop on our bikes for an afternoon ride through the unspoilt backcountry and farmlands of southern Donegal with the impressive Bluestack Mountains as our backdrop. (L, D)

    Distance: 33km/20miles

    Day 2 – Slieve League Cliffs & Glengesh Pass

    Cycling off the beaten path, we explore the remote Banagh Peninsula overlooking southern Donegal’s wild coasts. Continuing on our Donegal journey, we kick off our day by rolling down the spectacular Glengesh Pass, voted one of Ireland’s most scenic routes. And then for the star of the show, we will stand overlooking the massive and imposing Slieve League Cliffs, which are some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe, and three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher. We stop to marvel at the majestic cascade, Assaranca Waterfall, before the day’s ride ends in the charming village of Ardara, home to some of Donegal’s famous tweed hand-weavers. (B, L)

    Distance: 64km/40 miles

    Day 3 – Donegal West Coast & Horn Head Peninsula

    Hugging the coast, pedal to the sound of crashing waves pounding on the rocky shores. We detour to explore the fascinating Kilclooney Dolmen, an ancient tomb from the Neolithic era, and older than the Pyramids of Giza. Donegal’s tiny villages and rural landscapes are a veritable time capsule of rural Ireland. After a transfer to the northern stretch of Donegal, we’ll have the chance to explore a spectacular looped ride of the Horn Head Peninsula, rolling through vast moors and desolate bogs as we overlook the sparkling waters of Sheephaven Bay. (B, L)

    Distance: 35 km/22 miles

    Day 4 – Glenveagh National Park

    Today, we’ll bike the desolate yet beautiful mountains and valleys of Glenveagh National Park. Overlooking the lovely Lough Veagh, Glenveagh Castle was inspired by the Victorian idyll of a romantic highland retreat. Enjoy a stroll through the manicured gardens, along the picturesque lakeside or hike above the castle for a stunning panorama of the valley. Back on our bikes, we’ll pedal through the majestic Derryveagh Mountains, following the foothills of Muckish Mountain via a narrow mountain pass. (B, L)

    Distance: 64km/40 miles

    Day 5 – Lough Swilly Fjord

    Continuing our journey north, we’ll bike along an elevated road overlooking the azure shores of Lough Swilly, a huge glacial fjord between Donegal’s two great peninsulas, Fanad Head and Inishowen. We’ll pass the fortified stronghold of Doe Castle, and enjoy brilliant panoramas of northern Donegal’s little-travelled coastline that can feel as if we’re biking at the edge of the world. Tonight, we relax at our accommodation overlooking the white sandy shores of the fjord Lough Swilly – another Donegal hidden gem. (B, L)

    Distance: 61km/38 miles

    Day 6 – Malin Head

    Catching a small ferry across the dazzling Lough Swilly to the rugged Inishowen Peninsula, we follow the eastern shores of the fjord where we’ll bike the wild and remote roads of northern Donegal. Our trip culminates at Malin Head, the northernmost tip of Ireland. A short walk around this rugged headland will transport you to another world since this rocky outcrop was featured in Star Wars – The Last Jedi. Wrapping up an incredible week of cycling, we’ll ascend and descend the spectacular Mamore Gap before we finish our tour back along the shores of Lough Swilly for our final dinner together. (B, L, D)

    Distance: 54 km/33 miles

    Day 7 – Yeats Country & Departure

    County Sligo has long been associated with Ireland’s national poet W.B. Yeats, who drew inspiration from the surrounding mountains, lakes and landscapes. We stop at a tiny monastery under the shadow of the impressive and iconic Benbulben mountain to visit the famous poet’s final resting place. We then head to the bustling town of Sligo – a lovely place for last-minute shopping – before we say goodbye to Ireland’s wild and rugged northwest. (B) 

    X
    Biking
    Donegal From Cliffs to Coast

    To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

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    Trip Dates & Prices

    All payments taken in local currency EUR

    Trip Dates for 2024AvailabilityStatusPriceBook
    6th Jul - 12th Jul 20248 places leftAvailable £3,110Book Now
    24th Aug - 30th Aug 20248 places leftAvailable £3,110Book Now

    Trip Details

    Accommodation Read More

    This trip, biking Donegal From Cliffs to Coast, features local accommodations chosen for their excellent location, service and comfort. All accommodations provide breakfast. Relax by the fire in comfortable, countryside hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses snuggled into some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery surrounding quaint villages known for hand-weaving, the famous Glenveagh National Park and the glittering shores of the fjord Lough Swilly.

    Single Rooms

    There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however, you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you request a double room for single occupancy, a supplement of €400 is charged.

    Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, single supplements are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

    Meals Read More

    Breakfast is provided each morning, as well as lunch and snacks throughout the trip. Dinner is provided on the first and final evening of the trip. The other nights of the trip are free for you to dine where you choose. Local pubs and restaurants offer a wide choice of local dishes. Your guide can provide you with a list of local recommendations and can help you make any necessary reservations.

