After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a leisurely 75-minute trip into the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. This is one of the most beautiful, least populated areas in Ireland with a picture-postcard setting around every turn. Upon entering Glenveagh National Park, you will receive a safety briefing and then hop on an electric bike and pedal off into the wilds. The bikes have an electric motor for extra power when needed, so it’s easier to make your way up and down the hilly terrain. Other than the Park’s shuttle bus, vehicles are not allowed beyond the car park, which makes your cycling experience very safe and pleasant. The park sprawls over 40,000 acres of mountains, lakes and glens, all of it pristine and full of wildlife. You may catch sight of a herd of red deer bounding through the park, as they have been in Ireland since the last Ice Age and thrive here. You can bike to the waterfall at the head of the glen. The park contains about 247 acres of natural and semi-natural woodland. As you continue your travels you're sure to be surrounded by oak, birch, hazel, yew and aspen trees towering over lush green carpets of mosses and ferns. Have your camera handy. In addition to the red deer, peregrine falcons and an occasional golden eagle call this park their home so be on the lookout. Bird lovers should listen for the wood warbler, a rare bird in Ireland but annual visitor to Glenveagh with a unique call, which sounds like a coin spinning on a plate. The park was once the estate of John Adair, a wealthy 19th century landowner. He began building a storybook castle in 1867, designed to look like a medieval fortress, complete with a parapet and a 4-story rectangular keep. The castle’s gardens are exquisite and worth discovering. Afterwards, you will rejoin your minibus and travel back to the pier.
Please note: Wear warm comfortable, waterproof clothing, and flat shoes. Bring your camera. Admission to the Castle & Gardens is not included.