Bike Tour
Connemara and the Aran Islands

Day 1 – The Sky Road

After meeting in Galway, a short transfer takes us to Clifden, a small and charming village in the heart of Connemara. We’ll start with a warm-up ride along the aptly-named Sky Road. Enjoy rewarding, bird’s eye views over the spectacular Connemara coastline before returning to Clifden for a hearty Irish dinner. (L,D)

Distance: 16 km/10 miles

Day 2 – Biking Connemara National Park

Distance: 4o 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 Coral Beach and Dog’s Bay and into the wee fishing village of Roundstone. Stretch your legs with a stroll around Roundstone’s lovely centre before hopping on to a ferry across Galway Bay to Inis Mór. 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: 23 km/14 miles

Day 4 – Exploring Inis Mor on the Aran Islands

Waking up in our quaint island home, we hop on our bikes to visit the impressive Dun Aonghasa fort, 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 edge of the island 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 the fascinating Inis Mór island 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 Biking

Returning to the mainland at Doolin village, our first stop is the famous Cliffs of Moher, following a narrow hiking trail along the clifftops to gaze out across the Atlantic and the Aran Islands. Back on our bikes, we set out on a beautiful coastal route. On the edge of the Burren region, the road zips through beautiful craggy terrain, sloping into the wild 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: 18 km/11 miles

Day 6 – Biking The Burren National Park

The lesser-known Burren National Park is the jewel in the crown of West Ireland. The otherworldly exposed limestone landscape contains a fascinating mix of wildflowers, wildlife, geology and ancient tombs. We’ll bike some short climbs and rolling terrain full of history and folklore as we pass sights such as Poulnabrone Dolmen, an enormous megalithic monument and tomb. We save the best for last: descending aptly-named Corkscrew Hill back to Ballyvaughan. This twisting descent provides panoramic views across the Burren and Galway Bay – a perfect end to this biking trip. The perfect way to end the trip? A whiskey tasting in a cosy local pub of course! Meet a connoisseur to learn all about Irish whiskey. Then off to a celebratory dinner to end the trip in style! (B, L, D)

Distance: 50 km/31 miles

Day 7 – Depart

After breakfast, we say goodbye to Connemara 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)