Ireland –North West Grand Bike Tour 2021 Individual Self-Guided 8 Days/7 Nights
From the Yeats Country around Sligo Town to the rugged Highlands of Donegal, Ireland’s North West is a perfect area for Ireland cycling tours. In this tour, Ireland reveals its wonderful landscapes at their best. Cycle through verdant valleys. Slip off your shoes for an invigorating foot massage – courtesy of the fine sand and crystal clear water at one of the many beautiful beaches! Cycle through wide open expanses of quiet and peaceful bog lands. Breathe the sea air at the top of vertigo inducing cliffs. Stop in welcoming little villages and savoir the laid-back atmosphere and the warm local hospitality. Hear the vibrant traditional music for which the area is famous. Travel through time as you discover Stone Age, Bronze Age and Celtic tombs and forts. This is a challenging tour that starts in the “Yeats Country” in Sligo Town. From here you wind your way north, sometimes along the coast, sometimes inland. You complete a circle of the Donegal coast and highlands, before finishing in Donegal Town. If you are inspired by wonderful landscapes and love to get off the beaten track then this is one of the best cycling tours you will ever experience. On most days you cycle between 80 and 90 km making this bike tour ideal for the cycling enthusiast.
OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350
Itinerary Day to Day
Day 1: Arrive in Sligo On your arrival in Sligo we will meet you from the train or bus. If you arrive early in the day it will give you a chance to explore this town – forever associated with the poet W. B. Yeats. If you like we can recommend a short cycle route that will allow you to familiarize yourself with your surroundings and bicycle.
Day 2: Sligo to Donegal Town – 83 km Your bike tour takes you north from Sligo. The beautiful valley of Glencar, with its lake and waterfall, beckons. Cycle on through peaceful countryside, past lakes and farmland. Briefly cross the border into Northern Ireland. Visit the lakeside village of Belleek, famous for its pottery. Continue into County Donegal, rejoining the coast at your overnight stop in historic Donegal Town.
Day 3: Donegal to Carrick – 60 – 75 km Today you cycle west along Donegal Bay. You’ll pass inlets, beaches and small peninsulas. Pass through the bustling fishing village of Killybegs. As you cycle west from Killybegs the coastal views become ever more dramatic. Staggering cliffs tower above secluded beaches on your refreshing journey to your overnight destination is the village of Carrick – the base for exploring Slieve League. No trip to Donegal would be complete without a visit here!
Day 4: Carrick to Glenties – 77 km If you really want to see Ireland cycling tours are simply the best way. Today you’ll really see why. Cycle along a stretch of coast with few equals. View nature at its best as you bike past cliffs, sea stacks, unspoiled fishing hamlets, wild bogs, pristine beaches, remote Gaelic speaking communities, and historic monuments from every era since the Stone Age. Today’s route has it all! Later in the evening make your way to the pleasant village of Glenties, for your overnight stop.
OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350
Day 5: Glenties to Gweedore – 80 km Cycle north from Glenties on quiet roads overlooking the Gweebarra Estuary. Climb gradually along a beautiful peaceful valley, towards Glenveagh National Park. Here golden eagles and red deer live, and hopefully you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one of them! Continue past stately Mount Errigal to your overnight stop in the Gaelic speaking area of Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair). This area has a history of producing internationally acclaimed folk acts such as Clannad, Altan and Skara Brae. A visit to the local pubs will let you see why.
Day 6: Gweedore to Ramelton – 73 km Glorious golden strands stretch along the section of coast you follow on today’s part of your North West Ireland cycling tour. Out to sea the islands of Inishbofin and the Kingdom of Tory are clearly visible. Head inland, passing pleasant lakes, at the foot of heather clad mountains. Rejoin the coast at the historic town of Ramelton. This picturesque town was once a Trans-Atlantic port. That was in the 18th century however. These days it’s a much more laid-back place, and a very pleasant town to explore.
Day 7: Ramelton – 0 – 85 km Cycle anything from 0 to 85 kilometers today. A short distance away is the historic village of Rathmullan – forever associated with the “Flight of The Earls” – one of the pivotal events in Irish History. If you simply can’t get enough of biking the dramatic Donegal coastline, a cycle around Fanad Peninsula should satisfy you completely! With the sea all around, Fanad is not lacking in dramatic and ever-changing coastline. A full circuit of the peninsula could be anything up to 85 km.
Day 8: Depart after Breakfast Following breakfast we will transfer you to Letterkenny bus station where you will find easy connections to all parts of Ireland including the main airports. Take with you your memories of your cycling holiday around Ireland’s beautiful and friendly North West.
OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350
Route
Technical Characteristics:
Tour Profile: Challenging. Average daily distance 80 km on hilly terrain.
Distance: 473 km
Travel Season: Departures daily from April 5 to Sept 27, 2021 Peak Season: May 31 to August 30
OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350
Price per Person: Off Peak Season Double Occupancy € 890.00 Peak Season Double Occupancy € 960.00 Single Supplement € 195.00 Bike Rental € 105.00 E-bike Rental € 175.00 Extra Nights Any Location Double Occupancy € 80.00 Extra Nights Any Location Single Occupancy Supplement € 15.00
Accommodation:
• Rooms with shower/WC or bath/WC
Included: • Bed and breakfast accommodation in carefully selected guest houses and B&B’s • Welcome meeting on arrival • Daily luggage transfers • Full support • Comprehensive guide booklet • All maps and guide notes • GPS unit (Garmin Edge 200) – one per room
Not Included:
• Travel to and from start/finish of tour • Meals other than breakfast
OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350
Equipment Rental
Hybrid Bikes The bicycle we use on our tours is the Kellys Axis (men’s frame) and Kellys Omega (women’s frame), or an equivalent model. These high quality 24 speed hybrid models combine the best features of road and mountain bikes, making them the perfect choice for touring the type of terrain in North West Ireland.
Electric Bikes
We use the high quality Kalkhoff Agattu Impulse. This bike combines an excellent battery life lasting up to 180 km with the comfort and versatility of an all terrain bike. Perfect for bike touring in the hilly terrain of North West Ireland.
Equipment As well as the bicycle the following are also provided.
• Helmet • Front carrier bag with map holder • Mudguards • Rear luggage carrier • Lock • Puncture repair kit • Pump • Spare inner tube
Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com
THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848