Trip created by Patricia Doe
View Patricia's Profile

Region: West – Connemara, Burren & Aran Islands
Trip Type: Biking
Accommodation: Classic
Max Group Size: 8
Confirmed: When 3 Travellers Book
Deposit From €665.00 €665.00

Grading:

Carbon Footprint: 151kg ? 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

Imagine biking through the dramatic windswept bog-lands of Connemara on a mountainous backdrop, the steep cliffs of the Aran Islands, the lunar-esque limestone landscape of the Burren and the white sand beaches of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Follow the Wild Atlantic Way coastline to pedal through Connemara’s rugged moors, hop across the Aran Islands before biking to the Cliffs of Moher.

Remote and wild, Ireland’s west coast has its own distinct culture and traditions – places like the Aran Islands are the last holdouts of the Irish Gaelic language. The Burren is one of Ireland’s most intriguing natural phenomena. On your Connemara and Aran Islands bike trip, pedal from coast to island to explore a landscape infused with the folklore, traditions, charm and spirit of the people by bike.

Cosy pubs and warm conversation are natural compliments to the exhilaration of riding through these majestic landscapes. Looking for the perfect first-time bike trip in Ireland? You’ve just found it.

Need a bike? See our bike rental page for details.

Trip Highlights

Bike in Connemara National Park and along the famous Sky Road.
Two nights on the Aran Islands & off the beaten path visit to the Cliffs of Moher.
Discover why the otherworldly Burren National Park is the hidden treasure of West Ireland.

Did you know?

This trip can be booked as a private departure

Learn more

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Connemara's Sky Road

After meeting in Galway, we head to Clifden, a small and charming village at the heart of Connemara. After your custom biking fitting, it’s time for a warm-up ride – and what a ride it is as we head out along the aptly-named Sky Road. There’s just enough climbing to get us warmed up for the trip ahead. But the climbs reward us with incredible elevated views over the spectacular Connemara Wild Atlantic Way coastline. Back in Clifden, discuss the journey that lies ahead over a delicious dinner. (L, D)

Distance: 16 km/10 miles

Day 2 – Biking Connemara National Park

We spend our day biking through the majestic landscapes in the northern part of Connemara. Passing though Connemara National Park, we continue our journey biking towards Lough Inagh, where we enjoy lunch at a traditional fishing lodge. The final stage of our day in the saddle follows the ‘Bog Road’, an undulating country road that sweeps its way through the lowlands of Connemara’s bogs and brings us back to Clifden. (B, L, D)

Distance: 40 km/25 miles

Day 3 – Connemara to the Aran Islands

A bike route around Connemara’s most picturesque coastline awaits as we pedal along the beautiful shoreline through undulating stretches of blanket bog. The landscape opens out to panoramic sea views as we head towards the harbour, where we will board our ferry. The largest of the Aran Islands, Inis Mór, will be our cosy island retreat for the next two nights. Leaving our road bikes on the mainlands, we’ll pick up rental bikes once on Inis Mór – ideal for tackling the rough island roads. (B, L, D)

Distance: 55 km/34 miles

Day 4 – Exploring Inis Mor on the Aran Islands

Waking up in our quaint island lodgings, we hop on our bikes to visit the impressive clifftop fort of Dun Aonghasa, balanced precariously on the edge of a sheer sea cliff. On the southwest edge of the island, those with a head for heights can descend onto a limestone shelf to view the worm-hole, an enormous rectangular blow-hole where the Red Bull World Cliff Diving Championship was recently held. After lunch, we have free time to explore fascinating Inis Mór by bike or on foot, perhaps digging deeper into its history or learning a bit of Gaelic from a local in an island pub. Sláinte! (B, L, D)

Distance: 28 km/17 miles

Day 5 – The Cliffs of Moher

Returning to the mainland at Doolin village in County Clare, our first stop is the famous Cliffs of Moher, which we will view from the water, getting a true sense of scale and the opportunity to see the bird colonies inhabiting the rock face. Back on our bikes, we set out on a beautiful coastal route. At the edge of the wild, moon-like Burren region, our route zips through beautiful craggy terrain, ending at the Atlantic. Feel the fresh, salty breeze off the ocean and listen to the tune of crashing waves below as you bike along this scenic headland. (B, L, D)

Distance: 30 km/18.5 miles

Day 6 – Biking the Burren National Park

The Burren National Park may just be Ireland’s greatest secret. Its other-worldly limestone landscape contains a fascinating mix of unusual flora, fauna, geology and ancient archeology alongside thriving farming communities. Our ride is full of intrigue as we pedal up short climbs and across rolling terrain, admiring sights such as the amazing Neolithic-era monument, the Poulnabrone Dolmen. We save the most exciting stage for the end when we descend Corkscrew Hill back to Ballyvaughan. This twisting descent provides panoramic views across the Burren and Galway Bay – the perfect finale to our journey. The ideal way to end your trip through Connemara and the Burren is with a tasty celebratory dinner to toast your accomplishments. (B, L, D)

Distance: 50 km/31 miles

Day 7 – Depart

After breakfast, we say goodbye to The Burren and start making our way back to Galway. On the way, we’ll have the chance to stop at the ruins of a lovely 13th-century Cistercian abbey or perhaps stretch our legs on the fascinating Flaggy Shore, home to rocks left behind by the Ice Age and a 19th-century Martello tower. (B)

This itinerary is subject to changes and improvements.

