Iconic Donegal and Connemara – 8 Night Self-Guided Bike Tour
Tour Overview
Explore not one but two of the most exciting destinations on the Wild Atlantic Way! Begin your tour in County Donegal — among the best regions in the world to visit — according to “Lonely Planet”. You will cycle the spectacular coast from Historic Donegal Town all the way around to the Heritage Town of Ardara. Then we will transfer you to Westport, where the Connemara part of your adventure begins. Enjoy the wonderful valleys, coast and boglands of Ireland’s famous west coast.
Duration
9 Days/8 Nights
Tour Price
From €2,080
Season
March – September
Terrain
Very hilly. E-bike Recommended
Difficulty
Difficulty With Ebike
Tour Highlights
The spectacular Donegal and Connemara Coasts – Rugged cliffs and wild Atlantic waves shape a dramatic landscape that’s both breathtaking and unforgettable.
Sliabh Liag Cliffs – Experience breathtaking views and exhilarating hikes high above the Atlantic Ocean.
Spectacular Granny Valley – A dramatic glacial valley offering stunning scenery and an unforgettable descent.
Heritage Towns of Donegal, Ardara, Westport and Clifden – Charming towns rich in history, culture, and traditional Irish hospitality.
Doolough Valley – A hauntingly beautiful valley with serene lakes and dramatic mountain scenery.
Kylemore Abbey and Gardens – A stunning gothic castle set against the Twelve Bens mountains, with one of Ireland’s finest gardens.
Numerous sandy beaches in Donegal and Connemara – Pristine white sand beaches perfect for swimming or peaceful seaside walks.
Vibrant traditional music – Experience authentic Irish music in local pubs throughout your journey.
Donegal and Connemara’s Gaelic culture – Immerse yourself in the living Gaelic heritage of Ireland’s west coast.
Tour Photos
Tour Itinerary
Arrive at the first of your destinations in Donegal Town, easily reachable with direct bus connections from Dublin Airport, as well as connections from Ireland West (Knock) and Belfast airports. Depending on your arrival time, we may arrange to meet you on the evening of your arrival, or alternatively, on the following morning before you set off for your first cycle. Donegal is a very pleasant town to explore with its history as the former seat of the O’ Donnell Chieftains. It also boasts a good selection of restaurants and bars.
Leaving Donegal Town you wind your way through a network of back roads taking you west along Donegal Bay. Sometimes you cycle along the coast, sometimes cycling through farmland. You reach St. John’s Point, a narrow finger-like peninsula pointing towards the centre of Donegal Bay. A well worthwhile addition to your adventure is to continue to the lighthouse at the end of the peninsula. From here follow the coast to the lively fishing port of Killybegs.
One of the most memorable days of cycling you will ever experience. Follow the road that hugs the coast west of Killybegs. Visit breathtakingly beautiful Muckross Head, and continue through the villages of Kilcar and on to Carrick. Carrick sits at the foot of Sliabh Liag. A short distance from Carrick you reach the viewing point where the Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) Cliffs plunge into the Atlantic creating one of the greatest attractions on the Wild Atlantic Way. It is worth while spending some time here to enjoy the magnificent views. Enjoy the thrilling ride back to Carrick where you spend the evening.
Cycle over the remote boglands typical of the west of Ireland. An option is to visit the deserted fishing hamlet of Port. It’s rugged and remote beauty has the ultimate “get away from it all feel”. Cycle to Granny Valley where you can experience the thrill of a cycle down through this remote glacial valley. At the bottom you can find Maghera Beach with its pristine white sand — and a little further on — beautiful Assarancagh Waterfall. Follow Loughros Beag bay to your destination in the the heritage town of Ardara.
After breakfast, pick up is at your accommodation in Ardara at 10:30 for the transfer to Westport. Enjoy the chance to see the varied Irish landscapes. Stop for a break and coffee at Drumcliffe — the resting place of poet W.B. Yeats. The graveyard and beautiful church are located on the site of an old monastery where you will still find the remains of a round tower and a very impressive high cross. Continue to Westport, one of Ireland’s most beautiful towns, where the second leg of your Irish adventure begins.
Today’s cycle is a stunning one. Following the coast road, along the shores of Clew Bay, you will pass by Croagh Padraig, Ireland’s holy mountain, before arriving at Louisburgh. Cycle on through beautiful Doolough Valley. Soak in the stillness of this place as you follow the shore of its lake. Further along, you will pass through Delphi Valley and you will soon see Killary Fjord – Ireland’s only real glacial fjord. Soon you will arrive at your destination today – Leenane. Enjoy your first night in Connemara!
