There are few stretches of coastline in Ireland or the world who’s beauty can rival that of the area around the Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) cliffs in Donegal. Along with the spectacular cliffs there are beaches, bays, hidden valleys and Ireland’s unique bogs. A network of small almost traffic-free roads makes the area perfect to explore by bike. Along with the spectacular views you can experience history from the stone age to the present.
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For this single centre tour you will be based in the village of Carrick. Accommodation is in family owned B&B’s or small guest houses.
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The village of Carrick is easily accessible from Dublin Airport. Regular direct buses connect Dublin Airport and City with Donegal Town. From there local bus services connect to Carrick.
Use the links below to check the bus timetables.
From Dublin Airport and Dublin City
Direct buses (route 30/X30) run to Donegal Town from Dublin Airport and City. For timetables and ticket information see https://www.expressway.ie/ Look for route 30/X30
From Donegal Town to Carrick
Local services Donegal Town to Carrick.
See Locallink Route 293. Timetable.
also
Bus Eireann Route 490. Timetable.
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To book this self-guided cycling tour with Ireland by Bike:
1: Make a Booking Request
Please use the form opposite to check availability. Once we receive your request we will confirm availability and send you information about how to complete your booking. You will be asked to pay a deposit of €150 per person. 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 full payment we will email you your accommodation details, along with your bike tour guide notes and other essential information. We will also send you GPX tracks at this stage. These tracks can be used if you have your own GPS device or with a mobile app.
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. Time to start exploring!
Please see our Booking Terms and Conditions.
Day 1: Arrive Carrick: The small village of Carrick rests beneath Sliabh Liag (Slieve League). This pleasant village will be the base for your biking adventure. Ireland by Bike is based in the village of Carrick. If you arrive early in the day you can call in and pick up your bikes, instructions, etc. Alternatively you can visit us on the morning of your first cycle. Carrick is perfect for a short stroll or, if time allows, a cycle to get yourself familiar with your bicycle and the surrounding area.
Days 2 – 5: You are free to choose the order in which you complete each tour. The 4 tour options are listed below.
Tour 1(a): The Sliabh Liag Cliffs and (b) Glencolmcille. 14 + 26 km.
This incredible day of discovery takes you first to the legendary Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) Cliffs. No visit to Ireland would be complete without exploring this natural wonder. Return to Carrick and spend the second half of the day cycling the stunning and historic coast around Glencolmcille. Visit picture-perfect Sliver Strand Beach and explore the many historic sites in the Glencolmcille Valley.
Tour 2: The Deserted Hamlet of Port. 38 km.
Few places in Ireland conjure up that “get away from it all” feeling as much as the area around the deserted fishing hamlet of Port. (Pronounced Pur-Th). It’s tiny harbour is located at the end of a beautiful, quiet, almost deserted road (apart from the grazing sheep). Its round-stone beach and towering cliffs makes you want to linger and soak up the beauty and tranquillity of your surroundings. A cycle over the hills from Carrick will bring you here.
Tour 3: Two Stunning Valleys – Glengesh and Granny. 50 km
A cycle through not one, but two, beautiful glacial valleys. Cycle from Carrick over boglands and on to the remote, valley of Granny. Enjoy the thrilling descent down the valley to pristine Maghera Beach. Follow Loughros Beag bay to the heritage town of Ardara. Return to Carrick via the Glengesh Pass, climbing through the second of the days stunning glacial valleys.
Tour 4: Kilcar and Muckross Head. 38 km
If you want to visit a real seaside gem, where you can experience the very best of the Wild Atlantic Way in one place, then stunningly beautiful Muckross Head is the perfect spot. Enjoy the wonderful views along the coast and across the bay. Some of the most interesting views might be right at your feet. With an incredibly diverse range of shore-life, Muckross is the perfect place to appreciate the Irish coastline at its very best. The cycle to here takes you along the quiet roads through Kilcar village, a centre for traditional hand weaving and wool production.
Day 6: Depart
After Breakfast it is time to leave. Local bus services will take you to Donegal where you can catch connections to the major airports and other destinations around Ireland.
Tours available: 07 April 2025 – 25 September 2025
Peak Season: 01 June 2025 – 17 August 2025
5 Night Option
Price per person sharing: €660.
Peak Season: €690.
Single occupancy: €300.
27 Speed Hybrid Bicycle: €75
E-bike: €170
We recommend spending 5 nights in Carrick in order to experience the area at its best. However If you do not have enough time available you can opt to do a 4 night tour instead.
Price per person sharing: €560
Peak Season: €580
Single occupancy: €270
27 Speed Hybrid Bicycle: €65
E-bike: €165
Photos to follow shortly.
New for 2025
Below you will find the answer to some of the most commonly asked questions about this tour. For other more general FAQ’s please visit our FAQ page.
How does a centre based (single centre) tour work?
Traditionally most cycling holidays/bike tours involved cycling from place to place each day. While this is a wonderful way to discover an area it does involve packing and unpacking each day. In a centre based tour you are based in one place for the entire duration of the tour. The routes are generally either loops, out and back routes, or occasionally you will be transferred to the start and cycle back to your base. In this particular tour you are based in the village of Carrick in County Donegal, on Ireland’s North West coast. The routes for this tour are a combination of loops and out and back routes.
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 – 50 km (18 – 32 miles). However it is important to be aware that the routes are very hilly. For this reason we recommend using and electric bike.
Do I need to be a regular cyclist?
It is important that you are competent cyclist (as distinct from a fit cyclist) with adequate bicycle handling ability and a proper knowledge of the rules of the road. It is not recommended that you book a cycling holiday unless you have cycled at least occasionally before you arrive.
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.
Are the routes hilly?
The routes on this bike tour are very hilly. 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 us based in Carrick, County Donegal. For most people the arrival point in Ireland will be Dublin Airport. There are regular direct buses from the airport to Donegal Town where you can connect to local bus services that will take you to Carrick. To see links to timetables etc, click on the OVERVIEW tab above and scroll down to the Getting Here section.
Please enter your details to check availability. We will reply as soon as possible, giving details of how to complete your booking.