125km — Poulnabrone Dolmen — Bark & Ride 2026

125km Distance

171m Elevation Gain

4–6h Est. Duration

4 Food Stops

About This Route

The ultimate test. From the Connacht Hotel, the route extends south through Garryland Wood and then deep into the Burren limestone plateau — multiple categorised climbs, the ancient landscape around Carron, a coastal stretch near Fanore, and the ever-present N18 Climb waiting on the return. This is a ride that will stay with you forever.

Route Highlights

Glann Corkscrew Climb The first real test of the day — 1.19km at 7.4%, winding up through the countryside south of Kinvara. Sets the tone for what's ahead.
Carron & the Burren Interior The route passes through Carron, deep in the heart of the Burren limestone plateau. The landscape here is unlike anywhere else in Ireland — raw, ancient, and extraordinary.
Poulnabrone Dolmen A 5,000-year-old portal tomb standing alone in the limestone karst — one of Ireland's most iconic prehistoric monuments, right on the route.
Coastal Return via Fanore After the Burren climbs, the route drops down to the coast near Fanore for a well-earned breather before the final push back to Galway.

Elevation

The most demanding elevation profile of the three routes. Key climbs include the Glann Corkscrew (1.19km at 7.4%), an unnamed Burren road (1.46km at 7.4%), the Carron Drag (0.98km at 4.2%), and the Munnia Climb (1.25km at 3.4%) — plus the N18 on the return. Total elevation gain 171m.

Rider Tips

✓Train specifically for this route. You need a solid base of 200+ weekly kilometres for at least 6 weeks beforehand.
✓Nutrition is everything on a 125km ride. Eat early and often — by the time you feel hungry, you're already behind.
✓The Burren section is exposed and can be windy in any direction. Don't underestimate the cumulative fatigue of the rolling climbs.
✓Carry two bottles and refill at every food stop. The inland sections offer limited shelter and dehydration creeps up fast.
✓Start conservatively. The first 40km feel familiar — that's the trap. The route doesn't truly begin until you hit the Burren climbs.

125kmPoulnabrone Dolmen