Unspoilt Ring of Kerry Cycling

Activity Level

Moderate

Activity

Cycling

Overview

Cycle a quieter mix of inland and coastal routes close to the famous Ring of Kerry.

The Iveragh Peninsula is a stunning region of islands. With Killarney at its epicentre, it is the largest of the ‘five fingers’ of Ireland, better known as the Ring of Kerry. Mystical, beautiful and grand, the route is also a tourist hotspot, so can be a little unkind to cyclists. Our routes maintain the same beauty and splendour but take you off the path to enjoy a more leisurely and quieter mix of inland and coastal scenery.

You’ll pedal through lush countryside and lively, friendly towns, soaking up the charming Irish welcome, which is certainly as great as people talk about. Starting in the large town of Killarney, which offers an array of bars and restaurants where live Irish music can be found every night.

After a lovely warm-up day seeing the sights around Tralee, the routes follow quiet country roads and lanes (boreens in Irish), passing dramatic mountains, sparkling blue loughs, boulder-strewn fields, lush green meadows, fast running rivers and spectacular beaches and bays. This small corner of Ireland is quite rightly famous but still holds on to its traditions and general rural feel – with enough sites to explore for longer than one week. From 19th century Muckross House to the UNESCO World Heritage (and, more recently, of Star Wars fame), Skellig Islands.

Key Information

Trip Code: C07KE
Ways to Travel: Self-Guided Holidays
Countries: Ireland

What's Included

All breakfasts
High Quality Bikes
Headwater navigation app
Luggage Transfers between hotels

6 days of Cycling

Terrain:

The suggested cycling mainly follows quiet tarmac roads and lanes.

Day 2: 21 km / 13 miles
Day 3: 53 km / 32.9 miles
Day 4: 38 km / 23.6 miles
Day 5: 40 km / 24.9 miles
Day 6: 42 km / 26.1 miles
Day 7: 54 km / 33.6 miles

Highlights

The Ring of Kerry - the 'real' Ireland, away from the crowds in beautiful scenery
Our cycle routes feature a quieter mix of inland and coastal routes
10,000 years of dramatic history - an early Celtic tribe settled in the area around 300BC
The Gap of Dunloe - a magnificent glaciated valley
The stunning Three Lakes of Killarney in Killarney National Park - look out for native red deer

Itinerary

First Destination: Tralee
Next Destination: Killarney

Meals included:None

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Tralee
Next Destination: Killarney

On arriving in Tralee, check into your Hotel. If time permits, take a scenic ride along the Tralee to Fenit Greenway. This is an excellent chance to get comfortable with your rental bike away from busy roads. The route leads to the picturesque fishing village of Fenit, where you can unwind on the blue-flag beach or climb to the St. Brendan the Navigator statue for stunning views of the northern Dingle Peninsula.

Back in Tralee, enjoy a relaxed evening in preparation for your cycling adventures. Treat yourself to a meal at one of Tralee’s many restaurants or explore local culture with a show or exhibition at Siamsa Tire, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland.

A short warm-up ride through the stunning Killarney National Park follows a series of cycle trails where you’ll see the meeting of the waters where two of the ‘Three Lakes of Killarney’ converge. Marvel at Torc Waterfall, the second highest in Ireland, visit Muckross House and its magnificent gardens, looking out for the famous red deer.

Meals included:Breakfast

Leaving Killarney behind, you’ll follow the Fossa Way cycle route, before heading on small country roads as you slowly climb up to the pretty Lough Acoose, below the peak of Carrauntuohill, Ireland’s highest mountain. Descending, you’ll cycle along the shores of Lough Caragh and on to charming Glenbeigh and its blue flag beach. If you have time, pedal down to Rossbeigh Strand and dip your toes in the Atlantic.

Meals included:Breakfast

You’ll follow the route of the coast today, passing small farms and on to the beautiful and peaceful shores of Kells Bay. Heading along a scenic narrow road fringed by large green meadows and peaks in the distance, a circular loop at the end takes you past Ballycarbery Castle and a wonderful seaside view and two early Christian stone forts. You’ll arrive in the lively town of Cahersiveen, the birthplace of Daniel O’Connell, the Irish political leader (1775-1847).

Meals included:Breakfast

Today’s route takes you on coastal roads to your next destination of Sneem, passing through the quaint little town of Waterville on your way, the home away from home for Charlie Chaplin and his family throughout the 60’s. Leaving Waterville you take on the climb of Coomaskista, to be awarded with stunning coastal vistas at the viewing point on the summit of the climb before skirting the Derrynane coastline and beaches on your final push to Sneem. Options to visit Derrynane House, the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell, one of Irelands most important historical figures.

