Cycle Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Route and GPX Files

All our cycle tours are supported with GPX files of the entire route. These start at the door of the hotel you are leaving and finish right at your finish hotel. The GPX route files for your Ireland End to End cycle tour will be sent well in advance for you to check uploading to your bike computer. Any revisions will be resent. 

Itinerary

1. ARRIVAL DAY - Overnight in Belfast then a morning transfer to Newcastle
2. Cycle Day 1: Newcastle to Newcastle - 85 km (52.7 mi) 1207 meters (3958.96 ft)
3. Cycle Day 2: Newcastle to Newcastle - 86 km (53.32 mi) 1219 meters (3998.32 ft)
4. Cycle Day 3: Newcastle to Portaferry - 70 km (43.4 mi) 543 meters (1781.04 ft)
5. Cycle Day 4: Portaferry to Bangor - 75 km (46.5 mi) 499 meters (1636.72 ft)
6. Cycle Day 5: Bangor to Limavady - 85 km (52.7 mi) 900 meters (2952 ft)
7. Cycle Day 6: Limavady to Ballycastle - 109 km (67.58 mi) 958 meters (3142.24 ft)
8. Cycle Day 7: Ballycastle to Carnlough - 93 km (57.66 mi) 1201 meters (3939.28 ft)
9. Cycle Day 8: Carnlough to Carrickfergus - 92 km (57.04 mi) 1005 meters (3296.4 ft)
10. DEPARTURE DAY

Northern Ireland Cycle Route

Aim to arrive at the Maldron Hotel at Belfast International Airport (5 mins walk from the terminal) by mid-afternoon on the first date of the advertised tour. We will have briefing and bike preparation that evening. The hotel restaurant will be open for food and drinks (not included in price). The next morning we transport you, your bike and your belongings to Newcastle, County Down where we begin cycling.

We spend two fantastic days following carefully planned routes in the Mourne Mountains. The second cycling day is the most challenging of the tour. But don’t worry, our SAG / Support wagon will be on call if you need assistance of any kind! We cycle the Silent Valley and Spelga Damn as well as the pretty small towns of Rostrevor and Castlewellan.

Next we head north through a number of small fishing villages including Ardglass then on through the town of Downpatrick, the home of St. Patrick’s grave. We take the ferry through ‘the Narrows’ at the mouth of Strangford Lough to the village of Portaferry on the other side.

The next day we cycle the quiet roads of the Ards Peninsula with several stunning lough views which change before your eyes as the tides empty and fill the lough. This area is renowned for its wild habitats, hundreds of small islands and rich bird life.

We finish in the picturesque coastal town of Bangor with its large marina, beaches and coastal walks. The next morning we do a coach transfer to the west and cycle north to Limavady through the beautiful Sperrin Mountain range and uplands. We stay in a beautiful hotel with spa and golf course.

The next day takes us to Ballycastle – a splendid village right on the coast. Our route takes us via the Giant’s Causeway and through the Dark Hedges - made famous as the King’s Road in Game of Thrones.

Then it’s on to the Causeway Coast Road and Glens of Antrim and a night in the village of Carnlough by the sea. We then pedal further south and finish at Carrickfergus with its imposing medieval castle just north of Belfast. You will then be transferred to the Airport or the city of Belfast. You may choose to add on a night or two and explore this lively, forward-thinking city before leaving for home.

Cycling Terrain and Bike Suitability

Our uniquely designed Northern Ireland cycle 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. We recommend a good quality and well-fitted road bike with dropped handlebars or hybrid style bike for this 8 Day ACTIVE tour. If bringing your bike in a box, we can remove it and return it to you at the end of the tour.

You can arrive with your bike fully built and ready, or in a travel box or bag. In this case your box or bag will be taken away and stored securely for the duration of the tour. It will be returned to you at the end.

Accommodation on the Northern Ireland Cycle Tour

You will sleep and eat breakfast in local, good quality hotels or guest houses in shared or single rooms. Customers are delighted with the high standard of accommodation that we provide. There is a supplement for a single room and the number of singles is limited and subject to availability. Experienced crew will support the trip with help as required. All belongings will be taken ahead to your next stopover and there will be mechanical assistance if required.

Lunch, Snacks and Refreshments

Lunch is included and will be in local restaurants, cafés or pubs - or sometimes picnic style (weather dependent!).  We will provide recommendations for stopping off for coffee on the way as well. Evening meals are NOT included in the price.

