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The Glens of Antrim - Cycling

We circle around the spectacular roads and villages of the Glens of Antrim combining the drama of the coastal road with the beauty of the Glens. We have the chance to visit the Giant's Causeway as well as the village of Bushmills to sample its liquid delights! The route incorporates several sections of cycle path developed by Sustrans as part of the Millenium National cycle route project.

2011 Dates

 

May June July Aug Sept
The Glens of Antrim 27
Tour Length: 8 days (Sat - Sat)

Accommodations: Carefully selected B&B's, guesthouses and small family run hotels. Twin rooms with bathroom ensuite.

Meals Included: Irish breakfast daily and dinner one evening.

Touring Itinerary:

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 In the morning we explore the pretty and less visited Glen of Glenaan 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.

Wed 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.

Thurs We 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. Our 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” we head on along the coast to Bushmills where we have lunch before heading back to Ballycastle for the night.

Fri For our last days cycle we head South back into the Glens towards the ECOS centre. From here we take a transfer back to Belfast and a last night on the town together.

Sat After a hearty breakfast, like all good things the tour ends!