The Sliabh Liag Peninsula – Single Centre Bike Tour
Tour Overview
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. 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. Side by side with the spectacular views you can experience history from the stone age to the present. Enjoy the best of local cuisine with dinner at 3 selected local restaurants, including pick-up at your accommodation in Carrick.
Duration
6 Days/5 Nights
Tour Price
From €1090
Season
March – September
Terrain
Very hilly. E-bike Recommended
Difficulty
Difficulty With Ebike
Tour Highlights
The legendary Sliabh Liag Cliffs – Experience one of the highest sea cliffs in Europe with breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean.
Numerous golden sandy beaches – Discover pristine beaches including The Silver Strand and Maghera Beach.
The deserted fishing hamlet of Port – Visit this remote and tranquil location with its round-stone beach and towering cliffs.
History from every era at Glencolmcille – Explore historic sites spanning from the stone age to the present day.
Glacial valleys – Granny and Glengesh – Cycle through two stunning glacial valleys with thrilling descents.
The heritage town of Ardara – Visit this charming town known for traditional hand weaving and wool production.
Tour Photos
Tour Itinerary
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.
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 Silver Strand Beach and explore the many historic sites in the Glencolmcille Valley. In the evening we will pick you up at your accommodation and take you to the famous Rusty Mackerel restaurant for your evening dinner.
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). Its 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. Once again we will pick you up in the evening and take you to John Eoinin’s pub/restaurant in Glencolmcille for delicious local food.
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.
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. In the evening enjoy a meal at one of Ireland’s finest seafood restaurants – The Boathouse in Killybegs.
After breakfast it is time to leave.
Additional Information
2026 Dates
Tours available: 23 March 2026 – 22 September 2026
Peak season: 28 May 2026 – 24 August 2026
Prices
Price per person sharing: €1090
Peak Season Supplement: €1140
Single occupancy: €200
Solo Traveller Supplement: €150
27 Speed Bicycle (Ladies or Gents available): €70
Unisex E-bike: €170
E-Tandem: €330
Self-Guided bike tour price includes:
- 5 nights Bed and breakfast accommodation in B&B’s or small guest house.
- 3 evening meals in local restaurants including transfer from your accommodation.
- Welcome meeting and bike set up on arrival evening (or first morning after arrival) in Carrick.
- 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 (Carrick).
- Meals other than breakfast and 3 included evening meals.
- Entertainment.
- Entry to sites and attractions not included as part of the tour.
For this single centre tour you will be based in the village of Carrick. Accommodation is in a family owned B&B’s or small guest house.
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.
The Sliabh Liag Peninsula Centre Based Bike Tour — Booking
To book this self-guided cycling tour with Ireland by Bike:
1: Make a Booking Request
Please use the form 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.
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.
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 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 an 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 in the weeks and months 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 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.
Are the routes hilly?
The routes on evey day of this bike tour are very hilly. With some very steep gradients. For this reason we recommend using an electric bike for this tour.
How do I get to the start?
This bike tour is 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 Additional Information section above and look for Getting Here.
