It has been a difficult time for all of us. I booked a self driving tour through Irish Tourism that was cancelled due to Covid issues with travel. The booking process was excellent and thorough. It wa Read more »
Every thing was as promised. B&B's were awesome and the proprietors very gracious. Big van with lots of space for the 6 of us as well as our luggage with room to spare. We will definitely use Irish ... Read more »
Donegal is one of the undiscovered gems of Ireland. There is a wonderful mix of coastal cycling followed by a highland landscape where you can feel completely away from it all, before returning back to the coast and the most beautiful beaches in the country. The light is amazing here, which a landscape full of browns, greens and purples constantly altering their tone with the changing light. The pace of life is wonderfully easy going and the people amongst the most welcoming in the country.
Dunfanaghy for 2 Nights
The group meets up with the guide at 6.30pm in the bar of The Abbey Hotel in the centre of Donegal Town (ph 074-9721014). This is our meeting point only and not where we will be staying. If you are unexpectedly delayed please call the hotel and leave a message for the guide as to when you expect to arrive. After an introductory talk, an evening meal is organised in the hotel bar while your luggage is being transferred to our central guesthouse accommodation in Donegal that night. There is a chance later on this evening to meet again in a local pub to hear some music.
After being fitted out with your bike you then begin the tour with a cycle out of Donegal town towards the wonderful coastline where we continue to our lunch stop in village of Carrick. After lunch we cycle up to a viewing point of the spectacular Slieve League Cliffs one of the highest marine based cliffs in Europe. In the afternoon we head to our night stop in the village of Glencolumcille passing freshly cut peat drying in the surrounding bogs.
Today we head up into wild highland country along quiet back roads with a wonderful open landscape. There follows a wonderful descent down the dramatic Glengesh Valley to the beautiful Maghera beach. The beach is well worth stopping at for a walk across its wonderful white sands to explore the caves of Maghera. You can also go for a swim in the lagoon here and pretend you are in the Caribbean(!) before heading to the village of Ardara for a pub lunch. In the afternoon we continue along a quiet bog road before heading to the coastal town of Dungloe where again we stay in local guesthouses.
We continue through a rolling landscape through quiet sleepy villages and can visit Leo's pub where Enya and Clannad first sang. Later we cycle toward the spectacular Mount Errigal and stop for lunch at the base of this mountain. In the afternoon we cycle up to take in a view of the Poison Glen and then descend through an empty mountainscape towards Dunfanaghy. You also have the option of visiting Glenveagh National Park in the afternoon.
The hotel overlooks Portnablagh Beach and dunes where you can swim, swing a golf club or saddle-up for a gallop down along the beach.
The morning’s cycle takes you through isolated highland country roads with a worthwhile detour to Doe Castle. We stop for lunch in Downings on the Rosguill Peninsula. A roller coaster ride around the coast affords spectacular views of white sandy beaches as we wend our way down to our evenings accommodation in the town of Ramelton.
Today we cycle the beautiful and remote Fanad Pennisula stopping for lunch in Port Salon. We continue along the shores of Lough Swilly through Rathmullan from where the last Earls of Ireland fled to Europe in 1607, thus ending the old Irish Order. The final leg of the cycle brings us to Rathmelton where we will then transfer you back to Donegal town for a farewell night on the town together before heading home the following morning.
Accommodation Type | Price |
---|---|
Price per person sharing | €990 |
Single Supplement | €281 |
Notes
Distances
The average cycling distance is an easy 30m (45km) with longer routes being available most days. The tours are suitable for adults of all ages, but a certain level of fitness is required and taking in a few practice rides is strongly recommended. The tours are not suited for children under 13 years of age. The Ring of Kerry, the Highlands of Donegal and the Antrim tours have more hills than the other routes and are more suited to the keener cyclist.
Meals
Your guide will recommend a lunch stop each day where a snack lunch will cost between €8 and €12. A group evening meal is organised by the guide each night which costs between €18 and €25. One evening meal during the tour is included in the tour price.
Your Bicycle
We supply 18-21 speed hybrid touring models for your tour. Each booking must give your name and approximate height. Repair equipment, helmets and pannier bags are available on request.
Starting Times
Each of the tours start with a meeting group at 6:30pm on the Saturday evening in a central hotel close to the local train station and bus station. This is only a meeting point, typically the group will be staying in nearby guesthouses. The guide is able to return to the meeting place at 9:30pm again that evening and the following morning for those arriving late. After an introductory talk the guide will organise an evening meal and direct you to your first nights accommodation.
Insurance
There is an additional charge of €35 for insurance cover. We insist that riders avail of our insurance policy or else have alternative cover in place
Prices in other currencies are indicative only. Please note that we charge in Euro.
Please enter your vacation requirements in the form below. If your enquiry requires a more immediate response, please use the Tollfree & International numbers as listed down the page.
For customers based in North America, please note that as we are based in Ireland, we are 5 hours ahead of EST.
See what people say about the vacations we plan
Let us help you create that dream Irish vacation that you will remember forever.
UK FreeFone
USA & Canada
Australia
International