Cycling Tours from Galway: Connemara, the Burren and Westport
Galway is the launch point for Connemara, Burren and Westport tours of six to seven nights. What each one costs, and how hard the riding really is.
Introduction
Almost every cycling tour in the west of Ireland is organised out of Galway City. The hire shops are in the centre, the train from Dublin gets in under three hours, and the routes fan out from there: Connemara to the north-west, the Burren south across the bay, Westport and Clew Bay up the coast. Five tours are covered below, all starting and finishing in Galway, with distances, prices, bikes and what is included set out for each.
1. Connemara Express: 7-Night Self-Guided Adventure
Overview
- Distance: 35-60 km per day (average 40 km)
- Terrain: Gentle to moderate gradients, a mix of coastal roads, bog tracks and mountain passes.
- Highlights: Ashford Castle, Cong Abbey, Kylemore Abbey, Doo Lough valley, Skye Road loop, Gaeltacht villages, Aran Islands day-trip.
Why It Stands Out
Average days of around 40 km make this comfortably paced for most touring cyclists, though the mountain passes are real climbs and the bog roads can be slow. The route threads through Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) communities. The optional Skye Road loop near Clifden is worth the extra distance for the cliff-top section.
Practical Details
| Item | Info |
|---|---|
| Start/Finish | Galway City (bike pick-up & drop-off) |
| Accommodation | Hand-picked B&Bs with en-suite facilities and breakfast |
| Bike | Trek FX2 hybrid touring bike (incl. mudguards, rack, lock). Upgrades to Trek 520 steel touring or Trek electric (Bosch) available. |
| Pricing (2025) | €1,400 per person (April-Oct) / €1,500 (July-Aug). Single supplement €390, solo supplement €700. |
| Best Time | Late April-early October, mild weather, longer daylight. |
| What’s Included | Bike, panniers, daily route guide (digital app + optional paper maps), ferry tickets to Aran Islands, luggage transfers, breakfast. |
Insider Tip
Book a late-May start to enjoy the Connemara “wildflower” season when the bogs burst into pink and purple heather, perfect for photos on the Doo Lough loop.
2. Burren Way: 7-Night Self-Guided Tour
Overview
- Distance: ~40 km per day (flexible)
- Terrain: Easy-moderate; mostly quiet back-roads on limestone pavement.
- Highlights: Burren National Park, Poulnabrone Dolmen (2,500 BC), Cliffs of Moher, Doolin traditional music pubs, Aran Islands, Corcomroe Abbey, Burren Perfumery.
Why It Stands Out
The Burren is bare limestone pavement, thin soil and stone forts, with rare alpine-type plants growing in the cracks. The back-roads are quiet and the gradients easy, which makes this the least demanding of the tours here. The Burren Perfumery is a reasonable mid-ride stop, and Doolin is where the music is.
Practical Details
| Item | Info |
|---|---|
| Start/Finish | Galway City |
| Accommodation | B&Bs in Kinvara, Doolin, Ballyvaughan, all within walking distance of pubs and eateries |
| Bike | Same fleet as Connemara; electric upgrade recommended for the longer coastal stretches |
| Pricing (2025) | €1,350 per person (April-Oct) / €1,400 (July-Aug). Same supplement rates as Connemara. |
| Best Time | May-September; early summer brings wildflowers, late summer offers longer daylight for the Cliffs of Moher walk. |
| What’s Included | Bike, panniers, route app, ferry tickets (optional Aran Islands day-trip not included), breakfast, transfers. |
Insider Tip
If you love geology, ask your B&B host for a guided walk of the “Pale Blue Dot”, a short trail that explains the Burren’s unique limestone formation and its micro-climates.
3. Westport Way: 6-Night Guided Group Tour
Overview
- Distance: 30-45 km per day (average 35 km)
- Terrain: Mostly gentle coastal roads, a few short climbs into the Moycullen hills.
- Highlights: Westport town, Croagh Patrick pilgrimage route (optional), Clew Bay islands, historic Moycullen Castle, music scene.
Why It Stands Out
The Westport Way blends guided expertise with the freedom of a small group (max 12 riders). The tour’s knowledgeable guide shares stories of Croagh Patrick’s pilgrimage history, recommends the best local eateries, and handles all logistics, making it ideal for first-time visitors.
Practical Details
| Item | Info |
|---|---|
| Start/Finish | Galway City (coach transfer to Westport on Day 1, return on final day) |
| Accommodation | Boutique hotels in Westport and countryside B&Bs |
| Bike | Trek 520 touring bike (standard), optional e-bike upgrade |
| Pricing (2025) | €1,650 per person (includes guide, coach transfers, meals, bike hire) |
| Best Time | June-August for festivals; May & September for quieter roads |
| What’s Included | Guided rides, accommodation, meals (breakfast + select lunches), bike hire, luggage transport, guidebook. |
Insider Tip
Plan to stay an extra night in Westport after the tour ends, the town’s Saturday night trad session at Matt Molloy’s is legendary.
