60km — Dunguaire Castle — Bark & Ride 2026

60km Distance

36m Elevation Gain

2–3h Est. Duration

2 Food Stops

About This Route

The perfect introduction to Bark & Ride. From the Connacht Hotel, the route heads east through Ballybane and Merlin Park before sweeping south along the Galway Bay coast road to Oranmore and Clarinbridge. Scenic, sociable, and with one satisfying sting in the tail.

Route Highlights

Oranmore Coast Road A scenic stretch along the Galway Bay shoreline — flat, fast, and a great early confidence boost.
Kinvara & Dunguaire Castle The 16th-century tower house on the shores of Kinvara Bay is one of Ireland's most photographed castles — well worth a moment to look up.
Clarinbridge Village A charming stop in one of Galway's most beloved villages, famous for its annual oyster festival.
N18 Climb The route's one real test — just 0.61km but averaging 14%. Short, sharp, and very satisfying once it's done.

Elevation

Mostly flat to gently rolling. The one exception is the N18 Climb — short (0.61km) but averaging 14%, it catches plenty of people off guard. Everything else is very manageable.

Rider Tips

✓Great for first-time sportive riders — pace is relaxed and support is excellent.
✓Start hydrated. Clare's exposed roads can be deceptively windy.
✓Pack a light rain jacket — weather changes quickly in the Burren.
✓Don't race — soak in the scenery and the atmosphere.

60kmDunguaire Castle