Highlands and Headlands of Donegal – 6 Night Self-Guided Bike Tour
Tour Overview
Ireland’s unique and varied landscapes are at the heart of what makes this self guided bike tour special. From the dramatic sea-views where the Wild Atlantic Way is at its wildest, to the heather covered mountains and boglands of the Donegal Highlands, and the rich farmland of east-Donegal this bike tour packs in just about as much variety as any Irish bike tour can. Add in a visit to Derry, Northern Ireland’s most vibrant city, along with the rich history, you have the perfect blend to create life-long memories.
With the convenience of a centre-based tour, avoiding the hassle of packing and unpacking, you can relax and enjoy each days unique adventure.
Duration
7 Days/6 Nights
Tour Price
From €1,450
Season
April – September
Terrain
Very hilly. E-bike Recommended
Difficulty
Difficulty With Ebike
Tour Highlights
Stunning peninsulas at Fanad and Rosgull – Dramatic coastal scenery with rugged cliffs and pristine beaches.
Glenveagh National Park, Castle and Gardens – Explore Ireland’s second largest national park with its stunning castle and Victorian walled garden.
Mount Errigal and Donegal Highlands – Cycle past Donegal’s highest peak and through breathtaking highland scenery.
Derry – Northern Ireland’s most beautiful city – Walk the historic city walls and explore the vibrant culture of this fascinating city.
The many varied landscapes and seascapes – From wild Atlantic coastline to tranquil mountain lakes and rich farmland.
Beautiful unspoiled sandy beaches – Including Portsalon Beach, once voted the second most beautiful in the world.
Tour Photos
Tour Itinerary
Arrive in the lively town of Letterkenny perfectly located between the peninsulas to the north, Glenveagh National Park, the Donegal Highlands and the rich farmland of “The Lagan” to the east. Letterkenny is easily accessible from Dublin and Belfast Airports. After checking in to your centrally located hotel spend the evening exploring this lively town with its good selection of bars and restaurants.
Depending on your arrival time we may arrange to meet you either on that evening or on the morning of your first cycle. We will set you up with your bikes, navigation aids and general information.
Transfer to Fanad Head with its stunning lighthouse, before following the quiet coastal roads back to Letterkenny. Stop at Portsalon Beach, once voted the second most beautiful in the world. After taking on the climb to the Ballymastocker Viewing Point you leave the coast for a while and pass along the foot of Knockalla Mountain. If you would like to add a short hike to your day, a visit to “The Way of the Cross” site, will reward you with more fantastic views. Pass through the pretty village of Ramelton nicknamed the “Holy City” because of its many churches. Continue cycling along the narrow country roads, that wind their way among the farms near Lough Swilly, taking you back to Letterkenny.
Begin your day of cycling in the Irish-Speaking area of Gweedore. Cycle past the beautiful and intriguingly named Poisoned Glen. After passing cone-shaped Mount Errigal cycle through Glenveagh National Park. The gravel roads along the lake are some of the most beautiful you will ever cycle. Make time to visit the castle with its beautiful gardens. Cycle over the hills along the “Lough Inshagh Way” to Gartan where you will find yet another beautiful lake and for art lovers the must-visit Glebe Gallery. A climb along a quiet country road from Gartan will be rewarded with a lovely downhill back to Letterkenny.
Transfer to historic Derry (Londonderry) just across the border in Northern Ireland. This is the only Irish city with its walls still fully intact. A walk around the walls will give you a great insight into this fascinating city’s story – so often a pivotal location in Northern Ireland’s history. Explore the murals for which the city is famous, depicting everything from scenes from “The Troubles”, to the hit comedy series “Derry Girls”. Leaving Derry cycle through the rich farmland of “The Lagan”. Stop at Beltany Stone Circle dating from the Bronze Age. Cycle through the village of Raphoe and over the hills back to Letterkenny.
With something between little and no traffic, combined with beautiful views there are few roads in Ireland that are quite as perfect for cycling as the road through the Glendowan Mountains and along the southern end of Glenveagh National Park. In the morning you will start your cycling at the tiny village of Doochary. From here climb steadily through a beautiful valley, passing remote Lough Barra, to reach the viewing point overlooking Lough Veagh. Savour the views over the lake and towards the castle, before enjoying the well-earned downhill cycle. Closer to Letterkenny you have the chance to visit Newmills Corn and Flax Mill, offering a unique insight into a bygone era in Irish life.