Download Itinerary

Biking

Connemara & The Aran Islands

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

Trip Dates & Prices

Trip Dates for 2023	Availability	Status	Price	Book
13th May - 19th May 2023	8 places left	UNCONFIRMED	€2,660	Book Now
9th Sep - 15th Sep 2023	7 places left	UNCONFIRMED	€2,660	Book Now

Trip Details

Expand All

Accommodation Read More

This trip 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 the famous Connemara National Park, the craggy Burren National Park and the rugged Aran Islands.

We do not charge single person supplements to people booking on their own. However, you will be expected to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you specifically require a single room you will have to pay the single supplement charge which is subject to availability.

Meals Read More

Breakfast is provided each morning, and all lunches and snacks are provided throughout the trip. Dinner is provided every night as stated in the itinerary.

All meals are included in the price of this trip. Local pubs and restaurants offer a wide choice of local dishes.

On this trip, we generally eat dinner as a group however if you would like to make alternative arrangements you are free to do so. Your guide will have an evening off during this trip where they do not eat with the group. They will recommend options for dinner that evening and will help you make any necessary reservations.

Inclusions Read More

6 days of cycling with a lead guide plus assistant guide/support driver
6 nights accommodation in unique and cosy 3 star and 4 star guest houses and hotels
All Meals as stated in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Pickup and transport during trip, starting and finishing in Galway
Vehicle transport throughout including ride support
Regular luggage transfers
Entrance and admission fees as stated in the itinerary
Ride snacks and drinks

Trip Grading Read More

Green Graded 1-3

Our green graded trips would usually include shorter days, with fewer ascents and more stops along the way.
The green graded trips have been designed to be accessible so that they appeal both to active people who enjoy road cycling but prefer flatter terrain and to people new to cycle touring but want a new way to experience the country.

On most days the itinerary is a relaxed combination of saddle time, scenic lunch stops and time to explore the natural and cultural history.

As with all of our road cycling trips, we have a guide riding with you on the road but also have a dedicated support vehicle, so if you need a break at any time, you can jump in the minivan and give your legs a rest.
Distances typically range from 25-35 miles each day with possibly one or two slightly longer days between key stages of the itinerary. The terrain is generally flat with one or two short climbs.

Travel – Arrival and Departure Read More: You will be met by your Wilderness Ireland guide at Galway Ceannt Train Station at 12.00 pm on Day 1 of your trip. We will drop you off at Galway Ceannt Train Station by 1.00 pm on the last day of the trip. For details on how to get to Galway, please see the travel section of our website.

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

View Profile

Patricia Doe

An avid cyclist and hiker, Patricia enjoys exploring Ireland’s wild landscapes every chance she gets – she particularly loves the under-appreciated regions of Mayo, Connemara, Sligo and Donegal. Having spent nearly a decade in the hospitality industry, Patricia is an expert on Ireland’s luxury and unique accommodations. As Wilderness Ireland’s General Manager and head of the sales team, Patricia is ready to help make your Irish adventure spectacular.

Ask Patricia a Question

Meet Your Guide

Andrew Lynas
13th May - 19th May 2023

Pearse O'Toole
9th Sep - 15th Sep 2023

View guides for all departures

Difficulty Grades Explained

Green Grades 1-3

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 green graded trips would usually include shorter days, with less ascents and more stops along the way.

The green graded trips have been designed to be accessible so that they appeal both to active people who enjoy road cycling but prefer flatter terrain and to people new to cycle touring but want a new way to experience the country.

On most days the itinerary is a relaxed combination of saddle time, scenic lunch stops and time to explore the natural and cultural history.

Distances typically range from 25-35 miles each day with possibly one or two slightly longer days between key stages of the itinerary. The terrain is generally flat with one or two short climbs. Before joining this trip, the questions you should be asking yourself are:

Are you generally active and enjoy riding a road or hybrid bike?

Are you up for a challenge, cycling each day in a small group, and having a lot of fun?

Trip Reviews

Rated 5.00 out of 5 based on 6 review(s) of Bike Tour – Connemara & The Aran Islands

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.

Bill King

Reviewed on 25/09/2022

Age: 80 - 90
Country: United States
Trip Date: 10/09/2022
Trips Taken: 2

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

My trip was excellent up to the last day, Unfortunately that is when Covid 19 hit me. I am fully vaccinated and boosted but as bad luck would have it I still was struck down and 8 days later am still quarantining at home. As far as I know only one other person on our trip got Covid (fellow American).

John Elmendorf

Reviewed on 24/09/2022

Age: 80 - 90
Country: United States
Trip Date: 10/09/2022
Trips Taken: 2

The Bottom Line

Mairi Maciver

Reviewed on 19/09/2022

Age: 60 - 70
Country: United Kingdom
Trip Date: 10/09/2022
Trips Taken: 2

The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

We had an amazing fun filled trip with two great guides. We also had great weather which was an added bonus. Wilderness Ireland is a good company to book a cycling adventure with.

Load More Reviews

Wilderness Scotland

Connemara & The Aran Islands

Travel Planning & Advice

Trip Highlights

Did you know?

This trip can be booked as a private departure

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Connemara's Sky Road

Day 2 – Biking Connemara National Park

Day 3 – Connemara to the Aran Islands

Day 4 – Exploring Inis Mor on the Aran Islands

Day 5 – The Cliffs of Moher

Day 6 – Biking the Burren National Park

Day 7 – Depart

Trip Dates & Prices

Trip Details

Green Graded 1-3

Photo Gallery

Make This Trip Private

Speak to an Expert

Patricia Doe

Meet Your Guide

Difficulty Grades Explained

Trip Reviews

The Bottom Line

Trip Comments

Accommodation & Food

Your Guide

The Bottom Line

Want more Wilderness in your life?

Select Your Main Interest Below

Check out more great content from our teams in Scotland and England