The Burren Explorer Family Tour | Green Marble Tours

The Burren Explorer

A popular week long self-guided Ireland cycling tour through The Burren

The rocky Burren is a national park and one of the most unique landscape types in the world where there is much to discover for people of all ages. The karst limestone bedrock, blanketing the countryside, is full of rare flora and fauna. The land is criss-crossed with an ancient network of roads and small laneways making it an ideal place to explore by bike.

The tour starts with a night in the medieval City of Galway, then goes towards the limestone landscape of the Burren and continues on to the Cliffs of Moher. From there the tour goes along the Wild Atlantic Way and back to Galway for the final night of the tour.

The Burren has been inhabited by humans for millennia with some historic sites, such as Poulnabrone Dolmen dated to 2,500BC. The area is dotted with hundreds of archaeological sites of interest spanning the Bronze, Iron, Early Christian, Viking and medieval ages. This cycling tour takes you to small traditional Irish villages full of culture and tradition. The village of Doolin is a stronghold for traditional Irish music. In the long summer evenings, the pubs come alive with nightly music and storytelling.

Starting Dates

April – October

Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 - Arrival – Galway

Arrive in Galway and explore the City. Sample the atmosphere that has made Galway a mecca for musicians, artists, actors and tourists alike. The cobbled pedestrianised streets are lined with bohemian cafes, traditional pubs and craft shops. During the summer months the city has a vibrant and welcoming feel making it one of the most loved cities in Ireland. Depending on your arrival time we will meet you in the afternoon or the next morning for a personal introduction to your bicycles and the weeks ahead.

DAY 2 - Galway – Kinvara

38km (23mls) Gradient +203m/-200m

The route takes you away from the city along the coast to Oranmore and you leave the busier roads behind to cycle along the backroads to the village of Clarinbridge and Kilcolgan, from where you turn to ride past the ruined Kilcolgan castle. The route then keeps for a little while along the coast before turning inland to head to Ballindereen and then to Kinvara. This colourful village is picturesquely situated on Galway Bay.

DAY 3 - Kinvara – Doolin

47km (29mls) Gradient +466m/-463m

A most beautiful day that will bring you into the Burren National Reserve, your first glimpse of this very unusual and unique region. You will cycle by the Burren Perfumery with its informational visitor centre and excellent cafe, entertaining you on the unique botany of the region. Stop in the small village of Carron for lunch before continuing on minor backroads to Lisdoonvarna and finish the day in Doolin. During the day you will pass many ancient prehistoric sites, some dated to over 5,000 years ago. Doolin village is renowned across Ireland for traditional Irish music and many musicians from all over Ireland visit to play in the local pubs.

DAY 4 - Doolin (A daytrip to the Aran Islands or rest day)

DAY 4 - Doolin (A daytrip to the Aran Islands or rest day)

18km (11mls) Gradient +170m/-170mToday you will have the option to catch the ferry for a day trip to the famous Aran Islands or take a rest day to relax around Doolin. The islands are an extension of the Burren landscape. The quiet roads are ideal for cycling as you meander around the maze of oddly shaped stone walled fields. You can visit the ancient and spectacular historic site of Dun Aonghusa. Perched high on the sea cliff, this 3,000 year old fort will remain in your memory for many years to come. The return ferry to the mainland is in the late afternoon. Ferry tickets are not included in the price of the tour and can be purchased in advance online.

DAY 5 - Doolin (Cliffs of Moher)

15km (10mls) Gradient +236m/-233m - longer option available

Today you can visit the Unesco World heritage site that is the Cliffs of Moher, a magnificent natural feature spanning 14km of the Irish coast. The cliffs rise to over 700 feet above the Atlantic and there is a cliff side path that can be walked to enjoy the vista. The cliffs get their name from the word Mothar, which means ruined fort in ancient gaelic and there are a number of historic forts located along the cliff path.

DAY 6 - Doolin to Ballyvaughan

30km (18mls) Gradient +269m/-278m - longer option available

One of the highlights of the trip, today you will cycle the coast road to Ballyvaughan via Fanore beach. The journey offers awesome views of the Galway bay and the rugged rocky Atlantic coast. The ride via Blackhead lighthouse in particular will live long in your memory. Continue to the pretty village of Ballyvaughan where you will spend the night. Ballyvaughan has a number of excellent cafes and restaurants and also one of the best whiskey bars in Ireland.

