Day 1: Arrival in Clifden
Arrive to your first night's accommodation in Clifden. Clifden town, the "Capital of Connemara," is bursting with culture, traditional music, quaint streets and cosy pubs and restaurants. From your accommodation you can experience the best of town and country in a property that is run with every care and attention to making you feel welcome and at home.
We will meet you either on the evening of arrival or the following morning (depending on your arrival time) to go through your itinerary and answer any questions you have about your tour. All bikes and equipment will be delivered to your accommodation and we will make sure that everything fits you perfectly!
Overnight in Clifden
Day 2: Clifden – Sky Road – Roundstone (10-26 miles/16-42 km, depending on your chosen route)
Today you will have a chance to explore around Clifden. You will have a choice to cycle along the famous Sky Road or to go and discover the south of Connemara and Roundstone peninsula. This day will also give you a chance to relax after your travel to the west of Ireland and get familiar with your bikes and the week ahead!
Overnight in Clifden
Day 3: Inishbofin/Cleggan (22 miles/35 km)
Your morning cycle will bring you along the Sky Road. You will then follow the Bog Road across areas of valuable native peatland against the backdrop of soaring mountains to reach the village of Cleggan and the ferry for Inishbofin island. Forty minutes by ferry, Inishbofin is a world apart from the mainland in every way. The island is peppered with ancient sites, including the ruins of Cromwell's promontory fort and gaol, set high above the crashing waves at the entrance to the island's harbour. Its population, of only 200 people, will warmly welcome you during your stay and will allow you a brief but fascinating insight into their traditional island life.
Depending on the availabilities of accommodation, you will either spend the night on Inishbofin, or you will come back with the 5pm ferry ad stay in Cleggan for the night.
Overnight in Inishbofin or Cleggan(depending on availability)
Day 4: Inishbofin/Cleggan – Renvyle Peninsula (13 miles/20 km)
After an early breakfast on the island you will catch the ferry back to the mainland from where you will continue your Connemara cycle around this western coastline. Your destination today is the Renvyle Peninsula, a rugged promontory that juts into the Atlantic Ocean and is home to a vibrant, farming and fishing community. Traveling quiet roads, you will pass through Letterfrack, where the unique landscape of Connemara has been preserved by a National Park. The park includes very accessible trail walks and an excellent visitor center. Reaching the Renvyle Peninsula you will find an area dotted with lakes, golden beaches, and stony hills.
Overnight in Renvyle
Day 5: Renvyle – Leenane (16 miles/25 km)
Leaving Renvyle you will pass through the village of Tullycross with its traditional thatched cottages and emerge onto the impressive coastline. Take your time and pause to absorb the ocean views and soak up the scent of the sea. Turning inland you will cycle through the mountains to bring you to the small village of Leenane, situated at the head of Ireland’s only fjord. You could choose to take a sightseeing tour of Killary Fjord aboard the Connemara Lady catamaran. The 1.5-hour boat trip is often joined by leaping dolphins and includes commentary on the fascinating history and geography of the area.
Tonight, you will spend the night in Leenane where you will have the choice of excellent local dining, traditional pubs and the chance to meet locals and visitors alike.
Overnight on Leenane
Day 6: Leenane – Louisburgh (19 miles/30 km)
From Leenane, you will follow the shores of KIllary Fjord and enter the spectacular Delphi and Doolough Valleys with mountains dropping down into dark lakes each side of you. Continuing on towards the coast once more you will emerge at the town of Louisburgh on the shores of Clew Bay.
Louisburgh is a rural market town which retains many eighteenth-century features in style and scale. It is a town that supports a large, far-flung population and the gentle rhythms of life in this area can be felt as you stroll along its four main streets. It is surrounded by an area of immense natural beauty with mountains to the east and south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and north.
Overnight in Louisburgh
Day 7: Louisburgh – Westport (16 miles/25 km)
Today you continue along the Clew Bay coastline and under the shadow of Croagh Patrick mountain to reach your destination in Westport. Pretty and colorful, the heritage town of Westport is a captivating blend of traditional and modern. Contrast and paradox are just part of its charm. It has been voted Ireland’s Best Place to Live and Ireland’s Tidiest Town and will provide a memorable finale to your Atlantic Way Experience.
Overnight in Westport
Day 8: Departure
Breakfast and departure! Westport is well serviced by regular uses to Galway or trains to Dublin. Onward transfers can be arranged on request.