Description

This section is mostly flat apart from a few small hills at the start. There are no big climbs, and you’ll be cycling on mostly small rural roads. It’s a section with lots of variety with parts of the route running past the foothills of the Dartry Mountains as well as along the Atlantic coast. Don’t forget to have a look at the Points of Interest below where you’ll find more details on things to see and do along this section.

Leaving Sligo Town within a couple of kilometres you ‘ll be cycling on small rural roads again. The route heads north towards the Dartry Mountains at first but then, at the foot of Slievemore (Big Mountain) also known as Kings Mountain, you will head west again crossing the main road at Drumcliff. Close to here is the grave of the famous writer W. B. Yeats. After Drumcliff you will go through the village of Carney and then further west past Lissdell House Estate. The route then meanders around a headland before heading east again and crossing the main road at Grange. Along this section any turn left will bring you to the Atlantic Ocean.

Having crossed the main road at Grange you’ll be back at the foothills of the Dartry Mountains and soon you’ll pass the spectacular Benbulben Mountain formed during the last ice age. After this the route turns left at a junction, but if you have time to spare it is worth a detour (turning right here) and cycling around the spectacular Gleniff Horseshoe.

One more time you’ll cross the main road and head for Mullaghmore. This is a small fishing village with a popular beach, harbour and coastal road around Mullaghmore Head. Look out for the mysterious Cassie Bawn castle.

After Mullaghmore you’ll follow the same road as you arrived on for a short distance before heading northeast towards Bundoran and the end of this section.  The route from here to Bundoran is mostly on small quiet roads but there is a section of about 700m along the main road. There is a wide hard shoulder here so its not really a problem if you cycle in the hard shoulder.

Bundoran is a seaside resort and there is a campsite here as well as ample accommodation.