If you find yourself spoiled for choice, when it comes to beautiful sandy beaches, then that is really no surprise. Starting from the village of Downings cycle around the rugged and beautiful Rosguill Peninsula. If you can’t get enough of rugged beauty and hidden sandy beaches take a side trip to Melmore Head and the curiously named Murder Hole beach. Completing your cycle around the peninsula start the climb to the tranquil mountain lake – Lough Salt. As always the climb is rewarded with a lovely downhill to the village of Kilmacrennan. From here follow the recently opened cycle path to Letterkenny.
After breakfast it is time to leave.
Additional Information
2026 Dates
Tours available: April 2026 – September 2026
Peak season: 28 May 2026 – 24 August 2026
Prices
Price per person sharing: €1,450
Peak Season Supplement: €90
Single occupancy: €280
Solo Traveller Supplement: €320
Unisex E-bike: €200
Self-Guided bike tour price includes:
- 6 nights Bed and breakfast accommodation in 3 or 4 star hotel in Letterkenny.
- Bicycle (e-bike available with supplement)
- Welcome meeting and bike set up on arrival evening (or first morning after arrival) in Letterkenny.
- Daily transfers to cycle start points
- 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 Letterkenny
- Meals other than breakfast
- Entertainment
- Entry to sites and attractions not included as part of the tour
For this single centre tour you will be based in Letterkenny. Accommodation is in centrally located 3 or 4 star 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.
Highlands and Headlands of Donegal — 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 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: Confirmation
After receiving your deposit we will contact you to confirm your booking. We will send you an invoice for the balance along with other details.
3: Pay Balance
Full payment is required at least 4 weeks before your arrival date. Once we have received full payment we will email you your bike tour accommodation list, along with your bike tour guide notes and any other essential information. If you would like the GPX tracks we will send them to you at this stage.
4: 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. Time to start exploring!
Please see our Booking Terms and Conditions.
This bike tour is based in Letterkenny. It is easily accessible from Dublin Airport, via regular direct buses.
If you are flying Trans-Atlantic, it is worth noting that most flights are overnight, arriving in Ireland in the early morning. Therefore, you may want to consider a “recovery day” before starting to cycle.
Use the links below to check the bus timetables:
From Dublin Airport and Dublin City
Direct buses (route 32/X32) run to Letterkenny from Dublin Airport and City. For timetables and ticket information see https://www.expressway.ie/ Look for route 32/X32
See also John McGinley Coach Travel
From Belfast Airports and City
The most convenient way to reach Letterkenny from either of Belfast’s airports of from Belfast City is by bus to Derry (Londonderry) and then change for Letterkenny.
Buses run from both Belfast Airports and Belfast City to Derry. Aircoach Timetables.
Belfast City to Derry Bus Station Timetables. Look for route 212
Derry to Letterkenny see https://www.expressway.ie/ Look for route 64.
If you are arriving in Ireland at a different location and would like advice on how to get to Letterkenny, please let us know and we will help you to plan your journey.
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 Highlands and Headlands of Donegal 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 who is comfortable being on a bike for 4 -5 hours on a typical day. The distance you cycle each day is approximately 50 – 60 km. It is important to note that the routes are VERY hilly. Experienced cyclists will have no difficulty with the distances. If this tour appeals to you but you are worried about the hills, we recommend using an e-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 most of this tour you are on roads that are also open to traffic. There are some dedicated cycle paths. There is also a section on gravel through Glenveagh National Park. Most roads you follow have very little traffic. There are some short stretches on roads with moderate traffic. However even here traffic is limited and 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) Most hills are not long however the gradient varies constantly from gentle to very steep. On an average day where you would typically cycle 60 km (37 miles) you can expect an elevation gain of approximately 600 metres (2,000 ft). Using an electric bike will make the hills seem non-existent.
How do I get to the start?
For this bike tour you are based in Letterkenny. It has regular direct bus connections to Dublin Airport where most people arrive into Ireland. There are also direct connections to Ireland West (Knock) Airport. Belfast Airport has bus connections with one change. To see links to websites with more information and timetables see the Getting Here section above. If you are flying Trans-Atlantic it is worth noting that most flights are overnight – arriving in Ireland in the early morning so you may want to consider a “recovery day” before starting to cycle.
Why is there a solo traveller supplement on this tour and not other Ireland by Bike tours?
We try to keep the tour price as affordable for everyone as possible. On this particular tour we arrange a transfer to the start of the cycle each day. It will costs as much to do this for one traveller as for two or three, therefore we need to charge a solo traveller supplement. If it happens that a solo traveller books a date when others area also travelling then we will waive the supplement.
