Clifden

54and56

Hi all,

Heading to Clifden for a weekend break soon and looking for any suggestions on +/- 50km fairly leisurely routes in the area to be done on a MTB and a Commuter Hybrid.

There's a 30km loop from Clifden out to Claddaghduff -> Cleggan and back to Clifden which looks like it could have some nice views and relatively quiet roads.

The only other route I can see is Clifden -> Letterfrack -> Kylemore Abbey -> Lough Innagh -> Glynsk and back the N59 to Clifden. 57km with 280m climbing.

Any thoughts, comments or alternative suggestions much appreciated.

smacl

Been years since I've been down there, but some of the l-road routes south of Clifden look at bit more interesting with plenty of smaller loops available. Kylemore Abbey is beautiful but I imagine that road could be busy enough in high season.

plodder

Yeah, the roads north of Clifden, particularly the N59 tend to be busy. Here's a loop I did earlier this year. It is really nice, not too busy and the last leg heading back to Clifden is particularly quiet and scenic.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2356310183 (the little loop around Inis Nee wasn't the greatest idea on a road bike, but you might fare better on wider tyres, or it could be cut out).

eeimcaw

I cycle out there a bit staying at claddaghduff....

"There's a 30km loop from Clifden out to Claddaghduff -> Cleggan and back to Clifden which looks like it could have some nice views and relatively quiet roads."
Good route but go on the skyroad out of clifden and brings you back out on the main road at the claddaghduff turn, views are great, bit of a climb but be no bother on a commuter bike. Can take the road again on way back and follow signs for low road(road joins back together in about 3k).
About 2k after sweeneys pub in claddaghduff take the turn for aughrus peninsula, adds about 3k extra but nice coastal road.

"The only other route I can see is Clifden -> Letterfrack -> Kylemore Abbey -> Lough Innagh -> Glynsk and back the N59 to Clifden. 57km with 280m climbing."
Inagh valley is a lovely spin.


https://www.connemara.net/roundstone-village-bog-road-tour/
bog road is lovely and quiet.

At letterfrack you can turn left and head to tullycross and onto lettergesh and will comback on the clifden-wesport.

Maidhci

There are some cycle routes available on this site:

https://www.connemara.net/category/things-to-do-connemara/cycling/

There is also a free magazine - "What's On Connemara" published every two weeks, available in SuperValu and Walsh's Coffee Shop, which shows some cycling routes and loops around the area. Enjoy!

fader123

I regularly go cycling near here in the summer months - based near Ballyconneely. The scenery is awesome and drivers are generally very accommodating, although I always avoid the N59 between Clifden and Recess as it's the main route for cars to/from Galway and Dublin.

The Bog Road is beautiful and makes a lovely loop from Clifden, coming back via Ballyconneely. That's 40k from Clifden, with Roundstone as the halfway point. It's a beautiful spot to stop for lunch/coffee/pint depending on your taste and timing!

To bring it up to 50k you could add a loop around Errislannon peninsula. Roads are a little rougher but doable on road bike so should be no issue with MTB and commuter. I'd recommend doing this loop clockwise as the hills are easier and views better imo.

If you can stretch to 80k, the Tour De Conamara shorter route takes you around the Bens past Lough Inagh which is absolutely stunning. You could cut this down to about 64k by taking the Bog Road and skipping Ballyconneely and Roundstone. I'd also go clockwise around this route myself but either way is fine.
http://tourdeconamara.ie/routes/

The Sky road is great too. Enjoy!

54and56

Wow, thanks so much for the great info and feedback everyone, I'm very grateful.

Your thoughts seem to echo the info a friend of mine emailed me a link to this afternoon - http://www.visitclifden.com/index.php/see-do/on-a-bike/

Hopefully that's a useful resource in addition to the local knowledge above for anyone with a similar question in future.

Really looking forward to exploring the area for a few days.

54and56

Just completed all 4 loops, really very enjoyable. 95% good roads with little traffic.

Loop #2 Thursday evening - https://www.relive.cc/view/vMq5dBr4gQ6

Loops 1 & 3 Friday - https://www.relive.cc/view/vYvrDMmjmL6

Loop #4 today stopping off for seafood and a pint in O'Dowd's of Roundstone - https://www.relive.cc/view/vKv24MXzZ46

Thanks for all the advice guys, really made the weekend.

a148pro

Great spins

You'll have to come back for inagh - one of the finest landscapes in ireland IMO and very little traffic. Inagh maam valley loop one of my best days cycling one sunny bank holiday friday, but more of a road bike loop

Last time driving down there there seemed to be decent semi off road gravely type potential

Maidhci

a148pro wrote: »

Great spins

You'll have to come back for inagh - one of the finest landscapes in ireland IMO and very little traffic. Inagh maam valley loop one of my best days cycling one sunny bank holiday friday, but more of a road bike loop

Last time driving down there there seemed to be decent semi off road gravely type potential

Totally agree regarding Inagh - my local cycling territory. Also, Inagh valley - turn left onto Kylemore, Letterfrack, Cleggan, Claddaghduff, Sky Road onto Clifden, Ballyconneelly, Roundstone, Cashel and link onto R340. Really, there are great cycling loops throughout Connemara.

54and56

a148pro wrote: »

Great spins

You'll have to come back for inagh - one of the finest landscapes in ireland IMO and very little traffic. Inagh maam valley loop one of my best days cycling one sunny bank holiday friday, but more of a road bike loop

Last time driving down there there seemed to be decent semi off road gravely type potential

I'll definitely be back. When away with my wife i bring a MTB as it keeps things balanced Vs her hybrid but i wouldn't mind getting away for a few days with some of my road bike mates I usually go for a longer spin with at weekends.

Really enjoyed the Sky Road on Friday and the bog road back into Clifden from Roundstone yesterday.

Got lucky with the weather also, lashed rain all the way home to Dublin today.