Cycling in Sligo

Pedal Pushers based in Boyle County Roscommon offer guided cycles throughout the surrounding countryside of Castle Dargan. See some sample routes and ideas for spins below. Contact Castle Dargan who will be delighted to arrange your Cycling Tour of Sligo

Route A:

Distance: 14 Km
Climb: Minimal
This tour links most of the attractions within the Boyle town environs. You will cycle from Lough Key Forest Park (LKFP), travel over one of Europe's oldest bridges and then visit Boyle's magnificent 12th Century Cistercian Abbey. Onwards from here and you can visit King House and spend some time exploring the town of Boyle. Back on the bike you will travel out of town along quiet country roads passing sacred wells, old hydro electric stations to visit our hidden attraction of Drumanone Dolmen. Then it's back to Boyle along the same route.

Route B:

Distance: 15 Km
Climb: Minimal
Starting at our pick up point in Abbeytown, Boyle, this tour firstly brings you into Lough Key Forest Park along a quiet tree lined route. Whilst in the park you can cycle along a myriad of gentle forest tracks or enjoy some of the amenities the park has to offer. You leave the park to travel through the old estate and then visit Deereen Wood (The Bluebell Wood) where more forest tracks await you. You then travel onto the picturesque village of Knockvicar where you can have lunch beside the meandering river and return to Boyle along the same route.

Route C:

Distance: 26 Km (Boyle to Carrick on Shannon), 44 Km (via Croghan)
Climb: Minimal to Moderate.
This tour is a continuation of Route B. You will travel from Knockvicar to the historic village of Cootehall where novelist John Mc Gahern spent some of his formative years. Back on the bike then and cycle on to Carrick on Shannon. This is a beautiful riverside route where you will meet little traffic. Whilst in Carrick you can enjoy all the amenities this tourist town has to offer. You can leave your bikes in Carrick and take the train or a taxi back to Boyle or continue cycling back through gentle country roads visiting Croghan Village and Cavetown Lake.

Route D:

Distance: 21 Km
Climb: Moderate but forgiving!!
This is another continuation of Route B but travels around Lough Key. This is a beautifully scenic cycle with almost continuous views of Lough Key and its many islands. There is also the opportunity to view Megalithic Standing Stones and ancient saunas/ sweathouses on this route.

Guided Tour:

Distance: 45km's (approx)
Climb: Significant - there is no hill that cannot be walked however.
Moderate degree of fitness required.
This tour will be held every Wednesday and is a relaxed spin around the hidden gems of North Roscommon and South Sligo. We meet at our pick up point in Abbeytown Boyle from where we will travel by taxi to the Arigna Mountains. We will then visit the Arigna Mining Museum where we will avail of a guided tour deep underground. Then it's onto the bikes and we will cycle high above the valley with glorious views of Lough Allen. We will visit the secluded famine graveyard and old pithead on Staunton's Brae. Then it's freewheel all the way to the village of Keadue, twice winner of the All Ireland tidy towns competition and one time home of 18th century harpist and composer Turlough O'Carolan. After a short break to get our breaths back we cruise onto the shores of Lough Meelagh for a homemade lunch prepared by your host. We will also visit the grave of O'Carolan and St Laissairs Well where those with bad backs can avail of the cure.

Onwards then to Ballyfarnon before climbing to the village of Highwood with glorious views of Lough Arrow and the surrounding mountains. We will then freewheel along secluded country lanes to the village of Castlebaldwin and onwards to the magnificent must see megalithic tombs of Carrowkeel.

Then its back on the bikes for the return to Boyle soaking up the breathtaking scenery for a well earned rest.