Cycling in the wild Connemara region, between coasts and lakes

After a hearty Irish breakfast, your first day of cycling will take you from Clifden along the Sky Road, offering stunning views of the Atlantic coast. You'll pass through the traditional fishing village of Cleggan, then continue on to Letterfrack, home to Connemara National Park. Take a break and enjoy a walking route with several loops offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic and the distant islands, or have a coffee while learning more about this ancient Irish landscape at the charming visitor center.

Your itinerary ends today on the Renvyle Peninsula, where you will spend the night. This wild peninsula, jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, is full of archaeological sites, historical ruins, and white sand beaches just waiting to be explored.

Your route today, from the Renvyle Peninsula, follows a winding coastal road along the edge of the deep green Atlantic Ocean, past white sand beaches and through the pretty village of Tullycross with its traditional thatched cottages.

As you continue your journey, a breathtaking panorama of Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord, will appear around a bend. Your destination is the tiny village of Leenane, nestled at the foot of the Maamturks Mountains, at the head of the fjord. Here, you can choose to board the Connemara Lady catamaran for a cruise along the fjord to the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, with commentary on the fascinating history, landscape, and people of this region. The trip is often graced by the sight of dolphins leaping in the water!

You'll be spending the night here in Leenane. Despite its small size, it always has a lively and friendly atmosphere in the village's two pubs and with a selection of restaurants serving excellent dishes made with local ingredients. Take the opportunity to enjoy a cold Guinness in one of the traditional pubs of our hometown!

Leaving Leenane this morning, your route will take you inland, through mountains and moors dotted with lakes. Along the way, you'll pass the famous Kylemore Abbey and its gardens. We highly recommend stopping at this Gothic castle, steeped in fascinating history. Built in 1867, it boasts one of the finest Victorian walled gardens in Ireland and is also an excellent place for lunch.

Your destination is the magnificent Inagh Valley. Here, you can choose to explore the Mám Éan Geological Trail. This fascinating trail, traversing an ancient mountain pass, explores the geological links between western Ireland and northeastern America, which were once connected before being separated by the Atlantic Ocean 100 million years ago!

Tonight you will stay in charming accommodation overlooking Lough Inagh, one of the most beautiful lakes in Connemara, surrounded by the majestic Maamturks and Twelve Bens mountains.

Today, you'll return to the coast along a route dotted with pretty fishing villages, crossing a landscape of gently colored peat bogs and heaths, still marked by Neolithic field systems. Your journey will take you into the heart of the Gaeltacht, a region where Gaelic is spoken, so listen carefully to hear this ancient and musical language all around you.

Your route will take you to the Roundstone Peninsula, where ancient peat bogs meet vast golden beaches, some of the most beautiful in Ireland. Stop at Gurteen Beach and Dog's Bay, two pristine white sand beaches, back to back, composed entirely of shell fragments.

Not far from here lies the picturesque fishing village of Roundstone, where you will spend the night. Over the years, this village has been a haven for artists, musicians, and those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of the world. Its charming harbor offers a magnificent panorama of the Atlantic Ocean stretching to the jagged peaks of the Twelve Bens mountains.

Your cycling day begins along the shores of Mannin Bay, with its magnificent turquoise waters. You will continue on deserted roads through peat bogs to the charming coastal village of Ballyconneely, where you can visit the famous Connemara Smokehouse.

Your return journey will be via the Bog Road. Immerse yourself in the rich scents and landscapes as you travel through this unique and preserved area of ​​native peat bogs, with its many rare plants, all against a backdrop of majestic mountains.

You will arrive in Clifden to enjoy the last night of your tour in this vibrant stop on the Wild Atlantic Way.

After breakfast, your tour concludes and it's time to continue your journey, taking with you unforgettable memories of Ireland. Slán go fóill! – we hope to see you again soon.