Difficulty Rating : 8 Start: Galway Finish: Galway Daily Average: 70kms Weekly Average: 350kms Terrain: Undulating, roads in Connemara tend to go around the mountains rather than over them! Tour Type: Sportive,Self Guided Teaser: On our Connemara Sportive the distances are higher than our standard tours a great way to see more beautiful countryside in fewer days!
  • Overview
  • Trip Outline
  • Trip Includes
  • FAQ
  • What people say...
  • Pricing
  • Travel
  • Accomodation
  • Resources
  • Booking

There are so many possibilties for cycling tours in Connemara.   On our Connemara Sportive the distances are higher than our standard tours a great way to see more beautiful countryside in fewer days!

The trip starts in the village of Cong before heading North into the Partry Mountains and the fantastic town of Westport.   There follows a cycle into the Delphi Valley,  arguably one of the most beautiful roads in Ireland,  to an overnight stop in Leenane village.   The trip continues by hugging the coast to Cleggan where we stop for a wonderful lunch before heading to Clifden.   A rest day in Clifden affords the opportunity to cycle the coast road to Roundstone and a chance to take a drip in the amazing Dogs Bay beach.     The last day on the bike brings you through quiet old bog roads in wild remote roads that could only be found in Connemara.   The cycle finishes in Oughterard where we will arrange a transfer back into Galway city.

We can arrange private groups on request and self guided tours from anytime from summer through to the end of October.

No details found.

A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Resources Tab

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrive in Galway

When you arrive in Galway you make your way to your accommodation anytime after 3.00pm. You can then explore this bustling medieval city. We will send you on full accommodation details and the necessary contact details for your tour closer to your departure date.

Day 2

Galway / Headford to Westport (85km/740m)

Your cycle starts in Headford and heads to “Joyces Country” where rolling green fields full of grazing sheep looking out on mountains and lakes line your route. Soon you descend down to Lough Mask, the fourth largest lake in the country and a wonderful cycle along the shores ensues. At the village of Tourmakeady you have your biggest climb of the week over the Partry Mountains with wonderful views back to the Lough and to the Croagh Patrick in the distance. The cycle continues on quiet back road with stunning views to Westport.

Day 3

Westport to Leenane (65km/550m)

You cycle between Croagh Patrick and the beautiful Clew Bay with its many small islands, to the village of Louisburgh where you can stop for lunch. In the afternoon you head south through one of the highlights of the week, the stunning Delphi Valley with its beautiful lakes overlooked by Ben Bury, the highest mountain in Connemara. Overnight is in the small village of Leenane which looks out over Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord.

Day 4

Leenane to Clifden (68km/650m or 78km/830m)

The cycle heads into the heart of Connemara overlooked by the Twelve Bens mountain range and a visit to Kylemore Abbey, a wedding gift from a wealthy Liverpool businessman to his wife in 1868. Continuing along quiet backroads past small fields with grazing cattle you will arrive at the seaside village of Cleggan where you stop for lunch. In the afternoon you follow the scenic coast road to Clifden where you can watch cars travel across the beach to Omey Island only accessible when the tide is out! Clifden, the capital of Connemara , where you spend the next two nights. A pretty and bustling town of art galleries, cafes, pubs and restaurants established 200years ago at the whim of John D’Arcy

Day 5

Clifden Loop (62km/450m)

An "easy" cycle around the coastline to Ballyconneely and Roundstone returning via a spectacular Bog road with wonderful views of the mountains. The road is interspersed with many beaches, including one of the loveliest in Ireland at Dogs Bay. Roundstone is a pretty fishing village and a great place to take some refreshments. A must do hillier option is the Sky road with its great views and descent back to Clifden.

Day 6

Clifden to Galway (80km/680m)

Cycle out of Clifden along a beautiful waterside roads crossing extensive wild peat bogs against a backdrop of the Twelve Benns Mountains. As you reach close to Rosaveel the route will take a turn in land ono a spectacular road. This is a wild and remote place with wonderful views back to the sea and Connemara wild ponies. There is then a lovely descent into the attractive town of Oughterard. You then take a short transfer to avoid the busy roads into the centre of Galway for the final night.

  • Six nights accommodation with full Irish breakfast
  • GPS Route maps and details
  • Luggage transfer each day
  • Transfer from Galway to Headford & from Oughterard to Galway
  • 24 hour service hotline

Not included:
Bike rental ( see our price page for more details )

No Details Found

Tab content goes here

2024:  6 NIGHT SPORTIVE TOUR (SELF GUIDED)
€ 950.00 per person sharing off-peak
€ 1000.00 per person sharing in July & August
€ 295.00 single room supplement (if travelling with others)

Note that bike hire is separated out of the tour price
€110.00                 Cannondale Road Bike
€250.00                 E-bike

Self Guided Tour Information

Self guided tour is available from July to October and can start any day of the week.
Private group tours with a guide and back up support van are available on request

Travel details coming soon!

Galway

Your first & last night in Galway is typically spent in the coastal area between Spanish Arch in the city centre and Salthill,   image of one of our guesthouses to the left
You can upgrade to a hotel in the city centre,  for example the Hardiman Hotel ( image to the right )

Galway image 1Galway image 1

Westport

Typically you stay in guesthouses in the harbour area of the town,  Boffin Lodge ( image the left ) is one of our guesthouses
You can upgrade and stay in the town centre,   for example Wyatts Hotel ( image on the right )

Westport image 1Westport image 1

Leenane

In Leenane we stay in the beautifully located Leenane Hotel.  
On arrival you can relax in the beer garden overlooking Killary Harbour

Leenane image 1

Clifden

Your two night stay in Clifden is typically spent in the wonderful Foyles Hotel,  located in the heart of this bustling town

Clifden image 1Clifden image 1

Connemara-Sportive-self-guided-2024

Why not check out our other Connemara tours where the distances a lower
Connemara Galway Mayo self guided 2024
Connemara Best West Self Guided 2024

Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available

Book now

Booking Form

Primary Contact Details.

Section Divider

Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

Section Divider (copy)

Other members of your group if applicable.

Please indicate below how many people are in your group including yourself.

Second person details

Third person details

Fourth person details

Fifth person details

 

Sixth person details

 

Seventh person details

 

Eighth person details

 

Ninth person details

 

Tenth person details

 

Section Divider (copy) (copy)

Acommodation

For single travellers, we organise accommodation on a twin sharing basis. Please note it may not be possible on all our tours and a single supplement will be applied.

Section Divider (copy) (copy) (copy)

Other Information

Section Divider (copy) (copy) (copy) (copy)

Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €250.00 deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The Balance payment is required two month prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The balancing payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

Hide Terms and Conditions

Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.