Today’s adventure begins at beautiful Killary Fjord. An option here is to take a boat tour and get to know more about its fascinating history. Continuing further, you will reach Kylemore Abbey (guided visit optional), a recommended stop on your way. This gothic-style castle was built in 1867 and boasts one of Ireland’s finest gardens. Leaving Kylemore, you will experience the full majesty of the Twelve Bens Mountain range as you pass beneath their brooding peaks. Head further on to lovely Renvyle peninsula – home to stunning white beaches and an authentic Connemara community!
On your last day of cycling, you will head from Renvyle towards Connemara’s Capital – Clifden. This stunning bike ride will take you along empty roads, lovely beaches and onto the famous Sky Road. Take your time here to admire the beautiful view over the Atlantic Ocean and discover an old castle on the way into the lively town of Clifden, where you spend your final night.
Today after breakfast we will say – Slán go fóill! – you can take the bus to Galway where you will have transport connections to all of Ireland and all airports.
Additional Information
2026 Dates
Tours available: 23 March 2026 – 24 September 2026
Peak season: 28 May 2026 – 24 August 2026
Prices
Price per person sharing: €2,080
Peak Season Supplement: €100
Single occupancy: €330
Solo Traveller Supplement: €380
Unisex E-bike: €240
Self-Guided bike tour price includes:
- 8 nights Bed and breakfast accommodation in B&B’s or small hotels.
- Bicycle (e-bike available with supplement)
- Welcome meeting and bike set up on arrival evening (or first morning after arrival) in Donegal.
- Hotel to hotel luggage transfers
- Private transfer – Ardara to Westport.
- Visit to W.B. Yeats grave and monastic site at Drumcliffe.
- Comprehensive guide booklet
- GPS unit with all routes pre-programmed (one per room)
- GPX tracks available pre tour. (If you would like to use your own GPS device or mobile app.)
- Emergency support
Not included in price:
- Travel to and from start/finish of tour (Donegal Town/Clifden)
- Meals other than breakfast
- Entertainment
- Entry to sites and attractions not included as part of the tour
For this self-guided bike tour we use a mixture of traditional family run bed and breakfasts and small hotels.
Your host will serve you a delicious breakfast in the morning that will set you up perfectly for the day ahead. All of the accommodations we work with cater for people with special dietary requirements. All rooms have their own bathroom.
Choose a single, double (one double bed), twin (two beds), or family (one double and one single bed) room. Rooms have their own private bathroom.
Iconic Donegal and Connemara — Booking the Tour
To book this self-guided bike tour with Ireland by Bike:
1: Make a Booking Request
Please use the booking request form. Once we receive your request we will reply to confirm availability. You will be asked to pay a deposit of €150 per person to secure your booking. 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
Full payment is required at least 4 weeks before your arrival date. Once we have received your payment we will email you your bike tour accommodation list, along with your bike tour guide notes and allo other essential information. If you would like the GPX tracks we will send them to you at this stage.
3: Enjoy Your Adventure
We will meet you either on the evening you arrive or on the morning of your first cycle and get you set up with your bike, notes, GPS etc. We will arrange this with you prior to your arrival. Time to start exploring!
Please see our Booking Terms and Conditions.
This bike tour starts in Donegal Town and finishes in Clifden. Donegal is easily accessible from Dublin Airport, via regular direct buses.
Use the links below to check the bus timetables:
Getting to Donegal Town From Dublin Airport and Dublin City
By Bus: Direct buses (route 30/X30) run to Donegal Town from Dublin Airport and City every 90 minutes. For timetables see https://www.expressway.ie/ Look for route 30/X30
Getting to Donegal Town From Ireland West (Knock) Airport
By Bus: Frequent buses (route 64) run to Donegal Town direct from the Airport. See https://www.expressway.ie/routes-and-timetables Look for route 64.
Getting to Donegal Town From Belfast Airport
By Bus: Airporter service to Derry City See https://airporter.co.uk/ then bus route 64 to Donegal. See https://www.expressway.ie/routes-and-timetables Look for route 64.
If you are arriving in Ireland at a different location and would like advice on how to get to Donegal Town, please let us know and we will help you to plan your journey.
Departure
This tour finishes in Clifden. A local bus service will bring you to Galway City where you can get connections to all of the major airports and to locations around Ireland. See https://www.buseireann.ie/ Look for route 419 or https://www.citylink.ie/timetables/923/
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.
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 Iconic Donegal and Connemara 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 vary from moderate to longer (typically 25 – 55 km). However, it is important to note that the routes are very hilly. For this reason we recommend using an 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 it 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. 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 Clifden. A local bus service will bring you to Galway City where you can get connections to all of the major airports and to locations around Ireland. See the Getting Here section for more details.
