7 Days & 6 Nights

4.8

Cycle the Best of the Wild Atlantic Way

Cycle the Atlantic coastline of Galway, Connemara & Mayo
Take a day trip to the rugged island of Inishbofin
Enjoy traditional Irish music and a pint of Guinness Galway's pubs
Sample freshly steamed Killary Harbour mussels
Ride to the shores of Lough Corrib and the timeless village of Cong

Discover the rugged landscapes, Wild Atlantic Way coastline and traditional Irish pubs on this cycling tour of Galway, Connemara and Mayo. After arriving into the lively city of Galway, a private transfer will take you to the Connemara coastal town of Clifden. Here ferry hop to the rugged island of Inishbofin and ride between deserted bays and emerald green pastures. Ride north, to the town of Leenane and dine on freshly steamed mussels from Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord. Cross into County Mayo and pedal across wild moorland towards the pilgrim’s mountain of Croagh Patrick, overlooking the Georgian town of Westport. A final roll south leads to the shores of Lough Corrib and the timeless village of Cong. Returning to Galway by way of private transfer, there is plenty of time to discover the lively bars and watch traditional Irish music being played out over a pint of the black stuff!

From £960.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Galway, private transfer to Clifden

Welcome to the bright and colourful streets of Galway (Gaillimh) a city with a long history and vibrant atmosphere. Its fortified walls were built around 1270 and the ideal location on the coast facilitated huge in wine, fish, and salt with Spain and Portugal. Take a wander along its long promenade towards Galway Bay and explore its creative art scene, lively pubs, and homely cafes.

Why not treat yourself to traditional Irish Coffee before making your way to Clifden? We have organised a private transfer (duration: 1h30m). The lastest transfer time we can provide is 4pm. Clifden is the 'capital' of Connemara, a Victorian-era town with a narrow bay offering dramatic views over the rolling hills.

Overnight Clifden

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Sea Mist House | Bed and breakfast

Enjoy the comfort and charm of staying in this historical Georgian country house. The rooms demonstrate elegance and cosy warmth, plus all the benefits of modern conveniences, like the en-suite bathrooms. Situated in Clifden the breakfasts are all made from fresh garden produce and include homemade pancakes, full Irish breakfast, Connemara smoked salmon, and farm-fresh eggs from our their own chickens.

Clifden Station House | Hotel

The Clifden Station House Hotel is a most welcoming hotel and has 78 lovely and spacious bedrooms, complimentary high speed Wi-Fi and a bar and restaurant in which to relax. It also offers all the modern facilities you will need including an award winning Spa and Leisure Centre.

Day 2 Cycle to Cleggan, Inishbofin loop ride, return to Clifden 22 miles / 35.5 km

Enjoy an energising breakfast before setting off on a gentle ride to the small fishing village of Cleggan, the gateway to the island of Inishbofin. Catch the ferry (duration: 30m) then follow a circular route exploring this tranquil place. Cycle between pristine beaches, crystal clear waters, and narrow lanes beside green pastures with grazing cows.

A sanctuary for seals and other wildlife, Inishbofin has also become a breeding ground for birdlife which include the Corncrake, Arctic Tern, Shags, and Guillemots to name a few. Before hopping on the ferry and riding back to Clifden, enjoy a visit to the Heritage Museum or meet the locals in one of the welcoming pubs.

Ascent/Descent: +231m/-246m

Overnight Clifden

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Sea Mist House | Bed and breakfast

Clifden Station House | Hotel

Day 3 Cycle to Leenane 33.5 miles / 54 km

Leave Clifden via the Wild Atlantic Way as you head along the coast towards Claddaghduff with wonderful views out to Omey Island. Cycle alongside white sandy bays before heading inland and passing the shores of Lough Ballynakil. You may want to have a small detour (10km) for an optional visit to Kylemore Abbey, a monastery founded in 1920 for Benedictine nuns who fled Belgium in World War I.

One of the highlights today is reaching Ireland's only true fjord, Killary Harbour. Surrounded by the mountains of Connemara, the head of the fjord marks the border between Galway and Mayo.

Spend the evening in Leenane, where you can sample fresh Killary mussels in one of the characterful bars and restaurants.

