Best Bike Rides in Ireland

Distance	Ascent	Approx.Time
138 km	5,300 m	1 – 6 days

Want a challenge? The Beara Way encompasses the entire Beara Peninsula and is a strong competitor for best bike rides in Ireland. At 138 kms long, it’s tough, but the scenery makes it worth it. Starting in Kenmare, the route offers spectacular views across Bantry Bay, the Kenmare River and the ultimate scenic mountain route, Healy Pass. Take in the beautiful villages of Glengarriff and Eyeries as you have your picnic lunch. Don’t miss the highest waterfall in Ireland, The Mare’s Tail, on the famous Hungry Hill!

The Beara Way follows country roads so traffic isn’t a big concern. Spread it out over as many days as you like, or do sections – it’s already divided into easy to follow sections. Catch a ferry from Castletownbere to Bere Island for an extra 19km circular route to squeeze every drop of adventure from your trip! If you don’t want to do it alone, sign up for the annual Ring of Beara Cycle.

Distance	Ascent	Approx.Time
70 km	973 m	1 – 2 days

When in Co. Down, the moss-covered Mourne Mountains epitomise the image of Ireland that many novels have captured. CS Lewis used the region as inspiration for his classic Narnia novel, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – read more about Narnia in Northern Ireland here. The trails are plentiful, beckoning both the amateur and the pro.

A notable local route is the 70-km Mourne Mountains Cycle Loop, showcasing the phenomenal views over the Cooley Peninsula and Carlingford Lough. There’s a decent climb past Spelga Dam followed by an even better descent.

The Connemara Loop Cycling Route is a 150km scenic cycling trail. Discover quaint villages, quiet beaches and wilds of Connemara along the way. It will take you 1 to 3 days depending on how ambitious you are.

Find detours along the route to increase or decrease the level of difficulty. Starting at Clifden, be sure to visit Kylemore Abbey. Check out Killary Harbour and Fjord, and if time is on your side, get a ferry to Inishbofin and Omey Island.

Distance	Ascent	Approx.Time
935 km	555 m	6 days

Finally, the ultimate bucket list challenge and one of the ultimate bike rides in Ireland – Mizen to Malin (MizMal). The length of Ireland from top to bottom, this Ireland’s equivalent to Britain’s Land’s End to John O’Groats. There are many ways to do it: go straight up or go the scenic route. Feel free to map your own route but the shortest option is about 555km. The record is 19 hours set in 1993 by Alex Barry… feel free to try and beat that!