See Ireland’s North and North-West on two wheels… magic!

Spectacular cycle routes to suit all interests

Go biking in this special part of Ireland and live life to the full! Explore dramatic countryside and stunning Atlantic coastline at your own pace.

What better way to experience the magic and beauty of Ireland's North and North West Regions than on two wheels?

From your lofty perch on the saddle, you can enjoy spectacular scenery, wonderful Atlantic Ocean coastline, peace and quiet.

Wherever you go throughout the region, there's a cycle route to whet your imagination. It doesn't matter whether you are a beginner or more experienced cyclist, you will find a trail to suit your needs.

If you are ambitious, there's hardly a more dramatic and interesting cycle than the 'Atlantic Challenge', which takes you on a 380km journey through magnificent coastal scenery from Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal across to Ballycastle, near the famous Bushmills Distillery in Co. Antrim.

Another marvellous long-distance option is the 480km Kingfisher Cycle Trail. This highly varied route, which is mapped and waymarked all along the way, covers counties Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Fermanagh and Roscommon.

'The Highlands of Donegal Safari' is a fine challenge, too, which takes in the Donegal's special Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) west coast and charming Fanad peninsula. It also embraces picturesque Lough Gill in nearby Co. Sligo and the lakes and glens of Co. Leitrim.

Leisurely options
However, if you're just after a leisurely trek in any part of this spellbinding region, thousands of quiet, meandering country lanes beckon. Hop on your bike and breathe in the pure fresh air!

For a truly memorable experience, why not take the short 3.2km traffic-free path from the world-famous Giant's Causeway to the town of Bushmills, where the world's oldest whiskey distillery is located?

Another leisurely choice might be the Castle Archdale Family Mountain Bike Trail in Co. Fermanagh. This takes participants through an attractive nature and country park trail and along the shore of Lough Erne.

Fine challenges
There are also many fine, moderately challenging routes in different counties. The 34km Foyle Valley route, for instance, connects Derry City to Lifford, Co. Donegal and Strabane, Co. Tyrone along the banks of the River Foyle.

As you follow the Yeats Country Tour in Co. Sligo, get a special feel for the wonderful landscape and magical places that so inspired the great Nobel Prizewinning poet, WB Yeats.

Also in Sligo, you can follow part of the Tour de Humbert Cycle trail that traces the historic route taken, from Mayo to Longford, by the French forces that landed in Ireland in 1798.

If you fancy a challenging trek through the attractive Sperrin foothills and various towns and villages of Co. Tyrone, why not check out the 45km Banager Cycle Route?

For a completely different experience, why not take to the saddle at scenic Dungloe in Co. Donegal and head for the fishing village of Burtonport to take the ferry to Arranmore Island? There's hardly a better way to come into close contact with mystical island life off the coast of Ireland than to pedal your way through this wonderful place.

The beauty of all these routes, and the many other possibilities that exist, is that you can choose to dip in and out as you wish. With fantastic scenery and great variety, you can pick the cycling terrain you feel comfortable with and the length of trek. There are many opportunities to stop and rest.

If you want to join up with a guided tour or organise your own biking holiday independently, it's all possible. Specialist cycling tour operators are on hand in all counties to offer advice and guide you on your way. There's also plenty of good maps and accommodation.

And when you get off the saddle, what better way to wind down than to enjoy a drink or meal in a traditional pub or hostelry? There are countless small villages and towns along the route - part of the fun of it all is to stop off and meet the friendly locals, to sample the unique atmosphere.

So, whether it's pushing your limits around craggy mountains, soaring cliffs and deep valleys or going for a more leisurely cycle takes your fancy, Ireland's North and North West Regions are the place for you.

For county profiles, suggested drives and great holiday ideas, click here

FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information on any of the items featured above, or on the counties in general, please contact:

Fáilte Ireland North West
Aras Reddan
Temple Street
Sligo
Tel: 00353 (0) 7191 61201
Fax: 00353 (0) 719160360

Email: northwestinfo@failteireland.ie
Web: www.irelandnorthwest.ie

Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism
Fermanagh Tourist Information Centre
Wellington Road
Enniskillen
BT74 7EF
Northern Ireland
Tel: 0044 (0) 28 6632 3110
Fax: 0044 (0) 28 6632 5511

Email: info@fermanaghlakelands.com
Web: www.findfermanagh.com

Derry Visitor and Convention Bureau
44 Foyle Street
Derry
BT48 6TE
Northern Ireland
Tel: 0044 (0) 28 7137 7577
Fax: 0044 (0) 28 7137 7992

Email: info@derryvisitor.com
Web: www.derryvisitor.com

Causeway Coast & Glens
11 Lodge Road
Coleraine
BT52 1LU
Northern Ireland
Tel: 0044 (0) 28 7032 7720
Fax:0044 (0) 28 7032 7719

Email: mail@causewaycoastandglens.com
Web: www.causewaycoastandglens.com

Flavour of Tyrone
Killymaddy Tourist Information Centre
190 Ballygawley Road
Dungannon
Co. Tyrone BT70 1TF
Tel: 0044 (0)28 8776 7259
Fax: 0044 (0)28 8776 7911

Email: info@flavouroftyrone.com
Web: www.flavouroftyrone.com

Sperrins Tourism Ltd
The Manor House
30 High Street
Moneymore
BT70 45 7PD
Tel: 0044 (0)28 8674 7700
Fax: 0044 (0) 28 8674 7754
Email: info@sperrinstourism.com
Web: www.SperrinsTourism.com