Connemara Family Adventure

Connemara Family Adventure is a seven-day self-guided cycling holiday designed for families and riders who prefer an unhurried pace. Distances are manageable, routes follow quiet roads, and there's plenty to do off the bike, from sandy beaches to sheepdog and sheep shearing demonstrations.

The tour starts in Oughterard on the shores of Lough Corrib, then crosses the bogs to Rossaveal for the ferry to Inis Mór. Two nights on the island allow time to explore ancient forts, early Christian ruins and natural rock formations such as the Wormhole.

Back on the mainland, the route passes through Irish-speaking villages and along the indented South Connemara coast to Carna, then on to Clifden, the region's main town, with optional loops along the Sky Road and to Roundstone. Accommodation is in family-run guesthouses and small hotels with private bathrooms.

Highlights:

• Dun Aengus, the Seven Churches and the Wormhole on Inis Mór
• Lakeside riding along Lough Corrib
• Roundstone, Dogs Bay and Gurteen Bay beaches
• The Sky Road loop with Atlantic and island views
• Derrygimlagh, site of Marconi's radio station and the Alcock and Brown landing
• Sheepdog and sheep shearing demonstrations

Surface and terrain:
Quiet sealed back roads and coastal roads through bog, moorland, lakes and forest, with some gentle rolling hills. Daily ascent is generally 170 - 350 m. The gravel bike option suits occasional gravel paths.

Likely weather:
Mild, changeable Atlantic conditions, typically 10 - 19°C from April to October, warmest July and August. Showers are possible on any day, with strong coastal winds at times, particularly on the Aran Islands.

Suitable for:
Families and leisurely riders comfortable with 20 - 45 km days on quiet public roads. Rated Easy by the operator. Not suitable for children under 8 unless riding attached to a parent's bike.