Wednesday, July 7
Today you start your exploration of Donegal. The first leg follows the course of the River Erne west from Lough Erne to Ballyshannon. You then ride north along the beautiful Atlantic Coast past the surfing beaches at Rossnowlagh to Donegal Town for lunch. You can do a bit of shopping in the craft market before pushing on for a great loop around the rolling shores of Lough Eske. The ride finishes with a long descent to the town of Ardara, the home some great musical pubs and several excellent outlets for Donegal tweed and Irish hand knits.
Thursday, July 8
This ride is a loop around the majestic Glen Peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic between Donegal Bay to the south and Gweebarra Bay to the north. The scenery in the interior comprises dramatic moorland and rushing rivers, while the coastline is made up of huge sea cliffs, prominent headlands and pristine beaches beaches hiding in rocky coves. The ride starts with a gentle pedal up the valley of the Glengesh River culminating in a short brutal climb over the Glengesh Pass. From here it is all downhill to the coast at Carrick. A short detour from the village leads to the viewpoint for the incredible Slieve League Cliffs, and then it is on to Glencolmcille. On the return leg the countryside becomes more and more remote and (if possible) more beautiful. There is a long descent to meet the coast at Maghera and a picturesque ride along the bay back to Ardara. If you have any energy left an out and back trip to Loughros Point will take care of it!
Friday, July 9
Leaving Ardara you pedal north around the rugged stretch of coastline known as The Rosses and then turn inland to follow the River Gweebarra upstream to Dunlewy. You then continue east up the gentle, remote and atmospheric valley that leads to the Glenveagh National Park, and more great vistas. Turning south your next target is the River Finn, in the Bluestack Mountains, which you follow downstream for the final few miles into the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar.
Saturday, July 10
You pedal through the wonderfully isolated and largely undiscovered Sperrins in the very centre of Ulster. A mosaic of river valleys, forests and sheep-dotted uplands, this is perfect bicycling country! The first section from Ballybofey follows the River Finn to Strabane on the western edge of the Sperrins. There is the option to visit the Ulster American Folk Park before pedalling through the Owenkillew Valley, climbing over Barne’s Gap and dropping down to the Glenelly Valley to complete the ride to Draperstown, one of Ulster’s heritage linen towns. There is the option of a challenging extension around the Gortin lakes and/or a ride around the Gortin Glen Forest Park.
Sunday, July 11
Lough Neagh – Ireland’s largest freshwater lake, lies just to the east of the Sperrins. Toomebridge at the northern end of the lake is the site of the largest eel fishery in Europe. The River Bann drains the lake to the north and you follow its peaceful valley it through pastoral countryside towards the coast. At Kilrea you cross to the east bank of the river and continue north to Aghadowey. There is the option to play a few holes of golf before dinner.
Monday, July 12
From Aghadowey you continue north to Coleraine, passing Mountsandel, the oldest inhabited site in Ireland. In the market town of Coleraine, you cross the Bann and ride alongside the coast to Downhill, site of the Bishop’s Palace and the cliif-top perched Mussenden Temple. The route then leads you inland to the town of Limavady for lunch, before you tackle the challenging climb over the dramatic Binevenagh Plateau. From the top of the Plateau there are stupendous vistas over Lough Foyle and the Inishowen Peninsula in Donegal. Returning to Coleraine, you follow a National Cycle Network route east through the resorts of Portstewart and Portrush , visiting Dunluce Castle en route to Bushmills – your accommodation location for the next two nights.
Tuesday, July 13
There are many options for this “rest day”, including a visit to the Giant’s Causeway, a tour of the Old Bushmills Distillery, a hike along the dramatic Causeway Coast Path – and of course a bike ride!
Wednesday, July 14
Continuing east along the Causeway Coast, the landscape becomes ever more spectacular as you round each successive headland. Rathlin Island comes into view, followed by the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland, just 11 miles away at its closest point. You can take the short hike down to the famous rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede on the way to the resort of Ballycastle. From here there are three alternative routes (of varying degrees of challenge, but all equally spectacular) over the Antrim Plateau and down one of the famous nine Glens of Antrim to meet the Antrim Coast Road. Your destination is the Londonderry Arms Hotel in Carnlough, once owned by Sir Winston Churchill.
Thursday July 15
You continue riding south along the impressive Antrim Coast Road, blasted out of the limestone cliffs in the 19th century, through the port of Larne and on to Carrickfergus, at the mouth of Belfast Lough. Carrickfergus Castle is the most impressive and best preserved Norman castle in Ireland. The stretch into Belfast along the shores of the Lough is on a purpose built cycle path. You should arrive in Belfast in time for a late lunch and then there is the option of a fascinating open top bus or famous “black taxi” tour of the city – and/or some souvenir shopping.
Friday, July 16
The last ride of the itinerary is yet another scenic gem, packed with places to stop off en route. From Belfast you ride along the Comber Greenway bike trail along an old rail path to Comber. Next you follow the western shore of Strangford Lough to Nendrum Monastic Site (6th Century) and on to Downpatrick where you can visit St Patrick’s Grave and learn about his life and times in the St Patrick’s Visitor Centre. There is the option of a loop ride to Strangford that takes you through Castleward Estate before turning north and pedalling back to Belfast through the delightful County Down countryside. On arriving back at the hotel you will have plenty of time to break down and pack your bicycle before a farewell dinner at the hotel.
Saturday, July 17
A transfer after breakfast will take you to your Dublin hotel (total time around 3 hours). There will be time to stop for an hour or so at the ancient site of Newgrange on the way.
Sunday, July 18
Depart for home or other destinations.
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