The Hills & The Valleys

The Sheeffry Hills ➤ Doo Lough Valley ➤ Louisburgh ➤ Clew Bay

On this 67 kilometre route, you will depart Westport via the Leenaun Road, passing by the Brackloon Woods along a stretch of road where the gradient tops out at a pleasant 4%. A couple of kilometres further down the road you’ll roll through the town land of Glinsk, and onwards over the Owenmore River. At 16 kilometres in an area called Cuilmore, the real climbing starts. This is the beginning of the Sheeffry Pass, and by the time you’ve reached the magnificent viewing point at the summit, you’ll have overcome some terrain that maxes out at over 13.5% gradient. We recommend a well deserved rest at this point!

The descent on the far side of the Sheeffry Pass is glorious, to your left the stunning Tawnyard Lough sits quietly amidst pockets of native woodland. The end of this descent sees you emerge at the eastern shore of Doo Lough. From here, you’ll head right, past the Famine Memorial where he gradient reaches 7.5% and onwards into a glorious stretch of countryside that culminates at the pretty little town of Louisburgh. Louisburgh’s charm makes it a nice place to stop for a refreshment before taking on the final 20 kilometres along Clew Bay and into Westport. This stretch is dominated by the imposing presence of Croagh Patrick behind the village of Murrisk. The scenery is wonderfully diverse with the vast Clew Bay to your left a stark contrast to the mountainous terrain on your right.

The final few kilometres will see you rolling into Westport past the quiet and picturesque harbour. Once you reach Westport, there’s plenty of options for your post-cycle meal, enjoy!