Highlands of Donegal

Donegal is one of the undiscovered gems of Ireland. There is a wonderful mix of coastal cycling followed by 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.

Note: This tour is also available as an Self-led tour, starting any day except Saturday.

What Your Guided Cycle Includes:
- Seven nights accommodation with full Irish breakfast
- 21 speed touring bike with a pannier bag
- Route maps and details
- Luggage transfer each day
- Support van and tour guide

DAY 1 (Saturday) Arrival in Donegal
Meeting with the guide at 6.30pm in the bar of The Abbey Hotel in the centre of Donegal town. After an introductory talk, an evening meal is organised in the hotel bar while your luggage is being transferred to our central guesthouse accommodation in Donegal that night. There is a chance later on this evening to meet again in a local pub to hear some music.

DAY 2 (Sunday) Donegal to Glencolumbkille (61.5 km)
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 just outside the village of Carrick. After lunch we cycle up to a viewing point of the spectacular Slieve League Cliffs, the highest marine based cliffs in Europe. In the afternoon we head to our night stop in the village of Glencolumbkille passing freshly cut peat drying in the surrounding bogs.

DAY 3 (Monday) Glencolumbkille to Dungloe (60 km)
Today we head up into wild highland country along quiet backroads 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 wonderful 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 we continue along a quiet bog road before heading to the coastal town of Dungloe where again we stay in local guesthouses.

DAY 4 (Tuesday) Dungloe to Dunfanaghy (63 km)
We continue through a rolling landscape through quiet sleepy villages and stop in Leo's pub where Enya and Clannad first sang. Later we cycle toward the spectacular Mount Errigal and stop for lunch at the base of this mountain. In the afternoon we cycle up to a wonderful 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 this afternoon.

DAY 5 (Wednesday) Rest Day at Dunfanaghy
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.

DAY 6 (Thursday) Dunfanaghy to Millford (44 km)
The morning’s cycle takes you through isolated highland country roads with a worthwhile detour to Doe Castle. We 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 wend our way down to our evenings accommodation in the town of Millford.

DAY 7 (Friday) Millford to Rathmullan/Ramelton (70 km)
Today we cycle the beautiful and remote Fanad Pennisula stopping for lunch in Port Salon. We 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 to Rathmelton where our coach will then transfer you back to Donegal town for a farewell night on the town together before heading our separate ways the following morning.

Tour Highlights:
- Slieve League Cliffs
- Glenveagh National Park

Group Tour Dates:
July 16