Ascent/Descent: +331m/-313m

Overnight Leenane

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Leenane Hotel | Hotel

This Hotel has 66 en suite guest bedrooms with the majority of them providing views of Killary Harbour and some of them with a view of mountains. Each room is uniquely styled in keeping with the hotel’s character.

Day 4 Cycle to Westport 29 miles / 46.5 km

Departing Leenane, continue riding around the head of the fjord towards the small settlement of Delphi. Ride in the shadow of the impressive Mweelrea Mountains and breathe in the fresh air of this remote part of the world. Soon you’ll arrive in the Doolough Valley, characterised by the dark waters of Doo Lough and its steep surrounding hills, a place that has largely remained untouched. Here you will turn east and ride through the wild landscape of Glenamurra.

From afar you will be able to view the distinct peak of Croagh Patrick, the holy mountain, where St. Patrick is said to have completed 40 days and nights of fasting. Make your way to the Georgian town of Westport on the banks of the Carrowbeg River. Settle into your accommodation on arrival and celebrate with a pint of the black stuff in one of the many harbour bars.

Ascent/Descent: +296m/-262m

Overnight Westport

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Rosmo House | Bed and breakfast

Liam is your hosts here, this hotel in picturesque country gardens on the outskirts of Westport, this laid-back B&B is a 4-minute walk from the harbour front. All have en suite bathrooms with showers. There's a quaint dining room for full Irish, vegetarian or continental breakfast.

The Wyatt Hotel | 3 Star

Day 5 Cycle to Cong 35 miles / 56.5 km

Leaving behind the lively streets of Westport you spend today crisscrossing over farmland and rolling hills on your way to the traditional Irish village of Cong. Make sure to pause and take in the views of the Mayo mountains in the distance, and pass the small abbey of 'Burriscarra' before reaching the shores of Lough Carra. Pedal onwards to the timeless village of Cong on the shores of Lough Corrib.

Settle into your accommodation and if you have the time, you may wish to take a boat trip on the lough or visit the 7th-century Cong Abbey where Rory O’Connor, the last High King of Ireland, is reputed to have died. Enjoy the selection of restaurants and bars in the heart of the village where ingredients are sourced locally and the menu changes with the season.

Ascent/Descent: +408m/-414m

Overnight Cong

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Ryan’s River Lodge | Bed and breakfast

A family run B&B overlooking the Cong River. This B&B specialises in welcoming cycling enthusiasts. The River Lodge is only a few minutes from the bars, restaurants and charms of Cong village. In the evening wind down in a local pub with a Guinness and some local craic!

Ryan's Hotel | Hotel

Ryan's hotel is located at the heart of the village of Cong. Their twelve en suite bedrooms have been recently refurbished to the highest standards. All rooms are equipped with tea/coffee making facilities, television, Free wireless internet access, and hairdryers

Day 6 Transfer to Galway

Have a long lie and enjoy breakfast in the beautiful surroundings of the Ashford Estate. Today the choice is yours; explore the village and woodlands of Cong further before taking your private transfer to Galway or an earlier transfer to make the most of this artistic city. Best explored on foot, many of the traditional pubs still retain their original Gothic features and are certainly the best place to get a feel for the city. Staying in central Galway this evening gives you easy access to all the sights.

Overnight Galway

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

The House Hotel | Hotel

The House Hotel is a 4* boutique hotel in the heart of the Latin Quarter in Galway. All rooms are uniquely designed in a contemporary style with bespoke furnishings.

Harbour Hotel | Hotel

A warm welcome awaits you at this modern, comfortable, family-owned hotel. With a fantastic waterfront location in the heart of Galway, we're just a 3-minute stroll from the hotel will take you to Eyre Square and the city center. With secure parking and easy to find from the city centre this is the ideal stopover in Galway.

Day 7 Onward Travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 8kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 8kg is equivalent to 12 pints of local beer at the bar. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

Reviews

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

For regular cyclists looking to discover the Atlantic coastline and raw beauty of Ireland’s loughs and mountains by bike, cycling along the country and coastal roads of Galway, Connemara and Mayo. Experience the world famous Irish hospitality, spending each night in the heart of villages and towns at family run B&B’s and guesthouses, always within easy reach of a traditional pub or two!

