Donegal Coastal Treasures – 7 Night Self-Guided Bike Tour
Tour Overview
Breathe in the fresh, salty Atlantic air as you journey along one of the world’s most beautiful stretches of coastline. Pedal past secluded bays, golden beaches, and dramatic clifs that rise above the Wild Atlantic. Step back through the centuries at ancient sites dating to the stone age. Along the way, experience the warmth of legendary Irish hospitality in charming towns and villages like Donegal, Killybegs and Ardara.
Duration
8 Days/7 Nights
Tour Price
From €1,290
Season
April – September
Terrain
Very hilly. E-bike Recommended
Difficulty
Difficulty With Ebike
Tour Highlights
The stunning Donegal Coast – Rugged cliffs and wild Atlantic waves shape a dramatic landscape that’s both breathtaking and unforgettable.
Donegal Castle – A beautifully restored 15th-century stronghold in Donegal Town, offering a glimpse into the region’s rich history.
Sliabh Liag Cliffs – Experience breathtaking views and exhilarating hikes high above the Atlantic Ocean.
Golden sandy beaches – Shimmering gems along Ireland’s pristine Atlantic coastline, perfect for swimming or peaceful seaside walks.
Archaeology of Glencolmcille – Discover ancient standing stones, early Christian sites, and remarkable archaeological monuments.
Tour Photos
Tour Itinerary
Your cycling holiday begins in historic Donegal Town, once the stronghold of the O’Donnell Chieftains who ruled much of northern Ireland. Their impressive castle still dominates the town centre. Donegal is easily accessible, with direct bus services from both Dublin and Ireland West airports. Spend your first evening relaxing in this welcoming town, renowned for its lively pubs and excellent restaurants.
After breakfast, we’ll meet you to provide everything you need for your bike tour and answer any questions. Your first day of cycling takes you around tranquil Lough Eske, nestled at the foot of the Bluestack Mountains. Back in Donegal, you can visit the 15th-century Donegal Castle or enjoy a scenic trip on the Donegal Bay Waterbus.
Today you cycle along the ever-changing coastline between Donegal and Killybegs, passing bays, beaches, headlands, cliffs and inlets. An option is to bike along St. John’s Point, where the Atlantic Ocean lies on both sides. Continue west to the bustling fishing village of Killybegs, where much of Ireland’s Atlantic catch is landed.
West of Killybegs you follow one of the most memorable coastlines you will ever see. A short side-trip takes you to beautiful Muckross Head. Cycle through Kilcar Village, a centre for traditional tweed production, then on to Carrick. A short bike trip from Carrick brings you to the stunning Sliabh Liag Cliffs – one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. You can also view the cliffs from below with a boat trip from Teelin Pier.
Today, your cycling holiday brings you through 5,000 years of Irish history. Stone Age court tombs, Bronze Age dolmens, early Christian standing stones, and Celtic ringforts are all watched over by a Napoleonic-era signal tower. The area around Glencolmcille (Gleann Cholm Cille) is one of the most beautiful places you will ever visit – a perfect landscape to explore by bike.
Cycle across wild boglands, climbing gradually until you emerge at the head of the dramatic Granny Valley. The descent by bike will be one to remember. At the bottom, you’ll discover pristine Maghera Beach, with its sea caves that can be explored at low tide. Nearby, the beautiful Assaranca Waterfall cascades down a wooded hillside. Continue your ride along Loughros Beag Bay to Ardara or Glenties.
Follow a looped cycle around Portnoo and Rossbeg, taking in the magnificent, ever-changing coastal views. Stop to admire the impressive Kilclooney Dolmen, dating from the early Bronze Age. Along the route, several beautiful sandy beaches offer the perfect opportunity for a refreshing Atlantic dip. Shorter cycling options are also available.
It’s time to say farewell. A local bus service or taxi can take you from your accommodation back to Donegal Town, where you’ll find onward connections to the main airports or other destinations across Ireland.
Additional Information
2026 Dates
Arrival Day: Monday
Tours available: Monday 13 April 2026 – Monday 21 September 2026
Peak Season: Monday 01 June 2026 – Monday 17 August 2026
Prices
Price per person sharing: €1,290.
Peak Season: €1,350.
Single occupancy: €280
27 Speed Bicycle (Ladies or Gents available): €100
Unisex E-bike: €230
E-tandem: €420
Included in the Tour Price
• Bed and breakfast accommodation in B&Bs or small hotels
• Welcome meeting and bike setup on first morning
• Daily luggage transfers from one B&B or hotel to the next
• Comprehensive guide booklet
• Maps and turn-by-turn directions
• GPS unit with all cycling routes pre-programmed (one per room)
• GPX tracks available prior to the our (If you prefer to use your own GPS device or mobile app)
• Emergency support
Not Included in the Tour Price
• Travel to and from start/finish of tour (Donegal Town)
• Meals other than breakfast
• Entertainment
• Entry to sites and attractions
Travelling by bicycle or on foot in Ireland offers a unique opportunity to meet locals, particularly at your overnight accommodation. We select traditional B&Bs and small hotels, as they provide a warmer, more personalised welcome for adventure travellers than larger hotels. All rooms are private and feature en-suite facilities.
1: Book Online
Click one of the “Book Now” buttons on this page. To confirm the booking, you will be asked to pay a deposit of €150 to secure your place. Please note that this deposit is non-returnable, so it is important that you have all your travel details correct before proceeding to book.
2: Pay Balance
Payment is required at least 4 weeks before arrival. You will receive an automatic reminder close to the date when payment is due. Once we have received full payment, we will email you your accommodation list, along with your bike tour guide notes and other essential information.