Meals included:Breakfast

Departing Sneem the routes heads back inland on rolling country roads, surrounded by Emerald Green farmland and dense ancient hedges with dry-stone walls. Your day will finish in the vibrant heritage town of Kenmare, well renowned for its cuisine and live music.

Meals included:Breakfast

As final bike rides go, they don’t get much better than this. You’ll cycle to Moll’s Gap – a panoramic spot that reaches a summit of 860 feet – and continue to the Black Valley. This is one of the last remaining areas of Ireland that is still remote and untouched; with rich fertile meadows and a roaring river, it feels like a land that time forgot. From here you’ll climb to one of the most beautiful places in Ireland, the Gap of Dunloe, which was created during the Ice Age. Cycling along this glaciated valley, you’ll meander around the many glacial lakes dotted throughout and marvel at the sheer jagged rock faces towering above you. You’ll head back into Killarney through the National Park, passing the 15th century Ross Castle, before returning to your B&B for your last night (and perhaps a final Guinness).

Meals included:Breakfast

Departure after breakfast. Transfers can be arranged at a supplement, perhaps enjoy extra nights in Killarney to finish your trip.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Call us on 1 844 462 4317

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Accommodation

Hotels

You’ll stay in a mix of bed and breakfasts, where you’ll enjoy an Irish breakfast (one which is quirky and located off-the-beaten-track on the banks of the Curragh river) and an historic hotel. Along with the stunning scenery, you’ll receive a hearty welcome everywhere you stay.

Essential Information

Classification: Self-Guided

Average daily distance on move on days: 45km (28 miles).

No. of days cycling: 6 (including 1 optional ride)

Terrain and route: The suggested cycling mainly follows quiet tarmac roads and lanes.

Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. A representative will be there to meet you, make sure the bikes are all set up and will be on call throughout the trip should you need.

It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Families
Self-guided cycling holidays are a perfect option for families as they offer the freedom for you to take your holiday at your own pace. You can stop as and when you want and need, at the cafes and restaurants that suit your family and the sites that interest you. We have suggested the minimum age for this trip is 12yrs as we feel they will be able to ride the bikes we have to offer and complete the route. However our local partner is able to offer child seats for children aged 2-4yrs (max. weight 22 kg, hills will be tricky). These are all subject to availability, and therefore we ask that you enquire about these on booking. As a guide we have suggested that 12yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you. The daily distances are all published in the trip notes along with a description of each days cycling so you have a good idea of what to expect. However, if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts. The principle idea is that these holidays can be as flexible as you like, with logistical support but no group or leader to dictate the daily activities. Please bear in mind the weather when choosing to book, temperatures can be high in the middle of summer and the child seats provided do not have any shade.

If you have pre-booked a transfer you will be met at Killarney train station and transferred to your bed and breakfast, less than five minutes walk from the centre of Killarney.

All breakfasts and one evening meal included.

Irish food is not exactly famous, but what you will find is extremely good ingredients used to create basic and classic dishes, both Kerry beef and Kerry lamb, are certainly well known all over Ireland and further afield. You will see rack of lamb, lamb stew and shepherd’s pie, in most places. The county’s other basket is the Atlantic Ocean, and its rivers and loughs. Sea bream and Sea Bass are popular.Trout and Salmon can be served in many different ways, and there is an abundance of shell fish, local chowders are excellent and look out for crab gratin.

Wine is readily available but of course one of the symbols of Ireland is Guinness, and we can say from experience that it tastes better in Ireland, but if have a thirst after a long walk, beware the Guinness is not poured quickly, many might say there is a certain amount of time you need to leave after filling the glass halfway up the harp. However it should be left until you see a vivid distinction between the dark body and the creamy white head. Only then can the rest of the glass be filled. Learning from the locals, you should order your second pint before you have finished your first!

Craft beer is making a name for itself in Ireland and there are some excellent local ones. Then there is the Irish whiskey, the famous one being Bushmills and Jameson’s, and there are many local whiskies for you to try, the Dingle distillery produces a good whiskey and an excellent gin.

The climate on the South West Coast of Ireland is mild due to its location and the influence of the Gulf Stream. The weather, however, is temperamental and proves quite hard to predict, therefore it is important to be prepared for all weather. The warmer months tend to be the summer months, July and August, with an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. Temperatures rarely fall below 0 during the year. The wettest months tend to be from October through to March. April is often the driest month. Rain can be expected at any time of the year.

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We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.