The Lough Derg Cycleway is a mostly flat 132km cycle route in County Clare. Sheltered narrow twisting roads surround the lake with intermittent villages, where one can stop off and explore the many historic sites and places of interest around the lakeshore. The route circles the entire lake. Easy riding along the route could take several days, particularly as there are so many places to stop off to view the scenery or spend an overnight.
Most cyclists like to start and complete their journey at Killaloe and Ballina but essentially they can pick up on the cycleway, which is signposted in both directions anywhere along the route.
Shortly after leaving Killaloe on the R463, there is a short viewing point that provides cyclists with their first glimpse of the lake. Further on, and after a short climb beyond Ogonelloe village, they can see Holy Island with its 10th Century monastic tower.
At Tuamgraney, cyclists branch on to the R352 and less than 3.5 kilometres away is Scarriff, an ideal place to stock up on provisions before moving on to Mountshannon, an exquisite old world village and a busy yachting centre. This is a place cyclists will probably want to explore before heading off towards Whitegate. Here, the road moves away from the lake and by the time it comes into view again, cyclists have almost reached the next town, Portumna. This is a pleasant little town with a number of old ruins and a delightful Forest Park.