    Inclusions Read More
    • 7 days professional guiding with a lead guide, plus assistant guide/support driver
    • 6 nights accommodation in 3-star and 4-star hotels/inns/guest houses on a B&B basis
    • Most meals as stated in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
    • Vehicle transport throughout including ride support
    • All luggage transfers throughout the trip
    • Any required ferry transfers
    • Entrance and admission fees as stated in the itinerary
    • Ride snacks, home-baking and drinks and some Wilderness extras
    Trip Grading Read More

    Blue Graded 4-6

    Our blue graded trips are aimed at people who regularly enjoy road cycling and may have completed a multi-day cycle tour before. These trips include the occasional day with steeper climbs, but with plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the view and take photos.

    Harder days are usually followed by much easier ones both in terms of how much distance we cover that day and the number of steep ascents. Most days these trips allow plenty of time for exploring the surrounding area and enjoying relaxed lunches.

    Distance typically ranges from 30-50 miles each with rolling terrain. On some days you can expect some more challenging climbs and steeper descents. But remember, our support minivan will always be available to offer you a ride if you need it.

    Travel – Arrival and Departure Read More

    You will be met by your Wilderness Ireland Guide at Sligo Macdiarmada Train Station at 12:00 on Day 1 of your trip. You will be dropped off at Sligo Macdiarmada Train Station at 13:00 on the last day of your trip.

    You can reach Sligo Train Station via a direct service from Dublin. Please contact us for more detailed information on reaching the start of this trip. Alternatively, please see our Travel to Ireland section here.

    Bike Hire / Bringing Your Own Bike Read More
    Bike Hire

    We have an excellent fleet of bikes available to hire – including road bikes and E-bikes.
    Find Out More

    Bring Your Own Bike

    You are also more than welcome to bring your own bike.

    If you choose to do so, please ensure it’s in excellent working condition and has been recently serviced – either by you or by a reputable bike shop.

    In addition, please bring the following:

    • Multi-tool, including a chain tool
    • Mini pump and/or CO2 canisters
    • Two spare tubes and a puncture repair kit

    Because we will need to load your bike onto one of our trailers, please ensure that:

    • Your rear wheel is clear of any obstructions; including lights, mudguard or panniers
    • Your tyres are no wider than 45mm

    Due to the nature of our trips, we are unfortunately unable to carry bike boxes or bags with us, so please make prior arrangements if necessary.

    If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our friendly and knowledgable sales team are always delighted to answer any queries you may have.

    Photo Gallery

    Make This Trip Private

    Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your prefered departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

    Speak to an Expert

    Darragh Devaney

    Darragh is Wilderness Ireland’s Operations Manager. As the team’s resident bike expert, Darragh has helped research, design and even guide nearly all of Wilderness Ireland’s bike trips. When not in the office, Darragh can usually be found exploring little-known corners of Ireland on two wheels or camping in the countryside with his family.

    Ask Darragh a Question

    Meet Your Guide

    Difficulty Grades Explained

    Blue Grades 4-6

    The road cycling trips that we offer are graded to take into account a combination of the general level of fitness required and the number of miles cover as well as the daily ascent and estimated saddle time.

    Our blue graded trips are aimed at people who regularly enjoy road cycling and may have completed a multi-day cycle tour before. These trips include the occasional day with steeper climbs, but with plenty of opportunity to stop and to admire the view and take photos.

    Harder days are usually followed by much easier ones both in terms of how much distance we cover that day and the number of steep ascents. Most days these trips allow plenty of time for exploring the surrounding area and to enjoy relaxed lunches.

    Distance typically range from 30-50 miles each with rolling terrain. On some days you can expect some more challenging climbs and steeper descents. But remember, our support minivan will always be available to offer you a ride if you need it!

    Before joining this trip, the questions you should be asking yourself are:

    Are you happy being on your bike for around six hours each day for several days in a row?

    Do you regularly ride your bike most weeks or have you done a multi day tour recently?

    Are you comfortable climbing and descending steep roads?

    Trip Reviews

    Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 16 review(s) of Bike Tour – Donegal From Cliffs to Coast

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    Every client receives a feedback survey when they return from their guided, self guided or tailor made holiday with us. Once completed the review is published on our website just as soon as our database updates. The little touches and details are important to us and where issues are raised we make positive changes to our trips to improve your experience.

    That’s why we read each of our client’s reviews and although we don’t respond to all of them, if it’s glowing feedback then we get the satisfaction of helping to make your holidays truly memorable.

    MM

    Martina Merkle

    Reviewed on 07/08/2023

    Age: 50 - 60
    Country: Switzerland
    Trip Date: 15/07/2023
    Trips Taken: 1

    The Bottom Line

    The Bottom Line

    very well organized, great hotels - convenience with the two nights stays, excellent food, good mix of group dinner and individual dinner, excellent bike material [Trek roadbikes], super scenic routes, small group.

    CL

    Christine Lawson

    Reviewed on 02/08/2023

    Age: 60 - 70
    Country: United States
    Trip Date: 15/07/2023
    Trips Taken: 1

    The Bottom Line

    The Bottom Line

    One if the greatest trips I have ever taken. I loved all of it and will recommend it wholeheartedly and without reservation! Thanks again!!

    TB

    Tom Brogan

    Reviewed on 28/07/2023

    Age: 70 - 80
    Country: United States
    Trip Date: 15/07/2023
    Trips Taken: 1

    The Bottom Line

    The Bottom Line

    It is a very challenging route but well worth the experience

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