The best road cycling routes around Mullaghgare

There are over 40 road cycling routes around Mullaghgare, offering a diverse range of options for cyclists. These include routes of varying difficulty, from easy spins to more challenging long-distance rides.

Road cycling in Mullaghgare features a mix of terrain. You'll find quiet rural roads, well-maintained trails, and scenic coastal paths. The region is characterized by its rugged coastline with limestone headlands, offering expansive ocean views, and inland, you'll encounter varied landscapes including forests and gentle hills, with the iconic Benbulben mountain often dominating the skyline.

Yes, Mullaghgare offers several easy road cycling routes perfect for beginners or those seeking a relaxed ride. For instance, the Scotshouse, Redhills and Belturbet loop is an easy 25.2-mile path that provides a pleasant ride through rural landscapes with minimal elevation gain. Another easy option is the Kilgarrow Lough – Killymackan Lough loop from Clogher, covering about 30 miles.

For cyclists looking for a challenge, Mullaghgare has routes with notable elevation. The Lower Lough MacNean – Dowra loop from Belturbet is a difficult 80.6-mile trail that leads through varied terrain, including lakeside views, and features over 1200 meters of elevation gain.

Mullaghgare's routes offer stunning natural beauty and historical landmarks. You can enjoy views of the iconic Benbulben mountain, dramatic rugged coastlines, and expansive sandy beaches like Mullaghmore Beach. While cycling, you might also pass by historical sites such as the Clones Round Tower or the Clones 'Wee' Abbey. The region is also part of the Wild Atlantic Way, ensuring picturesque scenery throughout your ride.

While many road cycling routes stick to paved roads, the broader Mullaghgare region is close to natural attractions like Gortin Glen Forest Park, which features trails, a scenic forest drive, and waterfalls. While not directly on a road cycling route, these areas offer beautiful scenery and can be explored as part of a cycling trip.

The road cycling routes around Mullaghgare are highly regarded by the komoot community, holding an average score of 5.0 stars from 3 reviews. Over 100 road cyclists have used komoot to explore the area, often praising the diverse terrain, quiet roads, and the stunning coastal and mountain views.

Yes, Mullaghmore and its surrounding villages offer various amenities. While specific cafes or pubs directly on every route may vary, you'll find options for refreshments and meals in towns like Belturbet, which serves as a starting point for several routes, and in Mullaghmore itself, known for its cafes and pubs.

The best time for road cycling in Mullaghgare is generally during the spring and summer months (April to September) when the weather is milder and daylight hours are longer. This period offers the most pleasant conditions to enjoy the coastal views and varied landscapes. Always check local weather forecasts before heading out.

Many of the road cycling routes in Mullaghgare are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish in the same location. Examples include the Killashandra and Butlers Bridge loop from Belturbet and the Lough Narye – Lough Barry loop from Cloghagaddy, providing convenient options for exploring the region.

Parking is generally available in the towns and villages that serve as common starting points for routes. For example, Belturbet is a popular base for several routes, and Mullaghmore village itself offers parking facilities, especially near its 19th-century harbor, providing convenient access to the coastal and inland cycling options.

Mullaghmore is an integral part of the Wild Atlantic Way, so many of the coastal road cycling routes in the area will offer stunning views of this famous touring route. Cycling along the Mullaghmore peninsula will provide dramatic, windswept ocean vistas and a true sense of the Wild Atlantic Way's beauty.