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

The minimum age for this tour is: 15 Years

Grade & Terrain

This cycling tour is graded moderate. The grade is determined on the basis of the entire trip. Individual days may vary in terms of difficulty, i.e. some rides may be slightly more difficult or easier than the overall grade and the daily routes follow a combination of small country lanes and coastal roads. Please view the itinerary for more details about the daily routes. You will be cycling along sections of the Wild Atlantic Way, which may feel a little busier near towns and villages as it is a popular route for all modes of transport. There are also some fairly narrow roads and parts where traffic may go a little faster. Between Leenane and Westport, the route passes through Glenamurra, which is remote in places with little to no phone signal depending on your network provider. Please be aware of this.

Experience & Fitness

This cycling tour is suitable for relatively fit and regular cyclists seeking an active holiday. You'll spend much of the day in the saddle experiencing a region and discovering its variety. Daily distance varies between 35.5km (22mi) to 67.5km (42mi), and daily total ascent/descent averages around 300m (985ft), with the exception of the ride to Cong from Westport (ascent/descent: +408/-414m or +1339/-1358ft).

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

5 nights in B&B's and 1 night in a 3* hotel
6 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers
Transfers from Galway to Clifden (day 1) and Cong to Galway (day 6)
Detailed trip info and mapped tracks, via the Macs App
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office

Excluded

Travel to / from Galway
Bike hire
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Ferry journeys
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights along the route
Bike hire
Airport transfers

When to go Travel & Transfers

Getting to the Start

For travel planning we recommend using Rome2Rio.

Travelling to Galway:
Galway does not have an airport but the town can be easily reached from Knock Airport ("Ireland West") and Shannon Airport. Both airports are approximately a 1-hour drive from Galway. If you would like a private transfer from either of these airports please let us know in advance and we can provide you with a quote.
There is a direct bus from Knock Airport to Galway (duration: 1h30m) and from Shannon Airport (duration: 2hrs).

From Dublin there are hourly train services to Galway (duration: 2h30m). Please check Irish Rail for timetables, prices, and tickets.

On arrival in Galway
After arriving in Galway on Day 1 of your trip, you will be transferred to your first hotel in Clifden (duration: 1h15m). Please inform us of your arrival times so we can arrange this. The latest departure time from Galway is 4pm, as you will be required have your bike fitting this day.

Baggage Transfer

Daily door-to-door luggage transfers are included in the price of your trip, allowing you to set off on each walk carrying a light backpack.

At Macs Adventure we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Ninety-nine percent of the time they will only transfer one bag per person, but the allowed weight ranges from anything between 15 and 20kg per bag, depending on the tour you are taking. We do not have control over the limits that these providers set. Therefore, it is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags (including shopping bags or boots) and if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees) which we must respect.

On this trip, we ask you to keep your luggage to a maximum weight of 15 kilograms per item. Although most airlines have a standard baggage allowance of 23kg, we kindly ask you to distribute any excess weight over a separate bag. Please note that 2 bags per person are allowed, meaning 4 bags per couple.

Info & FAQ

General Information

Please note that this is an unescorted, self-guided bike tour. The distances listed are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, cycle clothing and personal medications, etc.

Equipment

If you have chosen to rent a bike, you will visit the bike rental store when being transferred from Galway to Clifden on Day 1. After being collected in Galway, your transfer will stop at the bike rental store for your bike fitting (around 20-30mins). After your bike fitting, you will continue to Clifden and your bike will follow in a separate transfer. At the end of your trip simply leave the bike locked, with the accessories at the last hotel for collection.

Trek FX hybrid bikes are available to rent. Each bike comes with a rear pannier bag for your personal possessions (unless you have chosen a road bike), a basic repair kit, and a lock. Helmets are included, although your own is likely to be a better fit. Ebikes are also available to hire, as are Trek Road 1 series road bikes.

If you would prefer to bring your own bicycle please ensure it is thoroughly serviced and is an appropriate bike for this tour. If you do intend to bring your own bike, please do let us know at the time of booking as extra transfer arrangements may be required for any large bike cases/boxes.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Bike that you have suitable Travel Insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.