Ireland · 6 days
The company runs several self-guided tours. Highlights of Donegal follows the coast and highlands. The Backroads and Beyond combines cycling with hikes. Donegal Coastal Treasures is a gentler route focused on landscapes, history and culture. There is also a bike-and-hike option and a Northern Ireland route along the Ca…
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Ireland · 6 days
The company runs several self-guided tours. Highlights of Donegal follows the coast and highlands. The Backroads and Beyond combines cycling with hikes. Donegal Coastal Treasures is a gentler route focused on landscapes, history and culture. There is also a bike-and-hike option and a Northern Ireland route along the Causeway Coast and Glens of Antrim. One-day e-bike tours around the Sliabh Liag cliffs are available too, and the shop hires out bikes and e-bikes by the day.
On a multi-day tour you arrive in Donegal Town, where Séamus meets you, goes over the maps and GPS, and sets up your bike. Each morning you ride the day's route at your own pace, with stops for views, beaches, pubs and villages. Your luggage is transferred to the next B&B while you ride. At the end of the day you check in, eat breakfast there the next morning, and carry on.
Bikes come with a waterproof saddle bag, a handlebar bag and a phone holder. The GPS app works well but drains phone battery, so bring a power bank. Routes mostly follow small roads, though a few short busier sections are unavoidable. Guests describe the organisation as flexible — one asked to add an extra day to hike Sliabh Liag and the accommodation was arranged without fuss.
Séamus and Nóra have been welcoming visitors since 2010, when they ran their first bike tour in June of that year. They are a local family business, and reviewers consistently mention Séamus going out of his way — driving a group from Glenties to Donegal to catch a bus, picking up cruise passengers from the dock at Killybegs, arranging transport to and from Carrick.
Accommodation is a mix of B&Bs and at least one hotel, depending on the tour. Guests describe the B&Bs as cosy, comfortable and clean, run by friendly people with good breakfasts. If you would rather stay in hotels throughout, that can be arranged — ask when booking.
- B&B accommodation on multi-day tours (a mix of B&Bs and one hotel on some routes) - Breakfast at your accommodation - Luggage transfers between overnight stops - Bike or e-bike hire - Waterproof saddle bag, handlebar bag and phone holder - GPS app and route booklet - Welcome meeting on arrival - Emergency support by phone
- Travel to and from Donegal - Lunches and dinners - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Transport to the tour start and from the end point, unless arranged separately