Bike Tour
The Five Countries Tour

Day 1 – York and the Yorkshire Dales

You will meet your guides at York Train Station in England and transfer to our start point at on the edge of the desolate but beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Over a pub lunch, your guides will brief you for the day ahead. Our opening ride follows a lovely route around the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the quaint village of Leyburn. We then ride through the valley of Wensleydale before crossing into the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Our destination for the evening is near the village of Reeth where we stay in a local inn and enjoy a welcome dinner. (L, D)

Distance: 38km / 23 miles Elevation Gain: 585m / 1,920 ft

Day 2 – Yorkshire and the Tour de France

In 2014, Yorkshire was the proud host of the Grand Départ for the Tour de France. Today’s route follows much of the 2014 race’s Stage 1 and provides the opportunity to test yourself on the amusing Anglo-French climbs of the Côte de Buttertubs (532m) and Côte de Cray (416m). We’ll ride through some of England’s most iconic and picturesque scenery, typical of the Yorkshire Dales. Today is one of the most challenging of the trip but the rewards are ample. By the time we reach the village of Malham, you will have ridden one of the best day rides in the UK. (B, L, D)

Distance: 82km/ 51 miles Elevation Gain: 1,319m/ 4,326 ft

Day 3 – Yorkshire Dales to the Forest of Bowland

Enjoy a relaxing start today after yesterday’s expedition. Leaving the Yorkshire Dales National Park, behind we cross into Lancashire and the Forest of Bowland. This happens to be the geographic centre of Great Britain, which seems a fitting place to pedal through on our 5 countries tour. We ride through to the village of Waddington where we take a late lunch. Then we transfer south to Oswestry near the English/Welsh border. (B, L, D)

Distance: 45km/ 28 miles Elevation Gain: 425m/ 1,394 ft

Day 4 – Across the English/Welsh border

From Oswestry, our bike tour heads west into Wales. Central and north Wales are fairly mountainous which makes for great and, at times, challenging From Oswestry, our bike tour heads west into Wales. Central and north Wales are fairly mountainous which makes for great and, at times, challenging cycling. Immediately you will notice a different culture to England. Welsh is often the first language and the national identity is strong. Passing through the rolling valleys of the east, the Milltir Cerrig mountain pass presents a barrier to entering Snowdonia National Park. However, the climb of 300m/900ft is at a steady gradient and the increasingly impressive views provide motivation. The descent over 8km/5miles is a blast and leads us to lunch on the beautiful azure shores of Bala Lake. The second half of the day journeys through the wild Welsh scenery on roads ideal for bike riding. Climbing higher into Snowdonia National Park, our destination for the evening awaits at the end of another amazing descent into Ffestiniog. (B, L, D)

Distance: 81km/ 50 miles Elevation Gain: 1,202m/ 3,942 ft

Day 5 – Snowdonia, Anglesey and Dublin

Our second day in Wales begins in the mountains of Snowdonia. In the morning we will pass through many mountain villages steeped in Welsh mythology and legend. Continuing west and our destination is in Caernarfon – home to one of the most impressive castles you will find anywhere and a World Heritage Site which overlooks the Menai Straits. After a late lunch and time to explore the town, we will cross by boat to reach the Isle of Anglesey. From here it’s a short distance to Holyhead where our journey across the Irish Sea begins. It’s just over 2 hours by fast boat to Dublin where we’ll be ashore in time for dinner in the city. (B, L, D)

Distance: 54km/ 34 miles Elevation Gain: 707m/ 2,318 ft

Day 6 – Rest day or Optional Ride in Dublin & Wicklow

With five days of riding under our belt, it’s time for a well-earned break – and the cosmopolitan capital of Dublin is the perfect place to do so. Wander the historic streets, sample the city’s cafes and bars or perhaps go for a massage to recharge for the second half of the tour. Dublin is a fantastic place to hang out and explore. If your legs are feeling strong, there’s the option of a cycle out of the city, along the coast and into the Wicklow Mountains where the best views of the city can be taken. Tonight we enjoy a relaxed dinner in Dublin and perhaps a few pints of Guinness at the world-famous Temple Bar. (B)

