Dublin/Wicklow

Nestling between the sea and mountains, Dublin has an unrivalled setting, yet few actually get to see it! With some gentle cycling we explore the genteel Southside coast and the foothills of the Dublin Mountains. We then head into the haunting beauty of the Wicklow Mountains where the bustle of a capitol city will seem a million miles away. The roads are all tarmaced and the route is designed to ensure that you spend most of the cycle on quiet back roads. 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 tour.

DAY 1 - Arrival
You will be spending your first night in Dublin. Once you have checked into your accommodation, you can then spend the rest of the day exploring the many sights and sounds that have made Dublin such a lively and popular destination.

DAY 2 - Dublin to Enniskerry (30 km / 18 miles)
We will arrange for you to be brought to our bike shop in the South Side of the city where we will fit you out with your bikes and route details. You begin the day in a leisurely fashion with a cycle along cycle paths and quiet roads to the coastal towns of Dun Laoghaire and the charming village of Dalkey, with its many famous residents where we can stop for lunch. You continue along the scenic Vico Road with spectacular views across Killiney Bay. You then head inland cycling along green fields to the village of Enniskerry where you overnight. A transfer can be arranged this evening to the famous Johnnie Foxes Pub, the highest pub in Ireland. Here you can enjoy a uniquely traditional Irish night with good food and Guinness, along with entertainment from local musicians.

DAY 3 - Enniskerry to Glendalough (48 km / 30 miles)
In the morning you have the chance to visit the beautiful Powerscourt Gardens before heading over the stunning Sally Gap Road all the way to Roundwood for lunch. After lunch, you head via Lough Dan into the village of Laragh for the night. Laragh is located beside the monastic village of Glendalough with its ruined abbey and distinctive round tower.

DAY 4 - Rest Day in Glendalough
Today there is the opportunity to relax in your tranquil surroundings in Laragh/Glendalough and walk one of the numerous signed ways around the surrounding lakes. For more information, you can check out Glendalough Visitors Centre.

DAY 5 - Glendalough to Avoca (46 km / 29 miles)
We head over the mountains to Glenmalure and then the village of Aughrim for lunch. Our cycle takes us alongside babbling brooks on quiet country roads all the way to "Avondale House and Gardens", once home to one of Ireland's most famous leader, Charles Stewart Parnell. Our final destination is the village of Avoca where you spend the night (UK customers may recognize the village as it was the setting for the BBC drama “Ballykissangel”, which for the Americans among you was where the career of Colin Farrell started!)

DAY 6 - Avoca to Wicklow (50 km / 31 miles)
We meander along quiet backroads towards the coast and the golden beach of Brittas Bay. After an obligatory dip in the water you can continue on refreshed to the town of Wicklow where you will be spending the night.

DAY 7 - Wicklow to Dublin
Your last day on the bike will take you inland again back towards the village of Roundwood for lunch. You can then take a different route along beautiful country roads to the village of Enniskerry where we will meet you and transfer you back into Dublin City for a final night on the tour.

Tour Highlights:
- Dublin City
- Glendalough
- Wicklow Mountains
- Brittas Bay