3: Enjoy Your Adventure
We will meet you on the morning of your first cycle and get you set up with your bike, notes, GPS etc. Time to let the adventure begin!
Please see our Booking Terms and Conditions.
Arriving in Donegal
This bike tour starts in Donegal Town. It is easily accessible from Dublin Airport, via regular direct buses. Use the links below to check the bus timetables.
From Dublin Airport and Dublin City
By Bus: Direct buses (route 30/X30) run to Donegal Town from Dublin Airport and City. For timetables see https://www.expressway.ie/ Look for route 30/X30
Parking
On-street parking is available in Donegal Town. A permit lasting up to 1 month is available at a cost of €20.
To acquire a permit visit https://donegal-permit.giantleap.net/#/parking/products/agreement Select “Donegal Town”. We recommend No. 4 Car Park.
Contact us for travel advice from other locations in Ireland.
Bring your own bicycle or choose the bicycle that best suits your needs.
Touring Bikes
Comfortable 27-Speed touring bike with Shimano gears and disc brakes. Step-through and crossbar frames available.
E-bikes
Comfortable e-bike with Bosch motor and battery, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes. Recommended for bike touring in Donegal’s hilly terrain.
E-Tandem
High-quality Gepida Thoris E-tandem with Bosch motor and batteries. Shimano hydraulic disc brakes and gears.
Accessories
All bikes are provided with the following accessories free of charge;
- Front handlebar bag (7 litre capacity)
- Waterproof rear pannier – Ortleib back city roller (20 litre capacity)
- Lock
- Repair kit, including spare inner tubes
- Helmet. Please feel free to bring your own helmet if preferred
- High visibility vest
Below you will find the answer to some of the most commonly asked questions about the Donegal Coastal Treasures Bike Tour. For other more general FAQ’s please visit our FAQ page.
Who is this tour suitable for?
This tour is suitable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. The distances you cycle each day are relatively short (typically 30 – 40 km with some extra options). However, it is important to note that the routes are very hilly. For this reason we recommend using and electric bike.
What cycling experience do I need?
It is important that you are a competent cyclist with adequate bicycle handling ability and a clear understanding of the rules of the road.
Will I be cycling along with others?
Possibly, but this is not guaranteed. At busy times of the year June/July/August is is quite likely (but again not guaranteed) that others will be following the same routes as you. In the quieter months when numbers are smaller it is quite possible that yours will be the only group on the road at that time.
Is this tour on cycle paths or public roads?
For the vast majority of this tour you are on roads that are also open to traffic. However as we focus on small back roads the traffic is almost non-existent in most places. There are some short stretches on roads with moderate traffic. However even here cycling is not difficult.
Are the routes hilly?
The routes on this bike tour are VERY hilly (this is partly why it is so beautiful.) The gradient varies constantly from gentle to very steep. On an average day of cycling 40 km you can expect an elevation gain of approximately 400 metres (1,300 ft). For this reason we recommend using an electric bike for this tour.
How do I get to the start?
This bike tour starts in Donegal Town. It has regular direct bus connections to Dublin Airport (the arrival point for most people into Ireland). There are also direct connections to Ireland West (Knock) Airport. Belfast Airport has bus connections with one change.
How do I get from the end of the tour?
The tour finishes in either the village of Glenties or the village of Ardara. There are a number of local bus connections to Donegal Town, where you will find connections to the major airports and other parts of Ireland. It is also possible to take a taxi. The journey will take approximately 30 minutes. We provide a list of contact numbers in our tour notes.
Why does this bike tour itinerary say Glenties or Ardara on days 6 and 7?
Depending on the time of year, and events taking place, festivals etc. accommodation may not be available at one or other of the locations. For this reason it may be necessary to choose one of these villages over the other. This makes very little difference to your bike tour. In many ways the two villages are quite similar. The loop cycle from the two villages covers the same area and the same stretch of beautiful coast.
Tour Options
Reserve Now
Tour Reviews
It was fabulous, and we have recommended to many.
I would recommend Ireland by Bike to ANYONE. If you are not an avid cyclist, get the electric bike. It does take some getting used to but it was a lifesaver on the hills for me. This route thru Donegal County was the perfect length and difficulty for us, and we did do every extra route that was provided. I would encourage everyone to do all the extra routes if you are able.
“If you like to ride a bike and want to see a beautiful country, take this tour. It was my favourite vacation that I have ever taken. I highly recommend it!”
“Just wanted to write to say that we had a fantastic vacation in Ireland. Thanks for the part that you and Ireland by Bike had in that. Your passion for cycling shows in the thought and care that you put into planning this cycle itinerary. I would recommend this trip to any of my friends. The route was fantastic, with so many fun, interesting, scenic, historic sites along the way. Maghera beach was fantastic – a gem to explore, the coast road from Killybegs to Carrick – seriously challenging, and very wet, but actually one of our favorite days – sitting on the rock wall high above the beach just before Kilcar. Glencomcille Village, Glengesh Pass – both great as well.”
“We are back in Evanston and sad to be gone from Ireland. We had the trip of a lifetime and most of it was due to our bike trip. It was such a wonderful way to experience the friendliness of the people of your country, the incredible beauty and ruggedness of the landscape and kept up our appetites for the brown bread and Guinness (not to mention the Irish breakfasts) which were staples of the trip. Thank you for all your help and enthusiasm. I hope we meet again somewhere – let me know if you are ever in the states and need a guiding or helping hand. I would love that.”