4. Clew Bay & Inishbofin 7-Night Luxury Cycling Tour
Overview
- Distance: 30-55 km per day (average 40 km)
- Terrain: Mostly flat coastal roads; some short climbs to Mace Head.
- Highlights: Clew Bay’s 365 islands, Inishbofin island day-trip, Mace Head lighthouse, Ballycroy National Park wildlife, gourmet seafood.
Why It Stands Out
This tour is luxury-focused: premium boutique hotels, a personal concierge, and an optional private ferry to Inishbofin. The riding is undemanding, mostly flat coastal road with a few short climbs to Mace Head.
Practical Details
| Item | Info |
|---|---|
| Start/Finish | Galway City |
| Accommodation | 4-star hotels & boutique inns with spa facilities |
| Bike | Trek 520 steel touring bike (standard) or high-end Trek electric (recommended) |
| Pricing (2025) | €2,200 per person (includes all meals, private ferry, spa access) |
| Best Time | Late May-early September, calm seas for ferry crossings |
| What’s Included | Luxury accommodation, bike, luggage transfers, private ferry, daily guided meals, optional spa treatments. |
Insider Tip
Book a sunset ferry to Inishbofin on Day 4, the island’s cliffs glow pink at dusk, and the quiet evening allows a peaceful bike ride along the shoreline.
5. Custom & Tailor-Made Tours
If none of the above itineraries fit your schedule, mileage preferences, or special interests (e.g., photography, wildlife, culinary focus), West Ireland Cycling offers bespoke tours. You can combine sections of the Connemara and Burren routes, add extra days in Galway for a city-cycling weekend, or integrate a food-and-wine trail through the Connemara oysters and Clare cheese producers.
How to Arrange
- Contact tours@westirelandcycling.com with your desired dates, fitness level, and interests.
- Consultation: a cycling specialist will propose a custom itinerary, bike choice, and accommodation options.
- Quote: personalised pricing (typically 5-10 % higher than standard tours due to bespoke logistics).
6. Practical Essentials for Cycling from Galway
Getting to Galway
- By Air: Shannon Airport (≈1 h 15 min by coach) or Dublin Airport (≈2 h 30 min by coach/train). Both have regular shuttle services to Galway City centre.
- By Train: Irish Rail connects Dublin Heuston to Galway in ~2 h 45 min.
- By Car: M6 motorway from Dublin; ample parking is available at the Bike Hire shop on Shop Street.
Bike Hire in Galway
- West Ireland Cycling (Shop Street, Galway), full range of touring bikes, e-bikes, helmets, panniers, repair kits.
- Pedal Power Galway: city-centre shop offering hybrid and road bikes, plus guided city rides.
- Bike Hire Ireland: budget-friendly options, ideal for day-trippers.
What to Pack
| Item | Reason |
|---|---|
| Waterproof pannier bags | Irish weather can be unpredictable. |
| Quick-dry clothing | Keeps you comfortable on wet roads. |
| Light rain jacket & waterproof shoe covers | Essential for coastal sections. |
| Portable charger & power bank | For GPS apps and e-bike batteries. |
| Basic bike tool kit (multi-tool, spare tube) | Self-sufficiency on remote roads. |
| Reusable water bottle & snacks | Hydration on long climbs. |
Safety & Navigation
- Digital Route App: All tours include a custom app with GPX files, POI notes, and offline maps.
- Road Rules: Ride on the left, wear a helmet (mandatory in Ireland), and obey traffic signals.
- Emergency: Ireland’s emergency number is 112 (or 999). Most B&B hosts have first-aid kits.
Weather Considerations
- Spring (April-May): Temperatures 8-14 °C, occasional rain, great for fewer crowds.
- Summer (June-August): Warmest period (15-20 °C), longer daylight, ideal for longer rides but popular, so book early.
- Autumn (Sept-Oct): Mild, quieter roads, autumn colour, but the days are getting short.
7. Choosing the Right Tour for You
| Rider Profile | Recommended Tour | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner / First-time visitor | Burren Way (self-guided) | Gentle gradients, well-signposted back-roads, cultural villages. |
| Intermediate, loves coastal scenery | Connemara Express | Varied terrain, cliffs, optional Aran Islands day-trip. |
| Group traveler seeking guidance | Westport Way (guided) | Experienced guide, coach transfers, social atmosphere. |
| Luxury seeker | Clew Bay & Inishbofin | Premium accommodation, private ferry, spa options. |
| Custom experience | Tailor-made tour | Flexibility to combine routes, add culinary or wildlife focus. |
Conclusion
Choose on terrain and budget rather than scenery. The Burren is the easiest riding and the cheapest of the week-long tours. Connemara has the most variety and the most climbing. Westport suits anyone who would rather ride in company than navigate. Clew Bay is the comfortable option, at a price to match.
Book summer dates early, and think hard about the electric upgrade if you are not used to riding into an Atlantic headwind day after day. It is the wind, not the hills, that decides how a week out here goes.