Water, fruit, bars and snacks are available without limit each day from the support van. Just help yourself.

Arriving for Your Northern Ireland Cycle Tour

Our meeting point at the start is the 'Maldron Hotel' at the Belfast International Airport from at 4pm. The Maldron Hotel is 5 minutes’ walk from the Belfast International Airport terminal. We prepare our bikes and then spend the night in the Maldron Hotel. We travel down to Newcastle and begin cycling the next morning.

We are delighted that so many international cyclists ride with us. We regularly have cyclists from from the USA, Australia, Canada and of course Britain and Europe to name but a few. Get in touch if you have any specific questions or concerns. By email to hello@wildatlanticcycling.com. We can help with your planning.

Departing at the End

On the last day we cycle to Carrickfergus. From there we provide transport to the Belfast International Airport for our final night in a nearby hotel. We enjoy a finish meal and drinks. Your bike box / bag will be returned to you here for repacking. The tour finishes the next day. Belfast has good on going travel links via plane, train or bus.

What to Expect on a Wild Atlantic Cycle Tour of Northern Ireland

Weather

The weather is changeable. Northern Ireland attracts low pressures and it gets its share of both sunshine and rain. 

The beauty about changeable weather is that every day can be different. Clouds form overhead and completely change the look of the landscape. One hour you can be bathed in sunshine, the next you can be marvelling at the cloud shadows, colours and rainbows against the green fields, mountains and bluffs.

A challenging day of ‘less than perfect’ cycling weather can make you feel alive like nothing else! And you will definitely want to stick around in the pub to swap survival stories!

Group Size and Tour Leaders

Our groups are generally around 12 to 18 people. All our Ireland tours go ahead with a minimum of six people.

Our groups are supported by a tour leader and assistant, both of whom have previous tour support experience and are themselves cyclists who fully appreciate just how it feels however your day pans out. The tour leader and assistant ride in the van to better aid a speedy assist where required. On most tours we also have a rider on the road with basic mechanical and first aid skills who will try to ride ‘mid-pack’, but the van generally gets there first.

At the initial briefing all cyclists are provided with the tour leader and assistant’s number, as well as that of the emergency services which they are instructed to use in the event of an emergency.

English is the main language of Northern Ireland.

Camaraderie

Camaraderie forms a big part of the whole experience our tours provide and although single supplements are available, our tours are priced and catered for such that a single cyclist can feel comfortable making a booking and opt to share a twin room with someone they don’t know.

People tend to settle into their own way of cycling throughout the day and groups can vary from day to day and evening to evening. You can cycle at your own pace for a solitary cycle or join others.

Navigating the Northern Ireland Cycle Route

We recommend you bring a bike computer onto which you can upload the GPX files of the route. GPX files of the Northern Ireland route will be emailed to you before the start of the tour.

Bike Maintenance

Each morning (and evening) bike cleaning materials, basic tools, pumps and lubricants will be available so you can groom your trusty steeds.

You can telephone any time for mechanical support where required.

Mechanical Issues

With regards to mechanical issues it’s helpful if everyone knows how to repair a puncture or replace a tube. However, we are on call if you need help re-seating a stiff tyre on the rim.

Minor mechanicals can be dealt with roadside and where more specialist help is required we can transport you and your bike to a local bike shop to carry out repairs.

Support Van & Cyclist

Our support van with water and refreshments will pass you at least once each morning and afternoon en route to lunch and hotel so you will normally be able to access your day pack before lunch, at lunch and in the afternoon.

We usually have a Support Cyclist on the road as well.

In the afternoon we ensure we get your bag to the hotel before you arrive.

Daily Routine

Every day starts with a hearty breakfast and a briefing.

Breakfasts vary but for the most part will include full Irish breakfast (eggs, bacon, sausage, soda bread, potato bread, tomato etc. Cereals, fruit, baked goods and coffee / tea, juice are also usually available.

We’ll advise of a suitable morning coffee stop for ‘second breakfast’ and we’ll also specify a lunch stop where the van can be found.

Evening meals are available in some of our Northern Ireland hotels. We do however advise a little walk each evening just to sample the delights these towns have to offer. Sample some Irish Guiness and enjoy the music and culture of this fun area.