Cycling in Northern Ireland
The bicycle is by far one of the best ways to explore the country. This is made all the more easier by some traffic free cycle routes all over Northern Ireland – although navigating around major cities such as Belfast and can sometimes be a daunting task, especially when dashing in and out of the rush hour traffic!
The bicycle is by far one of the best ways to explore the country (if not also one of the hardest ways to also see the country). This is made all the more easier by some traffic free cycle routes all over Northern Ireland – although navigating around major cities such as Belfast and can sometimes be a daunting task, especially when dashing in and out of the rush hour traffic!
If you prefer to ride the beaten track then there are many beautiful road and touring routes for you to take. In Northern Ireland there is a national cycle route which is a network of safe yet fun routes for the cycler to enjoy. There are over 800 miles of cycle paths with over 100 miles of these as traffic free. However, many off road routes are shared with walkers and horse-riders so caution and consideration should be exercised at all times.
There are 7 long distance cycle paths that criss cross Northern Ireland. The paths offer all level difficulty; paths in the Sperrin Mountains and the Mournes tend to be more difficult than other paths so they would be recommended for more experienced riders. You can cycle the paths in their entirety, or if you just prefer a leisurely jaunt you can pick and choose how far you want to go. The beauty about the National Cycle Network in Northern Ireland (besides the scenery) is its versatility – you can make it what you want it to be.
You can also cut down on the amount of pedalling you do by transporting your bike by train. Bikes can be taken free on most train services on a strictly first come first served basis as space is limited. Try booking in advance to avoid disappointment. Airlines will also accept bikes as part of your luggage allowance, however let me tell you from personal experience, make sure you have a proper bag or case for your bike because the airlines really do not like you putting them on the plane without them.
If you don’t fancy lugging your bike to Northern Ireland then you will be able to hire one from cycle shops that can be found in most large towns. Prices are typically around £15 a day or £60 a week, plus the obligatory refundable deposit. If you are looking for something a bit more specialized then you should expect to pay a bit more in line with what you want. For a completely comprehensive cycling holiday then there are a number of tour operators offering just that. Take a look at our activities in Northern Ireland home page section to see if there are any good deals on at the moment.
There is also information more specific on mountain biking HERE.
Organisations that can aid you with planning your cycling or mountain biking journey include:
Action Outdoors, Ballynahinch, Antrim
Activities Ireland, Belfast, Antrim
Adventure Quest, Newcastle, Down
Aqua Sports, Portrush, Antrim
Belfast Activity Centre, Belfast, Antrim
Bluelough Adventure Centre, Down
Canoe Centre, Enniskillen, Fermanagh
Clearsky Adventure Centre, Downpatrick, Down
Corralea Activity Centre, Corralea, Fermanagh
Craigavon Watersports Centre, Craigavon, Armagh
East Coast Adventure, Rostrevor, Down
Iron Donkey Bicycle Touring, Saintfield, Down
Lagan Watersports Centre, Belfast, Antrim
Lurgaboy Adventure Centre, Armagh, Armagh
Lusty Beg Island Activity Centre, Kesh, Fermanagh
Mourne Cycle Tours, Newcastle, Down
Natural High North West, Claudy, Londonderry
Outdoor Ireland North, Newcastle, Down
Share Holiday Village, Lisnaskea, Fermanagh
Sperrins Cycle Breaks, Creggan, Tyrone
Summit Mountain Biking, Glengormley, Antrim
Surfin Dirt Mountain Boarding, Kilcoo, Down
The Adventure Team, Gortin, Tyrone
Toddsleap.com, Dungannon, Tyrone
Tollymore Mountain Centre, Newcastle, Down
Xtreme North West, Belleek, Fermanagh
