Wild Atlantic Cycling

On our Portugal End to End tour you will cycle the length of this wonderful country from North to South mainly on the popular N2 route. The tour starts in Chaves - located in Northern Portugal, next to the shores of Tâmega river and only a few kilometres away from Spain, Chaves is a city that has both a natural beauty and an incomparable historical and cultural legacy. The tour is all on road.

The Portugal End-to-End ACTIVE tour is a moderate tour. Days vary, but generally the route has some climbs of medium difficulty. You will need to ensure you are fit enough to complete the distance and climbing.

It is approximately 75 km and 1,000 meters of climbing per day. The tour is primarily on quiet roads with a small number of joining sections on busier roads. Some cycling in towns and cities is necessary, particularly at the start and end of the day. Roads are generally well surfaced and suitable for road bike tires of 25 mm or more.

Starting in the Jewel of the Balkan Crown’ City of Dubrovnik we head south to the world famous Kotor Bay in Montenegro and onwards to Shkoder, known as the ‘Cycle City’ in Northern Albania. When you arrive you’ll know why! The bells ring here like the bicycles in Beijing! You have a day off and we miss cycling through the bustle of Tirana although you can opt to stop here for a few hours to explore the sights of Albania’s capital city. We stay over in Elbasan and you cycle across the border to the breath-taking beauty of Ohrid in North Macedonia. TWe head east through Bitola and Veles where you spend the night. In the morning it’s a short bus ride to Kochani to cycle over the mountain across the border at Delchevo into Bulgaria. From the University city of Blagoevgrad we then take you to the ski resort of Bansko at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. We breathe out here then head south freewheeling to the beach in Greece with a worthwhile detour to a ‘tour within a tour’ trip round the island of Thassos … from whence we make our last ride east across the Nestos Delta via Komotini and Alexandroupoli into Turkey and down the western side of the Dardanelles Strait ferrying to Cannakale then heading east to Can before taking a bus to bandirma to cross the Sea of Marmara by ferry to Istanbul, the historical bustling ‘gateway to the east’.

Key Points

• The tour starts in Dubrovnik, Croatia and finishes in Istanbul
• The tour is suitable for road bikes (or hybrid)
• Bike rental can not be arranged due to the number of countries we are travelling through
• Your bike will need to be brought with you in a CARDBOARD style disposable box. For a fee (£60) you can opt to have your bike professionally repacked at the end of the tour for onward travels. Your bike will be collected from the hotel where we spend our final night and then delivered to the airport all ready to check on your flight!
• There will be one support van

From glittering San Sebastián with its world-renowned Michelin-starred restaurants and tapas bars to the ancient medieval city of Girona and on to Tossa de Mar on the Costa Brava. Experience “Wild Espana”. A Spain Coast to Coast cycle adventure taking in the Pyrenees Mountains in northern Spain from the wildness of the Atlantic to the blue warm waters of the Mediterranean. Daily averages are approximately 70 km and 1,000 meters of climbing per day. By comparison our Mizen to Malin Ireland End-to-End tour is 87 km and 800 meters over 12 days of cycling. If you fit the profile of our 'Active' cyclist (explore your rider style here), then our unique Spain Coast to Coast cycle tour will be a fabulous experience for you! All the thrills of northern Spain and the Pyrenees mountains in a gentler and more leisurely tour. Cycle high mountain passes one day, lush green valleys the next. Quintessential mountain-top villages, quiet, smooth roads meandering alongside steep river gorges, warm people, wholesome food and cold beer. All with the attentive support and easy-going encouragement of the Wild Atlantic Cycling team.

Suitable for the 'Active' Rider.

The west coast of Ireland is rich in awe-inspiring landscapes, fascinating characters and foot-tapping music. Cycling Ireland End to End from the most southerly point to the most northerly will leave you with rich memories, new friends and a thirst for more!

There is no better way to explore the wild beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way from Mizen Head to Malin Head than from the saddle. The grandeur of the Cork and Kerry mountains. The warmth and joy of a night in a Galway pub. The lunar like landscape of the Burren. The packed mountain ranges dominating the horizon of the Connemara National Park. The giant Sea Loughs of the Inishowen Peninsula. Your end-to-end journey of seven days has a breath-taking finish on the rocky promontory of Malin Head.

Suitable for the 'Avid' Rider.

For a more leisurely ride check out the Mizmal Relaxed tour

The west coast of Ireland is rich in awe-inspiring landscapes, fascinating characters and foot-tapping music. Cycling Ireland End to End from the most southerly point to the most northerly will leave you with rich memories, new friends and a thirst for more! There is no better way to explore the wild beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way than from the saddle. The grandeur of the Cork and Kerry mountains. The warmth and joy of a night in a Galway pub. The lunar like landscape of the Burren. The packed mountain ranges dominating the horizon of the Connemara National Park. The giant Sea Loughs of the Inishowen Peninsula. Your Ireland end-to-end journey of 12 days has a breath-taking finish on the rocky promontory of Malin Head.

Suitable for the 'Active' rider.

For a more challenging ride check out the Mizmal Ireland End to End tour.