DAY 7 - Ballyvaughan to Kinvara (+ transfer to Galway)

37km (23mls) Gradient +236m/-242m

Moving north from Ballyvaughan, you will cycle to Kinvara via Corcomroe Abbey, an 800 year old mosaic ruins and national monument. Visit the Burren Chocolate factory and continue to the Flaggy shore on the way to sample some of the finest seafood on the Atlantic coast. In Kinvara you will be collected and returned to Galway for the final night of the tour.

DAY 8 - Depart - Galway

Breakfast and departure for your onward journey - you can catch a bus or train to Dublin.

Tour Details

Included

Accommodation & Meals

7 nights ensuite guesthouses/B&Bs/hotels inclusive of 7 breakfasts

The accommodations included on your tour may be small hotels, guesthouses or B&Bs. They are clean, comfortable, family run businesses that we have been using for many years. They are all very highly rated and are well set up to cater for cycling holiday guests.

Each room will have its own private bathroom and shower. Breakfast is included in the package. Sometimes the small hotels will have a small restaurant and bar too. All the venues are located in the centre, or very close to the centre of a small village or town with local bars, cafes and restaurants all within easy walking distance.

In some locations, accommodation can be upgraded to 4/5 star on request.

Meet & greet

Meet and greet with one of our local experienced guides on day 1 for bike fitting and tour briefing

Bicycles & Equipment

Trek FX2 Hybrid Touring Bike – Included in tour price

The FX2 is strong, stable, fun and perfectly suited for Irish roads. Customised for our tours with puncture resistant tyres, mudguards and rear rack. Also available with ladies specific frame.

Includes: Helmet, bike lock, pannier, repair kit.

Important note regarding bikes and a ferry to the island: Bikes are not permitted on the ferry.Bikes can be rented separately on the island or you can hike or take a minbus tour.

Upgrade Option 1: Trek Checkpoint Gravel Bikes + €180

For riders seeking performance, versatility, and comfort on mixed terrain, the Trek Checkpoint is a superb upgrade. This lightweight gravel bike features drop handlebars, wider tires for extra stability, and a responsive frame ideal for Ireland’s quiet country roads and occasional gravel paths. It's perfect for guests who want a faster, sportier ride without sacrificing comfort on longer days in the saddle

Upgrade Option 2: Trek AL3 Road Bike + €180

The Trek AL3 is a sleek, lightweight aluminium road bike designed for speed and efficiency on paved roads. With drop handlebars and a smooth-shifting Shimano drivetrain, it's ideal for cyclists who prefer a more aerodynamic riding position and want to cover longer distances with ease. A great choice for guests seeking a faster, road-focused experience while exploring the west of Ireland.

Upgrade Option 3: Trek Electric Bikes + €225

We use the best quality E-bikes on the market. These bikes are pedal assist meaning they travel a lot further when you push the pedal compared to a regular bike.

Comfortable, strong and stable bikes combined with a quiet, powerful Bosch motor and a fully integrated high-capacity battery ensure many miles of care-free cycling. On a full charge they are good for 80km+.

Luggage Transfers

We provide you with our luggage tags at the beginning of the tour and we transfer the bags from accommodation to accommodation each day. Guests usually bring 1 or 2 bags per person.

Roadside Assistance

Local support & roadside assistance in the unlikely event of a breakdown

Tour pack

Detailed daily route notes, maps, gpx files & local countryside info booklet Recommendations for the best places to visit, eat and drink along the way

Arrival Location

Galway – there are regular busses from Dublin, Shannon and Ireland West Airports and trains from Dublin City

Departure Location

Galway City from where there are regular busses and trains to Dublin

Tour Accommodations

This self-guided cycling tour is designed to stay in comfortable, friendly, wonderful guesthouses and small hotels such as underneath. Accommodations could be upgraded if you prefer.

Consillio B&B

This B&B offers a warm and authentic Irish experience in a peaceful residential neighborhood just a 10-minute walk from Galway’s vibrant city center and a short stroll to the scenic Salthill Promenade. This family-operated B&B is renowned for its spotless, en-suite rooms, hearty full Irish breakfasts served each morning, which include cereals, fruits, and made-to-order hot dishes. The location is ideal for exploring Galway’s historic sites and enjoying local pubs.

Fallons B&B

This comfortable, family-run B&B is centrally located on Kinvara's main street, just a short walk from the harbour, Dunguaire Castle, and local pubs featuring live traditional music. The hosts are known for their warm hospitality and local knowledge.