Walking Tours 5 Day Essential Connemara Cycling Tour - Combined
5 Day Essential Connemara Cycling Tour - Combined
Capture the essence of the Wild Atlantic Way on this 5-day cycling tour. Discover spectacular routes through Connemara’s dramatic valleys and wild coastlines. Sample its fascinating culture and history. Stop off at colourful towns and villages and meet the people who call this beautiful place home.
Tour Highlights
- Discover breathtaking views at every turn cycling on quiet roads and country lanes.
- Explore the fascinating heritage of Connemara and immerse yourself in its rich culture of traditional Irish music and storytelling.
- Stay in the picturesque towns & villages of Clifden, Westport & Leenane and enjoy their vibrant pubs & restaurants.
- Relax with true Connemara hospitality in charming, family-run hotels & guesthouses.
Why choose this tour
This shorter cycling tour along the Wild Atlantic Way still captures all the highlights of our wonderful home here in Connemara. Perfect if your time is limited, or if you want to add on a cycling adventure to your holiday in Ireland.
Itinerary
5 Day Essential Connemara Cycling Tour - Combined
5 Day Essential Connemara Cycling Tour
- Clifden - Renvyle - Leenane - Westport
- Stunning cycling routes to explore at your own pace.
- Average 40-45 km (25-28 miles) a day, with shorter and longer options available on most days.
- Starts in Clifden, Co. Galway and finishes in Westport in Co. Mayo
- Upgrades available.
Welcome to Connemara! Failte go Conamara! Your tour starts in Clifden town, the “Capital of Connemara”. Clifden is bursting with culture, quaint streets, colourful shops, cosy pubs and restaurants and you’re never far from traditional Irish music. Enjoy an evening in this friendly town where everyone knows each other but the warmth towards visitors is legendary.
Your bike and equipment will be waiting for you at your accommodation, giving you the chance to try everything out and make sure it’s perfect before your cycling adventure begins the next morning.
Distance:
45km (28 miles)
After a hearty Irish breakfast, your first day of cycling will bring you from Clifden along the Sky Road at the very edge of Connemara, with soaring views over the rocky Atlantic coastline.
You’ll pass through the village of Letterfrack, home of the Connemara National Park. Take a break from the bike and enjoy a walk on the looped trails with sweeping views out over the Atlantic to the islands beyond, or have a coffee and find out more about this ancient Irish landscape at the charming visitor centre.
Your route finishes today in the Renvyle Peninsula where you’ll stay tonight - an enchanting, rugged promontory jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, with archaeological sites, historical ruins and white-sand beaches all waiting to be explored.
Meals included: Breakfast
Distance:
26km (16 miles)
Your route today from the Renvyle peninsula passes through the pretty village of Tullycross with its traditional thatched cottages. You’ll experience the full majesty of the Twelve Bens mountain range as you pass beneath their brooding peaks.
Along the way, you’ll have the option to visit Kylemore Abbey and Gardens. We highly recommend a stop at this magical gothic-style castle with a long and fascinating history. Built in 1867, it boasts one of Ireland's finest Victorian walled gardens and is also a great place for lunch.
As you continue along your route, a breathtaking vista over Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord, will appear as you round the bend. Your destination is the tiny village of Leenane tucked beneath the Maamturk mountains at the head of the fjord, where you’ll stay tonight.
Despite its small size there is always a buzz of conversation and craic in the village’s two pubs and a choice of restaurants serving great food from locally-sourced ingredients. Take the opportunity to try a cold Guinness in one of the traditional village pubs of our home town!
Meals included: Breakfast
Distance:
55 km (34 miles
Today’s route brings you from Leenane along the shores of Killary Fjord to the stunning Delphi valley - once heavily populated, now sparse and empty. You’ll reach the Doolough Valley (valley of the dark, deep lake). At the northern end of the valley, right next to the road, there is a poignant memorial for the victims of Ireland’s Great Famine which greatly affected this area.
Your route then follows the winding road to Louisburgh. This quaint 18th century coastal town boasts some of the most panoramic views in Ireland, with mountains to the east and south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and north. Stop and learn about the life and times of the legendary Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley, at the visitor centre.
Follow the coast road once more, along the island strewn shores of Clew Bay with the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick providing a striking backdrop, stopping to visit fourteenth century Murrisk Abbey along the way. You’ll reach the heritage town of Westport where you’ll stay tonight. This vibrant market town is a captivating blend of traditional and modern and has been voted Ireland’s Best Place to Live. Spend the evening exploring the many restaurants and pubs, making sure to catch some live traditional Irish music on the last night of your tour.
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast it’s the end of your tour and time for your onward journey, bringing your unforgettable memories of Ireland with you. Slan go fóill! – we’ll see you again soon.
Meals included: Breakfast
Welcome to Connemara! Failte go Conamara! Your tour starts in Clifden town, the “Capital of Connemara”. Clifden is bursting with culture, quaint streets, colourful shops, cosy pubs and restaurants and you’re never far from traditional Irish music. Enjoy an evening in this friendly town where everyone knows each other but the warmth towards visitors is legendary.
Your bike and equipment will be waiting for you at your accommodation, giving you the chance to try everything out and make sure it’s perfect before your cycling adventure begins the next morning.
Distance:
45km (28 miles)
After a hearty Irish breakfast, your first day of cycling will bring you from Clifden along the Sky Road at the very edge of Connemara, with soaring views over the rocky Atlantic coastline.
