Difficulty Rating : 5 Start: CORK CITY Finish: KINSALE/CORK CITY Terrain: Gentle undulating terrain with rolling hills. Daily Average: 45-72km Weekly Average: 305km Tour Type: Self Guided,Group Teaser: A wonderful tour that hugs the coastline all along West Cork. Our starting point is Cork City on the banks for the River Lee
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A wonderful tour that hugs the coastline all along West Cork. Our starting point is Cork City on the banks for the River Lee which provides our inspiration as we begin our journey following backroads along its course to the wonderful glacial lake and hermitage retreat of Gougane Barra.

The fresh salty air of the Atlantic Ocean is our next inspiration as we sweep down towards Bantry Bay and take in the wonderfully remote and unspoilt charms of the Sheep's Head Peninsula. We hug the coastline for the rest of the week takin in the charming villages of Baltimore, Union Hall and Glandore, with the nearby Neolithic stone circle of Drombeg.

The towns of Clonakilty and Kinsale await where the brightly coloured villages compete with each other for your attention, all this connected by sweet scented fushia-lined backroads. The set departure date tours finish up in Kinsale, whereas the self guided tour heads back to Cork city for the last night.

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Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival in Cork

We recommend that you take a taxi from the station or airport and check into the guesthouse as soon as you arrive so that you are then free to explore the city. Cork is a very lively town with plenty of music and entertainment and all the major points of interest are within walking distance.

Day 2

Cork ~ Gougane Barra (67 kms)

After fitting you onto your bicycles, you head out by the banks of the Lee and travel along quiet back roads to a lunch stop in the market town of Macroom. In the afternoon you continue up the Lee Valley through rolling countryside to the wonderfully peaceful Lakeside retreat of Gougane Barra, the source of the River Lee and Ireland’s first National Park.

Day 3

Gougane Barra ~ Ahakista(43 kms)

You cycle down to the coast past fields of grazing cattle and sheep to the bustling coastal town of Bantry where you can stop for lunch. In the afternoon you head out to the beautiful Sheep’s Head Peninsula and cycle along quiet coastal roads with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Day 4

Ahakista ~ Baltimore (63 kms)

In the morning you cycle along the coast before heading inland through a gap in the mountains back to the coast once again and the village of Schull. You can have lunch in this bustling attractive seaside village. From there you pedal along a warren of backroads to the small fishing village of Baltimore where you will spend the next two nights.

Day 5

Rest day in Baltimore

The day can be spent in rest and relaxation or you can take part in a variety of activities including a visit to Sherkin Island with its stunning views looking back at West Cork. You can go horse riding or hike through the beautiful forest that overlooks the unique Lough Ine, the only saltwater lake in North Western Europe.

Day 6

Baltimore ~ Clonakilty (62.5 kms)

In the morning you cycle along quiet back roads to the peaceful Lough Ine and then follow the coast to the village of Glandore where you can have lunch overlooking the beautiful Glandore Harbour with its two islands, Adam and Eve. In the afternoon you can visit a 3,000-year-old stone circle, one of the best examples of its kind in the country, before arriving in the bustling town of Clonakilty.

Day 7

Clonakilty ~ Kinsale/Cork (62 kms)

Following the coast to the village of Timoleague you can visit a 15th Century Franciscan Friary. After lunch, you continue to the historic town of Kinsale, site of the Battle of Kinsale in 1601. Kinsale is a very colourful cosmopolitan town with a wide range of excellent craft shops. The group tour finishes up in this wonderful town while the self guided tours continue back to Cork City.

  • 7 nights bed & breakfast accommodation
    ( mix of small hotels and guesthouses )
  • 1 evening meal (in Gougane Barra)
  • Guide in a support van (on group tour only)
  • Luggage transfer
  • Route details and maps
  • 24 hour service hotline
  • GPS tracks available (on request)


In 2023 Bike Rental is not included in the basic tour price.
All rentals come with a pannier, lock, helmet and repair equipment

On a self guided tour we will organize your bike hire, the accommodation and the luggage transfer. Your route details will be waiting for you in your first night’s accommodation. In the route details you will also find recommendations for lunch stops and places to have dinner. You will set off by yourself and the luggage will be transferred to the next stop by our local taxi transfers. And should there be a day you won’t be able to cycle, it is possible to arrange a lift with the luggage transfer.

You can also contact us in the office (info@cyclingsafaris.com) or on our emergency number if you need assistance.

