Highlands of Donegal
Donegal is one of the undiscovered gems of Ireland. There is a wonderful mix of coastal cycling and 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, with a landscape full of browns, greens and purples constantly altering their tone with the changing light. Traditional music is very strong here and the people have a wonderfully gentle nature.
The roads are all tarmaced and the route is designed to ensure that you spend most of the week on quiet backroads. Occasionally it will be necessary to ride on busier roads which is unavoidable as there may be no minor roads on certain stretches of the route. To experience the majestic scenery of this area the route does have some climbs, so it is worth getting a few weekends training on a bike in varied terrain before coming thus ensuring that you can fully enjoy the week.
Itinerary
On arrival in Donegal you should make your way to your B&B. Check in is after 2.00pm on your day of arrival.
We will send you on full accommodation details closer to your departure date.
A folder containing your route details and information on collection of your bikes will be at the guesthouse.
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 you cycle up to a viewing point of the spectacular Slieve League Cliffs one of the highest marine based cliffs in Europe. In the afternoon you head to your night stop in the village of Glencolumcille passing freshly cut peat drying in the surrounding bogs.
Today you 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 you continue along a quiet bog road before heading to the coastal town of Dungloe where again you stay in local guesthouses.
You continue through a rolling landscape through quiet sleepy villages and can visit Leo’s pub where Enya and Clannad first sang. Later you cycle toward the spectacular Mount Errigal and stop for lunch at the base of this mountain.
In the afternoon you 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 village overlooks Portnablagh Beach and dunes where you can swim, swing a golf club or take a change of saddle, to gallop down the beach.
The morning’s cycle takes you through isolated highland country roads with a worthwhile detour to Doe Castle. You 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 wind our way down to our evenings accommodation in the town of Ramelton.
Today you cycle the beautiful and remote Fanad Pennisula stopping for lunch in Port Salon. You 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 our cycle brings us back to Ramelton where we will then transfer you back to Donegal town before heading home the following morning
Route overview
Total Distance: 319km Approx.
Over All Difficulty: Moderate
Start Point: DONEGAL
The roads are all tarmaced and the route is designed to ensure that you spend most of the week on quiet backroads. Occasionally it will be necessary to ride on busier roads which is unavoidable as there may be no minor roads on certain stretches of the route. To experience the majestic scenery of this area the route does have some climbs, so it is worth getting a few weekends training on a bike in varied terrain before coming thus ensuring that you can fully enjoy the week.
Route Map (For guidance only):
Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
What’s included
- Seven nights accommodation with full Irish breakfast
- Standard Bike Hire
- One evening meal
- Route maps and details
- Luggage transfer each day
- Transfer from Ramelton to Donegal
- GPS tracks available (on request)
Check Availability
We have put a calendar of events together that will provide you with some inspiration of what you can expect on your holiday, and when the best time to jet off is. Now’s your chance to travel further than you can by foot and be part of a memorable and exciting two-wheel journey with us.
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