Ireland Connemara At Its Best Bike Tour 2018 Individual Self-Guided 8 Day/7 Nights Connemara which can roughly be defined as the area north west of Galway from Barna, Oughterard to Clifden and as far north as Killary Harbour is one of the most scenic regions of Ireland. It is in many ways a very unique landscape with dramatic mountain peaks being dominated by the Twelve Ben Mountain range, expansive sandy beaches, rivers rich in salmon and sea trout, and plenty of bogs with lakes strewn throughout. This leads to a dramatic contrast of sea, sky, land and bog, and you will be surprised at the changes in the landscape even after a relative short cycle. Connemara s rich tapestry of history, culture and heritage is woven into the very fabric of the landscape and you can for example hear the Irish language still be spoken, not to mention the traditional Irish music and dancing (sean nos style) that is thriving in Connemara. All of this you will be able to experience during your Ireland cycling tour.
Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Arrival Arrive in the quaint village of Cong, location for the film The Quiet Man with Maureen O Hara and John Wayne. Visit Cong Abbey founded in the 12th century as well as the Monk s House. Ashford Castle Hotel on the shores of Lough Corrib invites you to enjoy cream tea in its magnificent setting. Depending on your arrival time we will meet you in the evening or the next morning for a personal introduction to your bicycles and the week ahead. Day 2: Cong Leenane 36 km + 419 m can be extended) A beautiful and gentle day in the valleys of Connemara and Mayo on very quiet roads, as you cycle along the lakes of Lough Mask, Lough Nafooey and Lough Corrib. Finish the day with a great downhill to the beautiful village of Leenane located on Ireland s only fjord, Killary Harbour. Leenane was the location for the film The Field with Richard Harris. Day 3: Leenane Clifden 61 km + 477m shorter option available 34 km + 344 m Leave Leenane to continue your cycle along the Atlantic seaboard around the Renvyle Peninsula, passing Kylemore Abbey and then into the beautiful Lough Inagh Valley and across a beautiful section of bog road to Clifden (often labelled the metropole of Connemara). Here you will stay for two nights. You may enjoy traditional Irish music in its pubs. Day 4: Clifden REST DAY or loop rides 17 km + 200 m, 51k m + 400 m Enjoy a day out of the saddle perhaps go horseback riding or deep sea fishing, or head for Inishboffin Island. But if you do want to go cycling there is a wonderful a ride out along the Sky Road to enjoy some sublime coastal scenery. Along the way walk to the ruin of Clifden Castle. For the more enthusiastic rider you then continue along more coastal scenery to Claddaghduff and Aughrusbeg. Pinterest.com
Day 5: Clifden Cashel 36 km + 274 m can be shortened to 21 km + 134 m Continue your cycle along the coast via Roundstone where you can see traditional musical instruments being made by hand. On the way you come past the village of Ballyconneely and the site where Alcock and Brown crash landed their biplane after completing the first transatlantic flight in 1919. Cycling along the indented coastline you arrive in the small village of Cashel for the night. There are some very beautiful beaches along this route and here. Day 6: Cashel to Rossaveal for ferry to the Aran island of Inishmore 38 km + 244 m The cycle will bring you over a most beautiful bog road to the indented south Connemara shoreline, you continue to cycle to the pier in Rossaveal to take the ferry to the island of Inishmore (the biggest of the three Aran Islands). The island is very rich in historic and prehistoric sites and highlights include the cliff top fort of Dun Anghus, the semi-circular fort (there are three semicircular walls) is over 3,000 years old and holds a special place in Irish mythology. Less known is the Black Fort (Dun Duchathair) where you can experience some of the most beautiful cliffs on the island. Furthermore there are early Christian (starting with the 6th century) churches, monasteries and cemeteries. The island is famous for the knitwear that bears the Aran name. Spend the night on the island to get a feel for island life. Day 7: Inishmore return to the mainland and transfer to Galway You can choose to spend most of the day touring the unique landscape of the island or if you prefer you can spend some time in the afternoon to explore bustling, historic Galway city, where you will spend your final night. Day 8: Departure Breakfast, followed by farewell and departure for your onward journey.
Route Technical Characteristics: Difficulty Rating: Easy to moderate. Gentle, some occasional climbs, options available on most days Distance: 188 km Travel Season: Departures daily from April 1 October 31, 2018
Price per Person: Off Peak Season Double Occupancy 840.00 Peak Season (July and August) Double Occupancy 885.00 Single Occupancy Supplement 180.00 Solo Traveler Surcharge 360.00 E-bike Rental Surcharge 100.00 Tandem Rental On request Road Bike Rental Surcharge 50.00 Extra Nights Cong/Inishmore Double Occupancy 50.00 Extra Nights Cong/Inishmore Single Occupancy Accommodation: On request This self-guided Ireland bicycle tour is designed to stay in comfortable, friendly, wonderful guesthouses and small hotels. Accommodations could be upgraded if you prefer. Included: 7 nights in guesthouses, B&B s and hotels 7 breakfasts Luggage transfers Ferry to Inishmore Transfer Rossaveal to Galway Hybrid bike rental Detailed daily route notes, maps and route notes GPS files Personal meet and greet Emergency support Not Included: Travel to and from start/finish of tour Meals other than breakfast
Hybrid Bikes Bikes Road Bikes Tandem E-Bike Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848