Day 1 – Westport.
Welcome to Westport! Once you have dropped your bags in to your guesthouse, take the opportunity to explore this vibrant town in the west of Ireland.
Day 2 – Westport to Foxford. 36 miles/58km.
Leaving the town on the Castlebar road, after a mile we turn onto the Western Way walking route. The route takes us along quiet backroads passing by lakes and bogland to our lunch stop After lunch there is some nice lakeside cycling around Lough Conn and then onto Lough Cullin, which brings us to our Hotel in Foxford.
Day 3 – Foxford to Ballycastle. 30 miles/38km.
We continue by the shores of Lough Conn to the historical village of Killala where the French landed in 1798 spreading the French revolution to Irish revolutionaries.
Day 4 – Ballycastle to Belmullet. 42 miles/68km.
Heading West on the coast road with wonderful views looking out over the Atlantic, we come to Ceide Fields site of an ancient 5000-year-old cattle field system. It is the largest stone age site in Europe and there is an excellent interpretive centre here, which outlines the history of the site. Continuing on from the centre there is a dramatic cycle across open bogland with more wonderful coastal views all the way to the town of Belmullet.
Day 5 – Belmullet to Achill. 45 miles/72km.
There are two main options for the day, one of which is to cycle out on the isolated peninsula beyond Belmullet and take a fishing boat from Blacksod Point across the Bay to Doogort on Achill Island. From here it is a short cycle to the village of Keel where we spend the next two nights. The other equally attractive option is to cycle around the Atlantic Coast through a wild barren landscape , past freshly cut fields of peat, to the village of Mulranney and from there cycle onto Achill Island.
Day 6 – Rest day in Achill.
There are several dramatic cycling routes around Achill the most impressive being the Atlantic Drive, with its wonderful coastal views and beautiful landscape.. You can also head to Keem bay for a swim on its white sandy beach . For those feeling energetic you could climb to the top of the nearby cliffs some of the highest in Europe, where you are rewarded with the most breathtaking views of the week.
Day 7 – Greenway Cycle – Achill to Westport. 40miles/60km.
Leaving the Island via the bridge at Achill sound, we continue along the Clew Bay coast road and visit a 16th Century Tower House, one of the chain of forts built by Grainnuaile, a female pirate who controlled this whole region. We then visit a small but beautifully situated early Christian monastic site, before heading to Newport for lunch. In the afternoon we return to Westport for a final night on the town together.
Day 8 – Departure Day
After a final breakfast you start your journey back home.
Mileage information
Day 2 – 36 miles / 58 kms
Day 3 – 30 miles / 38 kms
Day 4 – 42 miles / 68 kms
Day 5 – 45 miles / 72kms
Day 6
Day 7 – 34 miles / 43.5 kms
