Cycling

The Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana is ideally located for cycling breaks in Donegal. With miles of quiet country roads, challenging climbs, steep descents and spectacular coastal scenery, Inishowen is a haven for cycling enthusiasts.

Set at the starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way, Inishowen offers an unrivalled landscape of wild coastal beauty. The peninsula is also home to one of the toughest cycling challenges in Ireland, Mamore Gap, making it a fantastic choice for both individual cyclists and cycling groups.

Electric Bike Hire

GrassRoutes is an electric bike hire adventure business based in Letterkenny, offering delivery and collection of electric bikes to your location. Areas such as Inch Wildlife Reserve are ideal for bike delivery, with well-established routes and no motor vehicles permitted, making it a safe and enjoyable option for families to explore at their own pace.

GrassRoutes also operates from Glenveagh National Park, where bike hire is also available.

Recommended Cycling Routes

With our cycling packages, we have several recommended routes to follow, including the Inishowen 100, an 80km hilly route and a 100km rolling route, ideal for endurance or tempo training.

Mizen to Malin Head Route

The Mizen to Malin Head route is a gruelling 30-hour trek covering approximately 570km. As we are located near Malin Head, the Inishowen Gateway Hotel is ideally situated as a relaxing hotel at the start or end of your journey.

Inishowen 100

The Inishowen 100 may sound like a Formula 1 race, but it gets its name from the approximate distance in miles of the signposted drive, which officially starts in Newtowncunningham on the Inishowen Peninsula.

You will certainly not wish to break any speed records, as this scenic route is best enjoyed at your own pace while discovering the many historical gems and beautiful landscapes that Ireland’s largest peninsula has to offer.

Route Options

The Blue Route is the most difficult option, travelling from Moville to Greencastle Port, Shroove, Upper Greencastle and over Cooks Hill, before continuing through Kinnagoe Bay, Culdaff, Malin Head, Carndonagh, Ballyliffin, Clonmany and Mamore Gap before reaching Buncrana. This route covers approximately 157km, or 98 miles.

The Yellow Route is a moderate option, travelling from Moville to Lecamy, Gleneely, Culdaff, Carndonagh, Ballyliffin, Clonmany, Drumfries and Buncrana. This 100km route includes a break at Culdaff, helping to make the journey more manageable.

The Green Route is the easiest option. At Quigley’s Point, turn left for Carndonagh and continue through Ballyliffin, Clonmany and Drumfries before reaching Buncrana, covering a round trip of approximately 75km, or 47 miles.