You’ll pass through the village of Letterfrack, home of the Connemara National Park. Take a break from the bike and enjoy a walk on the looped trails with sweeping views out over the Atlantic to the islands beyond, or have a coffee and find out more about this ancient Irish landscape at the charming visitor centre.
Your route finishes today in the Renvyle Peninsula where you’ll stay tonight - an enchanting, rugged promontory jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, with archaeological sites, historical ruins and white-sand beaches all waiting to be explored.
Meals included: Breakfast
Distance:
26km (16 miles)
Your route today from the Renvyle peninsula passes through the pretty village of Tullycross with its traditional thatched cottages. You’ll experience the full majesty of the Twelve Bens mountain range as you pass beneath their brooding peaks.
Along the way, you’ll have the option to visit Kylemore Abbey and Gardens. We highly recommend a stop at this magical gothic-style castle with a long and fascinating history. Built in 1867, it boasts one of Ireland's finest Victorian walled gardens and is also a great place for lunch.
As you continue along your route, a breathtaking vista over Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord, will appear as you round the bend. Your destination is the tiny village of Leenane tucked beneath the Maamturk mountains at the head of the fjord, where you’ll stay tonight.
Despite its small size there is always a buzz of conversation and craic in the village’s two pubs and a choice of restaurants serving great food from locally-sourced ingredients. Take the opportunity to try a cold Guinness in one of the traditional village pubs of our home town!
Meals included: Breakfast
Distance:
55 km (34 miles
Today’s route brings you from Leenane along the shores of Killary Fjord to the stunning Delphi valley - once heavily populated, now sparse and empty. You’ll reach the Doolough Valley (valley of the dark, deep lake). At the northern end of the valley, right next to the road, there is a poignant memorial for the victims of Ireland’s Great Famine which greatly affected this area.
Your route then follows the winding road to Louisburgh. This quaint 18th century coastal town boasts some of the most panoramic views in Ireland, with mountains to the east and south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and north. Stop and learn about the life and times of the legendary Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley, at the visitor centre.
Follow the coast road once more, along the island strewn shores of Clew Bay with the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick providing a striking backdrop, stopping to visit fourteenth century Murrisk Abbey along the way. You’ll reach the heritage town of Westport where you’ll stay tonight. This vibrant market town is a captivating blend of traditional and modern and has been voted Ireland’s Best Place to Live. Spend the evening exploring the many restaurants and pubs, making sure to catch some live traditional Irish music on the last night of your tour.
Meals included: Breakfast
After breakfast it’s the end of your tour and time for your onward journey, bringing your unforgettable memories of Ireland with you. Slan go fóill! – we’ll see you again soon.
Meals included: Breakfast
Our favourite on this tour
The Connemara "Taj Mahal". This tiny gothic church hidden in the trees in the grounds of Kylemore Abbey was built by Mitchell Henry as a token of love for his wife Margaret who tragically died young. This poignant treasure in the grounds of this magnificent estate will touch your heart.
Our Reviews
See what our guests have to say about travelling in Ireland with Connemara Adventure Tours.
About your tour
Tour
Essentials
Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
Start day: Any Day. March to November.
Start/end location: This tour starts in Clifden, Co. Galway & finishes in Westport, Co. Mayo.
How to get here.
Difficulty level: Moderate
The terrain is gentle rolling countryside on low-traffic back-roads with some occasional hills. Longer & shorter route options are available most days. You’ll be cycling for 4-5 hours a day.
DIFFICULTY
What's
included
Accommodation: You’ll relax each night in a private en-suite room in comfortable 3* hotels, B&B & guesthouses.
Meals: Breakfast is included each morning.
Luggage transfers: Our local team will transfer your luggage to your next accommodation every day, leaving you free to explore at your ease.
What to bring on your tour
Roadmap for Discovery App: Your bespoke tour app with itinerary, routes and lots of local insider info ready to download before you arrive.
Find out more
- 4*+ hotels
- Personalised meet & greet & printed route notes
- Private transfer from Galway, Westport or Knock Airport at the start & end of your tour.
Bikes
& equipment
Bikes & Equipment: Everything you need for your cycling tour is provided – just turn up and go.
- Touring bike or E-Bike (€90 extra)
- Bike helmet
- Front handler bag with repair kit
- Lock
- Side pannier rental
Add-on
experiences
Add these amazing experiences on to your tour
- Visit the Cliffs of Moher by bus with 1 extra night in Galway City.
- Visit the Aran islands (Inis Mor) for 2 nights + 1 night in Galway City.
- Visit the Aran islands (Inis Mor) AND the Cliffs of Moher (2 nights in Galway & 2 nights on Inis Mor)
- Dublin City Experience - 1 night in Dublin + whiskey tasting tour.
- Private transfer to & from the tour start/end point.
Customer
service
Our dedicated local team will be on hand for advice and help throughout your stay.
- Add a personalised meet & greet + €125 per booking.
Customise your tour
Everything you could
wish for & more
Make this tour into your own truly Irish experience with
a Tailor-Made Tour. All our tours can be customised. You can add extras, lengthen or shorten your tour to suit your needs or schedule.
Visit a remote, ancient island, follow in St Patrick’s footsteps, taste the finest Irish whiskey. The options are endless!
Get in touch with our Ireland travel experts and we’ll build the trip of a lifetime just for you.
Customise your tour
