Ireland Biking - West Coast

Number of Travellers: 16
Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights

Overview

Explore the rugged beauty of the Burren and Connemara on a 6-day cycling adventure along stunning coastal routes and past iconic landmarks like the Cliffs of Moher. Immerse yourself in local culture with Irish dance experiences and traditional music sessions. Stay in historic castles, enjoy delicious Irish cuisine, and discover the charm of the Wild Atlantic Way.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | The Burren | Overnight: Ballyvaughan

Day 2 | Cliffs of Moher | Overnight: Ballyvaughan

Day 3 | Joyce Country | Overnight: Connemmara

Day 4 | Exploring Connemara | Overnight: Connemmara

Day 5 | Killary Fjord | Overnight: Connemmara

Day 6 | Slán go foill!

Highlights

  • Ride through the rugged Burren landscape to the iconic Cliffs of Moher, then unwind with whiskey tasting and a cozy pub dinner.
  • Cycle through Connemara’s stunning landscapes to Ballynahinch Castle, with an immersive Irish dance experience along the way.
  • Venture along the wild Twelve Bens, then sail through Roundstone Bay to a remote island for a picnic.

Day by Day

Day 1 - The Burren

We’ll rendezvous at The Galmont in Galway and drive 1-hour south into County Clare. We’ll start with a  trip overview meeting and will enjoy a light lunch together at a quaint local tea room in the small town of Ballyvaughan. After lunch you will be introduced to your bike for the week, your guides will ensure you are fitted to your bike before you embark on your first ride of the week biking along the windswept Black Head then descend Corkscrew Hill to your first hotel, Gregans Castle, a Georgian manor house across the road from its namesake castle.  This evening, we will reconvene for welcome drinks and dinner at the property’s award-winning restaurant.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Ride Details: 28 km / 17 miles | 357 m / 1,171 ft elevation gain

Day 2 - Cliffs of Moher

Our morning cycle takes us through the Burren, via Poulnabrone with breathtaking views along the way. Lunch will be on your own today in Lahinch  – you’ll have the option to choose from several classic pubs, with fantastic seafood options.

This afternoon, it’s a short pedal to the famous Cliffs of Moher, which are well worth the hype! You’ll have plenty of time to admire the geographic wonder before you cycle or hitch a ride back to the hotel. Later, join us for an Irish whisky tasting before a relaxed pub dinner.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Ride Details: 50 km / 31 miles | 531 m / 1,742 ft elevation gain

Day 3 - Joyce Country

Embark on a captivating journey starting from Gregans Castle in the morning, tracing the scenic south coast of Galway towards Spiddal.  We’ll step into the world of Irish dance and experience the magic of this Irish tradition, trying out various styles of Irish dance and learn a deeper appreciation for Irish dance, music and culture. For lunch, relish a delightful meal of local produce. In the afternoon, pedal through the breathtaking landscapes from Rossaveal to Ballynahinch Castle, covering a picturesque route. Traverse windswept southern Connemara, meander across the enchanting Connemara boglands, and follow coastal inlets leading you to the grandeur of Ballynahinch Castle.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Ride Details: 49 km / 30 miles | 377 m / 1,237 ft elevation gain

Day 4 - Exploring Connemara

Today, we set off on a looped ride through Connemara, a region rich in Gaelic history and culture. We’ll start through the interior through a lunar bog scenery set against the Twelve Bens Mountain Range. When we reach the coast, you have the option to ride an extra loop around Sky Road or continue directly to the fishing village of Roundstone. Here we’ll take a boat ride through the scenic Roundstone bay watching out for all the flora & fauna along the way to a deserted island for a picnic lunch.  It’s a short bike ride from Roundstone back to the hotel.  Tonight, you’ll have the chance to do a bit of exploring and dinner on your own in the town of Clifden, the unofficial capital of Connemara.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Ride Details: 47 km / 29 miles | 309 m / 1,014 ft elevation gain

Day 5 - Killary Fjord

After a hearty Irish breakfast, we’ll bike from the hotel through the Inagh Valley to Killary, Ireland’s only fjord. Those looking for extra mileage can extend the ride with a long option which will pass by Kylemore Abbey and the Renvyle Peninsula. We all reconvene on the shores of Killary to enjoy a demonstration from a local sheep farm.  We’ll cycle to nearby Lough Inagh for lunch. We will reconvene later on for a memorable final night pub dinner and a “trad session'” featuring Irish music.

Overnight: Connemmara | Ballynahinch Castle Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Ride Details: 31 km / 19 miles | 232 m / 761 ft elevation gain

Day 6 - Slán go foill!

