Cycle the Best of the Wild Atlantic Way

This cycling tour is suitable for most regular cyclists. You’ll spend much of the day in the saddle and you should be experienced with this to enjoy your holiday.

Before your tour, we recommend cycling a couple of consecutive days, so you get used to riding back-to-back days. Be sure to take into account the daily distances and elevation changes outlined in your itinerary.

The daily routes follow a combination of small country lanes and coastal roads.

You will be cycling along sections of the Wild Atlantic Way which may feel a little busier near towns and villages as it is a popular route for all modes of transport. There are also some narrow roads and parts where traffic may go a little faster. Most road users are respectful of cyclists and will give you plenty of room when passing, we recommend being mindful of this when cycling.

Between Leenane and Westport the route passes through Glenamurra which is remote in places with little to no cell phone signal depending on your network provider. Please be aware of this, especially when traveling solo.

This tour is graded MODERATE. Within the tour, individual days may vary in difficulty, with some rides a little tougher or a little easier than the overall grade suggests.

Accommodation on this route ranges from comfortable, family-run B&Bs and guesthouses through to boutique hotels and 4- and 5-star castle hotels and country lodges, depending on which style of tour you choose. Whichever style you pick, you'll be centrally located in the heart of traditional Irish towns and villages.

Depending on the time of year you're travelling, you may occasionally be accommodated in a hotel or inn of equal standard in the surrounding area instead of the property listed in your itinerary. Hotels named in the day-by-day itinerary are subject to availability, and early booking is recommended if you're travelling between June and September, which is a popular time of year on this route.

Solo cyclists are welcome on the standard Cycle the Best of the Wild Atlantic Way tour, with a supplement to cover costs that aren't shared, and single rooms are available on request for a supplement. If you choose the In Style tour, please note it isn't currently available to solo cyclists.

All breakfasts are included and usually include fresh fruit, juices, bread, pastries, porridge and muesli, along with a choice of cooked breakfast and a plentiful supply of tea and coffee. Dinner isn't included, but your centrally located accommodation means you're never far from a restaurant or bar. We'll outline suggestions for lunch in your tour notes, and your accommodation may also be able to provide a picnic lunch to take with you on your ride. Let us know about any special dietary requirements and we'll do our best to accommodate them.

This cycling tour typically runs from mid-April to early October, and you can start on any day of the week, subject to availability. Ireland's west coast is busiest over the summer months, so if you're planning to travel between June and August, especially in a group, we recommend booking well in advance.

Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit, with wildflowers in bloom against the Atlantic backdrop. July and August are the busiest months, with accommodation filling up fast, but you're also more likely to catch a local music festival and enjoy long hours of daylight. September offers a quieter experience, with crowds beginning to thin.

Irish weather is unpredictable year-round, so come prepared for anything. Being close to the Atlantic means it can turn wet and windy at any time of year, so check the local forecast before you set off each day and pack a rain jacket.

Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg/44lbs per person.

The routes are partially waymarked and, for the most part, easy to follow.

Navigation is straightforward using our app which has maps, tracks and daily route info. Simply download the information and tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone. Once on the trail you do not need signal for the app to work and follow your progress.

Should you need any assistance, we offer 24/7 telephone support throughout your tour.

Getting to the Start
Galway doesn't have its own airport, but the town is easily reached from Knock Airport or Shannon Airport, both around a 1-hour drive away - if you'd like a private transfer from either airport, just let us know in advance for a quote. A direct bus runs from Knock Airport to Galway (around 1 hour 30 minutes) and from Shannon Airport (around 2 hours). From Dublin, there are hourly train services to Galway (around 2 hours 30 minutes) - check Irish Rail for timetables, prices and tickets. On arrival in Galway on Day 1 of your tour, you'll be transferred to your first hotel in Clifden (around 1 hour 15 minutes) - please let us know your arrival time so we can arrange this. The latest departure time from Galway is 4pm, as you'll need time for your bike fitting that day.

You'll need your standard cycling gear. Bike hire comes with a pannier rack and bag, a pump, lock, a basic repair kit, and handlebar phone. On booking, our Tour Info will give you a complete packing list.

Since you'll have your bike with you, shortening or skipping sections may not be easy. For the best local advice on transport options for cyclists, please consult your accommodation provider or reach out to our local bike partner, where applicable.

Local taxis used for luggage transfers may sometimes be able to help you reach your next overnight stop if you'd rather not cycle, and local buses can occasionally take bikes too, though space isn't guaranteed.

We hire bikes suited to the terrain, including e-bikes for a bit of extra assist, in a range of sizes - just let us know your height when booking so we can get your frame right. If you would like to bring your own bike then, in the majority of cases, this is not a problem – please contact us to talk it through. We encourage all cyclists to wear a helmet, and it is law in many countries across Europe. We recommend bringing your own helmet for hygiene and safety reasons, however on most tours you can hire one.

The following bikes are available for hire:

Hybrid Bike: Trek FX2, lightweight aluminium frame, Shimano drivetrain, puncture-resistant tires.

E-bike: Trek Verve Plus 2, Bosch Active Line motor with a 500Wh long-range battery (approx. 100km), low-step frame, wide puncture-resistant tires.

Gravel Bike: Trek Checkpoint Gravel Bike, aluminium or carbon frame, knobby tires for grip on loose surfaces, drop handlebars.

Tandem: reinforced frame, Shimano drivetrain.

Brand and model may vary depending on availability. The minimum age for e-bike hire is 16.

Please provide the following when booking: your height, for bike sizing, and your head circumference if you'd like to hire a helmet.

Bike hire includes a helmet (we recommend bringing your own), a repair kit, spare tube and pump, a pannier bag and one lock. Hire bikes don't come with a water bottle holder or a phone mount.

Many people choose to hire an e-bike, since the battery-powered assist can help when you need it, though e-bikes are heavier than standard bicycles. Gravel and road bikes are only recommended for experienced cyclists who understand the riding position and have the fitness this style of biking needs.

If you're planning to travel over the summer, aim to book well in advance. Galway and Connemara are extremely popular from June through August, and both accommodation and bike availability can fill up fast.

We highly recommend that you have travel insurance when you book with Macs Adventure. Your policy should cover medical treatment (including repatriation and emergency evacuation by air ambulance or helicopter), injury, death, third-party liability, and trip cancellation