Best Of Connemara

Arrive to your first night's accommodation in Clifden. Clifden town, the “Capital of Connemara”, offers a wonderful combination of the quaint, traditional and cosmopolitan. It is buzzing with great restaurants, colourful Irish pubs, music and song with warm, friendly people and a gentle pace of life. All bikes and equipment will be waiting for your at your accommodation, giving you the chance to try it and make sure everything fits you before your cycling adventure begins the next day!

Today you will have a chance to explore this rugged and beautiful corner of the west of Ireland. Take the opportunity to discover the south of Connemara and the Roundstone peninsula where ancient bogland meets vast golden beaches and where every stretch of land abounds with history. This day will also allow you the time to become familiar with your equipment and settle into the rhythm of the week ahead.

Distances : 35Km, 50km (22 or 31 mi).

Elevation : 293 or 398 m.

Your morning cycle will bring you along the Sky Road. You will then follow the Bog Road across areas of valuable native peatland against the backdrop of soaring mountains to reach the village of Cleggan and the ferry for Inishbofin island. Forty minutes by ferry, Inishbofin is a world apart from the mainland in every way. The island is peppered with ancient sites, including the ruins of Cromwell's promontory fort and gaol, set high above the crashing waves at the entrance to the island's harbour. Its population, of only 200 people, will warmly welcome you during your stay and will allow you a brief but fascinating insight into their traditional island life.

Depending on the availabilities of accommodation, you will either spend the night on Inishbofin, or you will come back with the 5pm ferry ad stay in Cleggan for the night.

Distances : 35km (22mi).

Elevation : 264m.

After an early breakfast on the island you will catch the ferry back to the mainland from where you will continue your Connemara cycle around this western coastline. Your destination today is the Renvyle Peninsula, a rugged promontory which juts into the Atlantic Ocean and is home to a vibrant, farming and fishing community. Travelling quiet roads, you will pass through Letterfrack, where the unique landscape of Connemara has been preserved by a National Park. The park includes very accessible trail walks and an excellent visitor centre. Continue further on to beautiful Kylemore Abbey to combine the cycle with a bit of Connemara’s history.

Reaching the Renvyle Peninsula you will find an area dotted with lakes, golden beaches and stony hills

Distance : 20km (12mi)

Leaving Renvyle you will pass through the village of Tullycross with its traditional thatched cottages and emerge onto the impressive coastline. Take your time and pause to absorb the ocean views and soak up the scent of the sea. Turning inland you will cycle through the mountains to bring you to the small village of Leenane, situated at the head of Ireland’s only fjord. You could choose to take a sightseeing tour of Killary Fjord aboard the Connemara Lady catamaran. The 1.5 hour boat trip is often joined by leaping dolphins and includes commentary on the fascinating history and geography of the area. Tonight, you will spend the night in Leenane where you will have the choice of excellent local dining, traditional pubs and the chance to meet locals and visitors alike.

Distances : 25Km (16mi).

Elevation : 275m.

From Leenane you will follow the shores of KIllary Fjord and enter the spectacular Delphi and Doolough Valleys with mountains dropping down into dark lakes each side of you. If you are do want to continue you can head on towards the coast more to visit the wee town of Louisburgh on the shores of Clew Bay. Louisburgh is a rural market town which retains many eighteenth century features in style and scale. It is a town which supports a large, far-flung population and the gentle rhythms of life in this area can be felt as you stroll along its four main streets. It is surrounded by an area of immense natural beauty with mountains to the east and south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and north.

Distances : 50Km (22mi).

Elevation : 315m.

Today’s journey will take you right into the heart of Connemara. Follow small roads and discover the remoter areas that this beautiful landscape has to offer.

Your destination today will be Cong, a small town where once the film The Quiet Man with John Wayne was turned. Visit Ashford Castle and its parc or Cong Abbey.

Distance : 35Km (23 mi).

Today is departure day, you can take your time getting started in the morning, have breakfast and depart at your leisure.

Private transfer from Cong to Galway.