day 1: Derry to Letterkenny

Meet at Derry (Londonderry) airport at 9am. After a tour of the city you will be transferred by bus to Letterkenny, Donegal's principal town and the ideal location to start our cycling tour. After some mellow terrain to warm up, we start climbing first through the Aghla Mountains and then through the Blue Stack Mountains as we make our way to Ardara. This heritage town is famous for its knitwear and tweed. A fair is held every June where you can see its displays of traditional crafts.

Accommodation: Bed and Breakfast
Things to see: Donegal county museum, Historic walled city of Derry.
Cycling distance: 28 miles 45 km.

day 2: Glencolumbcille to Ardara

We begin with a ride over the dramatic Glengash Pass rising to 900ft through a wild and deserted landscape. After that the road winds down through a gentle valley to Glencolumbcille. The area has played host to many famous historical figures such as Saint Columba (Colm Cille) after whom the area is named. We return to Ardara passing Maghera, where we can explore the caves and its attractive beach before returning to our guest house.

Accommodation: B&B, Ardara
Things to see and do: Glengash Pass, rising to 900ft through a wild and deserted landscape. Maghera and its attractive beach with caves are well worth a visit.
Cycling distance: 42 miles 67 km

day 3: Ardara to Bunbeg

We head north to Bunbeg first inland then along the coast road of the beautiful and rugged Crohy Head Peninsula. Here we get an introduction to the wild grandeur of the coastline. After lunch in Dungloe we head inland to an area with vast expanses of rock strewn land, intersected by streams and dotted with lakes known as the Rosses. We spend the night at Bunbeg house which is beautifully situated overlooking Bunbeg harbour.

Accommodation: Bunbeg guest house Bunbeg.
Things to see: Gaeltacht area. Crohy Head Peninsula. Traditional Irish music at a local pub.
Cycling distance: 45 miles 72 km

day 4: Bunbeg to Dunfanaghy

After leaving lovely Bunbeg House we head inland towards Glenveagh National Park then cycling through back roads around Mount Errigal, Donegal's highest peak, before arriving at Gertie McKinley's bed and breakfast at Dunfanaghy. This beautiful spot has views of vast sandy stretches of unspoilt beach. The appeal of Dunfanaghy lies in its startling natural beauty, best experienced by cycling around the peninsula to Horn Head, this is one of Irelands most scenic headlands.

Accommodation: B&B. Dunfanaghy
Things to see: Glenveagh National Park. Mount Errigal
Horn Head peninsula.
Cycling distance: 45 miles 72 km.

day 5: Dunfanaghy

Dunfanaghy is an ideal base for touring Horn Head and its wild coastal scenery. This is the only place in Ireland where the corncrake can be heard in its natural habitat. Another option is to visit Dunfanaghy workhouse (the famine centre) originally built in 1845 now restored as a small heritage centre. It remembers the terrible 19th century famine, which ravaged Ireland. There is also the usual quota of pubs with lively music at night for entertainment.

Accommodation: B&B. Dunfanaghy
Things to see and do: Visit Dunfanaghy workhouse. Horse ridding, bird watching, sea-angling.

day 6 : Dunfanaghy to Rathmelton

Our last full days cycling as we head east onto the Rosesguill Peninsula passing Doe Castle, the original fortress of the McSwyneys. We then cycle up over the Loughsalt Mountains, a wild and deserted landscape. This is country as rugged and remote as anything you'll find in the north west providing perfect terrain for the adventure cyclist. Finally arriving in the picturesque town of Rathmelton.

Accommodation: Crammond House
Things to see and do: Doe Castle. Glen. Tullyaughnish Church.
Cycling distance: 52 miles 83 km.

day 7: Rathmelton to Derry

Following an early breakfast we take the short ferry crossing across Lough Swilly to Buncrana, on the Inishwen Peninsula. This is one of the most scenic parts of Ireland, with its isolated highland country roads and breathtaking mountainous scenery particularly at Malin Head, the most northerly point in Ireland. We finish the trip with a short transfer back to Derry where we will pack the bikes up for our return home.

Cycling distance...35 miles 60 km