You can start the cycling tour on any day that suits you.

If you prefer to cycle with a support van and/or guide we are happy to send you a customized quote for this.

On a self guided tour it is possible to add extra days or shorten the trip if you wish to or we can customize the route for you.

Guide in a support van / no cycling guide

We offer set departure dates for group tour bookings. If we reach a minimum of 8 people on the set departure tour date the tour will be run with a guide in a support van.

The guide will meet you each morning to give you a short briefing for the day ahead. Then you can set off in small groups or individually. Each person has their own route details. Your guide will then collect the luggage and deliver the bags to the next night's accommodation before catching up with the group again.
Although the guide will not be cycling with you, he or she will be driving the support van and will make a sweep to ensure that all is well, and offer lifts to those who want a break.
This provides a sense of freedom in that you can travel at your own pace in the security that the guide is there for you in the event that you might need them. The guide will recommend places to eat and try to find out where the best entertainment is each night.
Most importantly, the guide sets the right tone to make you feel welcome to the country and to help you in whatever way possible so that each day you are free to leave your worries behind.

If we don’t reach the minimum of 8 bookings, this tour will go ahead as self guided version with luggage transfers via our local taxi companies. There might be others cycling the same route, but there won’t be a guide in a support van. However, you can always contact us in the office to get assistance and if you need a lift we can organize this for you.

Bike rental is not included in the basic tour price

You can rent a GIANT CITY bicycles for our tours
Bikes come in different sizes and in gents and ladies style frames.
It is very important you give us your height on booking so that we can allocate the correct bike to you.

You can also rent an E-Bike
We are using EASE-E+ 2 ELECTRIC BIKE or similar please click here for more details.
We offer small and medium-sized e-bikes. Recommended body heights for our e-bikes range from 160cm - 183 cm.

ooking at a scale from 1 - 10 (1 = easiest, 10 = hardest) we are giving this tour 5 points.

A cycle that takes in the unique beauty of Gougane Barra before heading down to the sea at Bantry Bay. A wonderful tour that hugs the coastline all along West Cork. Gentle, undulating terrain with rolling hills

Other than young children, whom we discourage from attending, people of all ages and abilities come on the tours, so do not worry if you are not super-fit. You have all day to cover the recommended route, and while Irish roads rarely follow a straight line, there are few really high climbs.

We offer Garmin files on request, but you need to bring your own device.

We would seriously recommend that you bring padded cycling shorts and / or a gel saddle cover that will definitely make your day’s cycling more comfortable. Cycling gloves are also a good investment. You can also bring your own saddle which we should be able to attach to our bikes.
We provide 40l pannier bags (waterproof) in which you can keep your day-to-day items. Otherwise you may prefer to use a daypack and there are back carriers on each bike for this purpose.
We do not provide rain gear so be sure to bring your own light weight waterproofs.
Don’t forget sun cream, sunglasses, sun hat as well as a bathing suit for that refreshing dip in the Atlantic Ocean.
Our rental bikes don’t have lights – no problem on the long summer evenings, but if you are travelling in May or September, please bring your own light or high-visibility vest.
Finally if you wish to use toe clips please bring your own pedals with toe clips which we can attach to our bikes (the pedals on our bikes do not accommodate toe clips)

To confirm you onto our tour, we require a deposit of 250 euro per person.
After your initial booking request, we will be in touch with payment details.

The remaining balance for the cycling tour will be due 60 days prior tour start.

On this tour you will be staying in Cork, Gougane Barra, Ahakista, Baltimore, Clonakility & Kinsale (on group tour only).

Please click here to see a sample list of the accommdoation we are using on this tour.

There are options for upgrade in Cork, Conaklity & Kinsale.

Should you 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 (250 euro per person)
60-14 days before departure – 50%
< 14 days before departure – 100%

To claim the balance back, you need to send the details on to your travel insurance who should reimburse you. Please make sure that your travel insurance covers the costs for unforeseen cancellation before signing up.

We had an absolutely wonderful time on our cycling tour. I would say it was a dream, but it was better than a dream. Honestly, it was the best trip of my life so far, and I've been raving about Cycling Safaris to everyone back home. The hotels were wonderful, the suggested restaurants were great, and the directions made it so easy to be self-guided.
Thanks for all of your help along the way. From my first inquiry to the day we landed back home, the Cycling Safaris staff was helpful, knowledgeable and accommodating. The roads were well-chosen and the scenery was breathtaking. I also loved having the options to do a longer route or shorter route (the longer routes were always worth the trip!). The equipment never malfunctioned, and all-around I cannot say enough positive things about your company.

