Northern Ireland Antrim Glerns cycling safari with Hidden Trails.

Guided Biking Tours in Northern Ireland - Antrim Glens

Antrim Glens Cycling Safari
This tour offers you some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in the country, with cliffs and rolling green fields sweeping down towards the Irish Sea along a coastline dotted with ancient forts and castles. We also cycle inland up into the famous Glens of Antrim with some wonderful highland cycling on quiet back roads. Finally you visit Bushmills the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world and finish off the week with a visit to the Giants Causeway , the most famous landmark in Northern Ireland with its amazing basalt roach formations

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Rates include 7 nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation ( a mixture of Hotels and guesthouse), 1 evening dinner, bicycle hire, tour guide who drives the luggage van and looks after the tour, maps and all necessary equipment. The tour includes coach transfers when required during the week, but does not include the optional ferry journeys.
8 days / 7 nights $985
-- based on GBP 495
Single supplements are very limited but in the case where we can provide one there is an additional cost of ~$315
2008 Dates:
08/02-08/09 08/16-08/23

Self Guided Option: N/A.

3 images - cyclists and scenery.

Schedule

Sat	We meet up in the centre of Belfast, after an introductory meeting we have dinner together.
Sun	A Sustrans Cycle path guides us out of Belfast along the coast to Carrickfergus and its famous 12th Century castle. We then head inland to avoid the Sunday drivers and up into the mountains before descending to the first of the Antrim Glens with beautiful views of the ocean below . That night we stay in the quiet seaside village of Glenarm.
Mon	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.
Tues	Heading inland again, we cycle through two of the most spectacular Glens of Antrim before returning back to Cushendall for another night in this lovely village.
Wed	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.
Thurs	One attractive option on the rest day is to take the ferry to explore Rathlin Island, which is some five miles out in the Atlantic.
Fri	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 Coleraine to Belfast city for a final night together.
Sat	After a hearty breakfast, like all good things the tour ends!

Distances: The average cycling distance is an easy 30m (45km) with longer routes being available each day.
Meals: The guide will recommend a lunch stop each day where a snack lunch will cost between $7 and $10. A group evening meal is also organised by the guide each night which costs between $15 and $20.
Insurance: There is an additional charge of $25 for insurance cover for this trip, or you can opt for the regular insurance package that we offer.
The bicycle: We supply 21 speed Trek hybrid touring models for the tours. Repair equipment, helmets and pannier bags are available on request.
Starting times: Tours starts with a meeting of the group at 6.30pm on the Saturday evening in a central hotel close to the local train and Bus station. This is only a meeting point - you will then overnight in nearby guesthouses. The guide is able to return to the meeting place at 9.30pm again that evening and the following morning for those arriving late. After an introductory talk the guide will organise an evening meal and direct clients to their first nights accommodation in bed & breakfasts.

General Trip Philosophy