Adventourus Active Vacations

8 day Independent OR Escorted tour

Our meeting point is Belfast, a changing city undergoing large-scale transformation of the centre and waterfront areas. However, it still retains many examples of its past glories as Ulster’s engine room and as a result it has many fine Victorian and Edwardian buildings, making the city well worth some exploring. 
A Sustrans cycle route guides us out of the city and up the Northern coastline. Here we alternate our time between exploring the unspoilt dramatic coastline and beautiful Glens whilst experiencing some of the finest hospitality you will find. 
Our rest day is in the attractive town of Ballycastle where you can visit Rathlin Island. The famous Giants Causeways and Carrickrede Rope Bridge and the delights of Bushmills Distillery are all part of our safaris.

We meet up in the centre of Belfast and after an introductory meeting we have dinner together.

Setting out on a Sustrans Cycle path you cycle out of Belfast along the coast to Carrickfergus and its famous 12th Century castle. You then head inland and up into the mountains before descending to the first of the Antrim Glens with beautiful views of the ocean below. That night you stay in the quiet seaside village of Carnlough.

Day 3: Carnlough - Cushendall (56 km)

In the morning we cycle back up into the hills and see Sperrin mountain. It is here where legend has it that St Patrick spent his youth in captivity as a pig farmer before escaping back to England only to return as a Bishop to convert Ireland to Christianity. We then return to the coast for lunch in a seaside Hotel. The days cycle takes in the beauty of Antrim not only in its coastline but also in its famous and stunning Glens. Slowly but surely we make our way along the coast to the village of Cushendall where we base ourselves for two nights.

In the morning we explore the pretty and less visited Glenaan more thoroughly and then return to the coast for lunch in Cushendun. In the afternoon comes one of the highlights of the week, a breathtaking cycle along the coast road to Ballycastle passing along green fields dotted with sheep, while you look out over beautiful views of Scotland and the Mull of Kintyre, just across the sea.

One attractive option on the rest day is to take the ferry to explore nearby Rathlin Island which has one of the largest bird colonies in the country as well as a small seal colony. It is a wonderful place to spend a rest day giving you that sense of being away from it all that you can only experience on an island.

You start with a cycle along beautiful coastline to view the hexagonal basalt rock formations at the Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland’s most famous landmark. When you see this geographical wonder you will understand why is had been awarded World Heritage Site status. Your next stop on a day of spectacular sights is the Carrik-a-Rede Rope Bridge. This swinging bridge to Carrick-a-Rede island was originally erected by local fisherman over a 23m-deep and 20m-wide chasm to check their salmon nets. After taking the “rope-bridge challenge” you head on along the coast to Bushmills where you have lunch before heading back to Ballycastle for the night.

We cycle along the coast where we can visit the famous Carrickrede rope bridge and then along to view the hexagonal rock formations at the Giants Causeway. From there, we head to the village of Bushmills where we can visit the famous Whiskey distillery. The tour finishes off with a transfer back from Colerain to Belfast city for a final night together.

After breakfast your cycling tour comes to an end and you may begin your journey home. We would also be more than happy to extend your stay in Europe.

PRICE & DETAILS

Price & Schedule

INDEPENDENT TOUR

DEPARTURE DATES:

This tour starts daily from May through September, except on escorted tour start dates

- 7 nights in excellent quality, small family run guesthouses and B & B's; all rooms with private facilities.

- Breakfast each day

- One dinner

- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.

- Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.

- 21 speed Giant Escape 3 hybrid bike with pannier.

Price & Schedule

ESCORTED TOUR

DEPARTURE DATES:

August 25

- 7 nights in excellent quality, small family run guesthouses and B & B's, all rooms with WC and shower.

- Substantial breakfast each day

- One dinner

- Professional tour guide at your disposal each evening, in an accompanying van during the day.

- Daily tour discussion in the morning

- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel

- Bus transfer from Coleraine to Belfast city

- Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.

- 21 speed Trek hybrid bike with pannier, mudguards & water bottle.

MODERATE TO HILLY: The roads are all sealed and the route is designed to ensure that you spend most of the week on quiet back roads, away from the main tourist routes. This is one of the hillier tours so a good level of fitness is required.

The nearest international airport is Belfast. There is a regular shuttle service from the airport into the city centre, where your hotel is located.

Escorted Tour

Our escorted bicycle tours include all services provided to our “Individual” riders, as well as the following additional services:

- Tour Escort, well familiar with the region, with a van.

- Daily personal tour introduction.

- Opportunity to ride in the van should your legs get tired.

- By common consent the tour companion organises sightseeing and picnics.

- Entrance fees and guided sightseeing are (partly) included in the price.