Christine Webb (West Cork Coastline 2017)

We just returned from 14-21 July guided tour West Cork Coastline and want to let you know we had a wonderful time with our family. Everything was excellent.

Norbert van den Bos (West Cork Coast group tour 2013)

Even without the splendid scenery, this would be a very enjoyable and pleasant tour. The area is so remote and peaceful and the traffic so light, I felt like I was on a dedicated cycling path for much of the ride.

Bob Hurley (Cork Coastline self led 2015)

Our holiday was a remarkable adventure that ranks amongst our best cycle tours we have experienced! 8 cycling days that raised the bar and provided splendid scenery, opportunities to meet the Irish and enjoy the local culinary fare. Irish Cycling Safaris is an excellent touring company that stands by its customers.
We has a wonderful experience!

Paul Gardiner (West Cork Coastline custom self led 2016)

  • €1125.00 per person sharing off peak
  • €  50.00 per person high season supplement July & August
  • €350.00 single occupancy (if travelling with others)
  • €220.00 solo traveler / an additional charge if travelling on your own to cover the costs of the transfers

Note bike hire is separated out of the tour price

Not included:

€150.00                         24 speed touring bike with water bottle cage, lock, helmet and a small pannier bag

€250.00                         Electric - bike

How to get to Cork City:

You can fly direct into Cork airport.  It is also possible to fly to either Dublin airport or Shannon airport. 

From Cork Airport
From Cork Airport, you can take the 226 to Parnell Place Bus Station, the main bus station for Cork city.
For more bus options you can visit the Bus Eireann website 

From Shannon airport:
There is a bus service to Cork city available (Check BusEireann for info or GetThere.ie)
Alternatively you can take a bus just as far as Limerick city ( approx 30 mins ) and take a train from here to Cork ( IrishRail )

From Dublin airport:
You can take a bus direct from the Dublin airport to Cork city available (Check AirCoach for more info)
Alternatively take the Airlink shuttle service into Dublin city and transfer to get a direct train to Cork. 
(Train takes approx 2hrs 40mins. Details on IrishRail )  

As always please contact us in the office for more information (info@cyclingsafaris.com).

CORK

Gaish House This B&B is set in a townhouse a short walk away from the city centre. This house has a real feel of class plus a warm welcome really sets this place apart. With a relaxing atmosphere it’s the perfect place to start your tour with a good night’s rest
Gaish House is also famous for its award winning breakfast!

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GOUGANE BARRA

Gougane Barra is Hidden in a glaciated valley of the Cork Mountains the Gougane Barra hotel sits on the shore the Lough overlooking St Finbarr’s Oratory. The warm and welcoming atmosphere is one achieved by the family who have been running the hotel for 5 generations. Also boasting one of the best restaurants in Ireland it really makes this an unforgettable place to stay

GOUGANE BARRA image 1GOUGANE BARRA image 1

AHAKISTA / KILCROHANE

BridgevieHouse , nestled in the village of Kilcrohane,  is a family run B&B boasts a lovely garden along with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. They also offer home cooked food !

AHAKISTA / KILCROHANE image 1AHAKISTA / KILCROHANE image 1

BALTIMORE

Beadette O'Driscoll welcomes you to the Beacon Shore Guesthouse, a friendly family-run guest house right in the heart of Baltimore.

BALTIMORE image 1BALTIMORE image 1

CLONAKILTY

O'Donovan's Hotel or "Óstán Uí Dhonnabháin" is a sixth generation family run hotel in the heart of Clonakilty.

Macliam Lodge is a well appointed, luxury bed and breakfast, just a 5 minute walk from Clonakilty town centre.

CLONAKILTY   image 1CLONAKILTY   image 1

KINSALE

We stay the The Anchorage  B&B. Family run and overlooking the bay its lovely place to spend a night 

Tieey's Guesthouse in the centre of the town with are warm and friendly atmosphere. 

KINSALE  image 1KINSALE  image 1

Tour Date Options

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

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Booking Form

Primary Contact Details.

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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

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Other members of your group if applicable.

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

Second person details

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Fifth person details

 

Sixth person details

 

Seventh person details

 

Eighth person details

 

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Tenth person details

 

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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.

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Other Information

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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.

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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.