Experience “Wild Espana”. A journey through the Pyrenees Mountains in northern Spain. Our unique Spain Coast to Coast takes you from the wildness of the Atlantic to the blue warm waters of the Mediterranean. A journey with new colours at every turn. Cycle high mountain passes one day, lush green valleys the next. Quintessential mountain-top villages rising out of nowhere on the road ahead. Lose yourself as you pedal mile upon mile of quiet, smooth roads meandering alongside steep river gorges, decked with colourful flora. On the Spain Coast to Coast you will enjoy warm people, wholesome food and cold beer. Each stopover different from the last. Glittering San Sebastián with its world-renowned Michelin-starred restaurants and tapas bars. Buzzing Pamplona - a meeting point for walkers enjoying the Camino de Santiago. The cosmopolitan city of Jaca. The ancient medieval city of Girona. A mecca for discerning cyclists. The unforgettable landscape of the finish - the spectacular Cap de Creus. Here you can celebrate your achievement with an authentic Spanish meal and a cold beer.

Suitable for the 'Avid' Rider.

Scotland is full of surprises and the Northcoast 500 will send you home with a host of memories that surpass your expectations of this rugged land. Our route largely follows the Scottish Tourist Board 500 mile route (but it’s better ;) and takes in some tough climbs and beautiful mountain passes. This tour is designed with the ‘avid’ rider in mind (please see rider types) as it has some testing terrain and the added uncertainty of changeable weather conditions too! We recommend you come prepared.

The NC 500 cycle tour is a challenging tour with some longer days in the saddle. Days vary, but generally the route has some climbs of medium difficulty and a few which are challenging such as the well-known climb of Bealach na Bà on day 2. A winding single track road through the mountains of the Applecross peninsula.

You will most likely need to train for the event and ensure you are fit enough to complete the distance and climbing.

Highlights

• Muir of Ord Whisky distillery (we do pass many others but we have incorporated ‘tasting time’ here into Day One)
• The infamous climb up Beelach Na Ba to Applecross
• Lochinver Larder - The World Famous Scottish Pie Shop
• The Lochinver Pass
• Smoo Cave
• Sandside Bay and the nearby world famous beaches of Achmelvich, Clachtoll, Oldshoremore and Sandwood Bay
• Loch Loyal
• EU funded Timber Haulage Route from Thurso
• The ‘Falls of Shin’ at Lairg
• Johnny Foxes Bar in Inverness (We start and end here. You may remember the start)

The Croatian Islands are a truly pleasurable cycling experience. Without busy mainland traffic these beautifully maintained tarmac roads are a joy to ride with climbs that open up at every corner with a glorious vista. The clear water in all of the bays in Croatia viewed from on high are absolutely spectacular! Our Luxury Yacht provides the best in comfort accommodation from which to explore the southern Islands of Croatia’s extensive and world renowned archipelago. These superb routes have been carefully put together to provide our clients with the right combination of holiday and fitness fun. Enough cycling to feel a wonderful sense of achievement and the satisfaction of being able to see the islands from an eco-friendly vantage point!

Highlights

• The Dingac Tunnel Descent
• The Ancient City of Ston
• Korcula Old Town
• Vis Island - location of the filming of Mama Mia 2
• The port of Hvar
• Mljet National Park
• The spectacular descent into Trpanj
• Our splendid yacht, Linda!

The tour is mostly on quiet island roads with a small number of joining sections on busier roads. Some cycling in towns and cities is necessary. Roads are generally well surfaced and suitable for road bike tires of 25 mm or more. We recommend a good quality and well-fitted road bike with dropped handlebars. If bringing your bike in a box, we can remove it and return it to you at the end of the tour.

Join us on an epic cycle challenge in the very best locations around the whole of Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland has seen an explosion of interest in recent years. There is a positive vibe about the place and a legion of sites to experience along the route and in the evenings. We have kept the distance to around 90 km (55 mi) each day with shorter options of 70 km (45 mi). The duration is eight nights with eight days’ cycling.

We have crafted the route to ensure your time is spent in only the areas with fantastic cycling and great scenery.

A fully supported tour of the very best cycling areas in Northern Ireland! Game of Thrones, Causeway Coast Road, Mourne Mountains, the Glens of Antrim, the Giant's Causeway, Sperrin AONB, St. Patrick's Trail...it's ALL in there!

Suitable for the 'Active' rider.

On our Portugal End to End tour you will cycle the length of this wonderful country from North to South mainly on the popular N2 route. The N2 in Portugal is known as Europe's Route 66. The tour starts in Chaves - located in Northern Portugal, next to the shores of Tâmega river and only a few kilometres away from Spain, Chaves is a city that has both a natural beauty and an incomparable historical and cultural legacy.

Accommodation is in good quality hotels that we have personally selected and visited. You will enjoy a fantastic breakfast each morning to fuel you for the day. Your luggage will be transferred each day. Our support van will be there in a jiffy if you need any assistance during the day. Water and bars and snacks are available without limit each day!

There is a lot of choice when it comes to stopping off for lunch in local cafés and restaurants. Lunch and evening meals are not included in the price. On occasions you may choose to have an evening meal together with the group, or you are free to stroll around and explore the local cuisine which Portugal is known for!

Suitable for the 'Avid' Rider. Approximately 120 km and 1,700 meters per day.