Distance: 58km/ 36 miles Elevation Gain: 755m/ 2,476 ft

Day 7 – Dublin to County Donegal

In the morning, we travel by road out west to the wild open spaces of North Donegal. Geographically and politically cut-off from much of Ireland due to the border with Northern Ireland, Donegal has retained its own cultural identity and unique accent. We’ll arrive in time for lunch near Glenveagh National Park before riding north through Donegal’s wild and rugged landscapes to the coast. The route takes us along an elevated road overlooking Lough Swilly, one of Ireland’s three fjords. From here it’s a short distance to our accommodation either in Rathmullan or Inishowen. (B, L, D)

Distance: 48km/ 29 miles Elevation Gain: 574m/ 1,882 ft

Day 8 – Fanad Head and Lough Swilly

Continuing north, we’ll bike along an elevated road that overlooks the azure shores of Lough Swilly, a huge glacial fjord between two peninsulas. Our route takes us to the Fanad Head Lighthouse, situated on the wild coast of the Fanad Peninsula in North Donegal. From here, we ride south towards one of the most picturesque climbs of the trip. Passing through a landscape dotted with castles, we’ll explore the rocky coastal terrain in this little-travelled region of Donegal at the edge of the world. (B, L, D)

Distance: 87km/ 54 miles Elevation Gain: 1,152m/ 3,780 ft

Day 9 – Inishowen Peninsula and Northern Ireland

Starting in Northern Ireland, we follow the Causeway Coast, considered by many to be Northern Ireland’s finest stretch of coastline. Some also consider it to be the “toughest cycling road in Ireland”! The riding is as dramatic as it is challenging following the Torr Scenic route through wild landscapes and deserted villages. A short transfer by road to the ferry port of Larne and a two-hour crossing takes us to Scotland for the second half of our day’s ride. Flat roads mean quick progress through the rural farmland of Dumfries. (B, L, D)

Distance: 74km/ 46 miles Elevation Gain: 1,402m/ 4,598 ft

Day 10 – The Antrim Coast then Sail to Scotland

Starting in Northern Ireland, we follow the Causeway Coast, considered by many to be Northern Ireland’s finest stretch of coastline. Some also consider it to be the “toughest cycling road in Ireland”! The riding is as dramatic as it is challenging following the Torr Scenic route through wild landscapes and deserted villages. A short transfer by road to the ferry port of Larne and a two-hour crossing takes us to Scotland for the second half of our day’s ride. Flat roads mean quick progress through the rural farmland of Dumfries. (B, L, D)

Distance: 74 km/ 46 miles Elevation Gain: 978m/ 3,207 ft

Day 11 – The Galloway Hills

Dumfries and Galloway is a cycling revelation with quiet roads through beautiful scenery. Our route takes in some of the region’s best roads as we head through Galloway Forest Park in the shadow of the hills known as the “Range of the Awful Hand”. With no major climbs, we should make quick progress, reaching Castle Douglas for lunch. From here we head south following the shores of Loch Ken and then through rolling farmland. A late afternoon stop for coffee and cake at one of the best Farm Shops in Scotland provides the boost we need for the final 15km to our historic hotel in Mabie Forest near New Abbey. (B, L,D)

Distance: 98km / 61 miles Elevation: 928m / 3043 ft

Day 12 – New Abbey to Drumlanrig Castle

Our final day of cycling takes us from New Abbey to a magnificent finish at the 17th century Drumlanrig Castle. The Speddoch is the last major climb of the trip, winding through woodland and over wild moorland, while the descent gives superb views across the glens and hills to the north. We pass Keir Mill where the pedal bicycle was invented in 1839 – from here, it’s a short distance to the Drumlanrig Estate where quiet roads wind through scenic parkland. Our final kilometre is one of the best you’ll find – a perfect boulevard leading to the castle entrance. No doubt you’ll be feeling the effects of the past 11 days but we’ll have smiles all around! Enjoy celebratory drinks and cake at the castle before returning to New Abbey for our final night dinner together. (B, L, D)

Distance: 57km/ 35 miles Elevation Gain: 663m/ 2,174 ft

Day 13 – Transfer to Edinburgh then depart

After a relaxing breakfast, we’ll depart New Abbey in the morning for the two hour drive to Edinburgh. We will plan our arrival into Edinburgh no later than noon with the option to be dropped at Lockerbie for the West Coast railway line en route (for trains south inc London). On your journey home, you’ll have time to reflect on what will surely be one of the most memorable biking trips you’ve ever done. (B)