Leitrim is a county of hills and lakes, quiet roads and mountain trails. A two-wheeled adventure is always on the cards in Leitrim. Brimful of serene, unspoiled countryside, a cycling day trip or saddle-top tour is the ideal way to discover the county’s hidden gems.

Ideal for road cyclists and mountain bikers alike, there is a myriad of cycle routes and trails waiting to be explored.

Kingfisher Trail

The Kingfisher Cycle Trail was the first long distance cycle trail in Ireland and follows minor country roads through the border counties of Fermanagh, Leitrim, Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan.

This unique mixture of lakelands, canal side tracks, rolling hills, leafy lane-ways and mountain climbs make the Kingfisher Trail the ideal choice for all levels of Cyclist. The overall figure of 8 encompasses a number of shorter trails which are designed for anything for 1 day to 8 day tours.

The Kingfisher Cycle Trail is over 300 miles of public roadway winding through rural countryside, Lake-lands, Atlantic Coast and Mountain Trail.

Independent travel offers the best opportunity for those who like complete freedom. Using the Kingfisher Map, the Kingfisher Accommodation Guide and the clearly way-marked route, navigation is child’s-play.

Northwest Trail

The North West Cycling Trail is a 326km circular cycle route through counties Donegal, Tyrone, Fermanagh, Leitrim, and Sligo in the North West of Ireland

The North West Trail enjoys dramatic views of the Atlantic Ocean with scenic cycling in remote uplands.  The placid trail can be explored in its entirety as a long distance touring holiday as the route meanders through picturesque rural towns and villages with plenty of opportunities to change gear and stop for a well earned break to sample local hospitality and cuisine.

The North West Trail also provides the perfect opportunity to experience the culture and heritage of the North West with the route passing through Yeats country and many sites of historical and archaeological significance

Notable road cycle routes include: the Melvin Loop, Dromahair Loop, Glenaniff and Barr Climbs, Bencroy and Dowra Loop.

With its quiet roads, beautiful hills and many off road tracks and trails, Leitrim is a mountain biker’s dream and there are a number of Mountain Bike Trails worthy of note including: Creevelea Ironworks, Eagles Rock, Lough Doo, O’Donnell’s Rock, Saddles Hill and Dooagh.

For more information www. cycleleitrim.com, which is brimful of information, including maps of all these routes and trails mentioned in this article.

For Bike Hire and advice contact Electric Bike Trails in Leitrim Village, which provides a friendly and personal bike hire service. For more information log on www.electricbiketrails.ie