After breakfast this morning, we’ll drive you just over an hour back to Galway in time for the Dublin train. Your guides would be happy to help you arrange a private car to Dublin or Shannon airports.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • 5 nights accommodation (Gregans Castle-  2 nights (superior rooms); Ballynahinch Castle- 3 nights (superior rooms))
  • Breakfast x 5
  • Lunch x 4 (café style or picnic)
  • Dinner at Gregan’s Castle x 1
  • Dinner at Ballynahinch Castle x 2 (1 pub; 1 restaurant)
  • Restaurant Dinner x 1
  • Soft drinks or glass of wine per person with included lunches
  • Wine with included dinners (up to 1/2 bottle per person mid-range)
  • Cocktail and canapé reception at Gregan’s Castle
  • Cocktail before farewell dinner
  • A selection of snacks and drinks while biking and during transfers giving a taste of the local region
  • Expert guiding throughout on 1:8 guide to client ratio with support driver
  • Whiskey tasting
  • Killary Sheep Farm
  • Boat tour of Roundstone Bay & island picnic
  • Irish Dancing Experience
  • Traditional music at Ballynahinch
  • All group transfers throughout from start and finish points in Galway
  • Bike rental throughout (choice of road or e-bike (limited availability))
  • Gratuities for restaurant & hotel staff, as well as third party providers
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Wilderness guide gratuities
Notes Read More

If travelling to the UK or Northern Ireland pre or post trip please take note of the below:

There is a new legislation as of January 8th 2025, if traveling to the UK (including Northern Ireland) from the US, Canada, Singapore or Australia then travelers should have electronic travel authorization (ETA) which is now a requirement. There is more info HERE and how to apply.

Important Contact Numbers Read More
Wilderness Ireland Office | 9:00am – 5:30pm

EU: +353 (0)71 9344650
US: 888 351 4257

Out of Office Hours | 5:30pm – 9:00am

+353 (0)86 873 7223

Emergency Services

999

Arrival & Departure Read More

Your guide will meet you at The Galmont Hotel, Galway at 10:15 am on the first day of your trip.

You will be returned to Galway Train Station at 10:30 am on the final day of your trip.

Pricing Read More

Approximate pricing based on per person sharing:

4 travelers                          €6000 per person sharing

5 – 6 travelers                    €5300 per person sharing

7 – 10 travelers                  €4600 per person sharing

11 – 12 travelers                €4500 per person sharing

13 – 16 travelers                €4400 per person sharing

Single Supplement            €1400

Pre-night at Galmont         €375

Important Additional Information Read More
Planned Departure Dates Read More
  • Departure Code: 25WIAD_B&R_2505 | Sunday 25th May - Friday 30th May 2025
  • Departure Code: 25WIAD_B&R_0806 CANCELLED | Sunday 8th June - Friday 13th June 2025
  • Departure Code: 25WIAD_B&R_1307 | Sunday 13th July - Friday 18th July 2025
  • Departure Code: 25WIAD_B&R_1008 CANCELLED | Sunday 10th August - Friday 15th August 2025
  • Departure Code: 25WIAD_B&R_3108 | Sunday 31st August - Friday 5th September 2025

Get in Touch

Email Róisín Murray

Accommodation

Gregans Castle

Ballyvaughan | Co. Clare |
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)65 707 7005
Web: gregans.ie

Ballynahinch Castle Hotel

Ballinafad, Recess | Connemmara | Galway |
Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)95 31006
Web: ballynahinch-castle.com

Meet Your Guides

Kevin Cronin

Contact Number: +353 86 817 3458

From my earliest memories, I have been drawn to exploring the remote, the wild and the isolated. Sharing these places with others on foot or bike brings me the greatest joy. The change of seasons, the abundance of nature, the sun, the wind and the rain are my oxygen. Hidden valleys, stone walls and ancient roads race in my blood. A quiet pint, fresh crab claws, a beautiful ballad or a story well told feed my soul.

I have been fortunate to have walked, cycled and explored much of Europe’s most amazing backdrops but I am always drawn back to the wilds of Ireland. As a child and later as a parent its extraordinary landscape, history and culture have kept me nurtured.

Ruairi Leddy

Contact Number: 353 (0)86 774 1623

I’ve always been most at home when in the outdoors, be it biking, kayaking or surfing. This is why I gravitated towards studying outdoor education and why becoming a guide seemed such a natural fit. I love nothing more than loading my van with gear and heading out to explore with like-minded people. Away from guiding, I work with young offenders. I am also a trained Yoga instructor in a Yoga style called Vinyasa Flow with Green Lotus Yoga. I feel very fortunate to guide people through some of Ireland’s most majestic landscapes and share some of my favourite places with them.

Virtuoso

Ireland Biking – West Coast