Ring of Kerry & Dingle Peninsula Self Guided Cycling Tour
8 days - 7 nights Cycling Vacation in Ireland
Day 1 Saturday: Arrival in Killarney
On arrival in Killarney you should make your way to your accommodation after 2.00pm. If you get there early the rooms in the B&Bs will not usually be ready till midday so you can leave your luggage at the guesthouse and explore this bustling town. You can then phone our bike mechanic and arrange a time to meet him to collect your bikes (these will already have been pre-booked for you ). The bikes will be in his private home located near your guesthouse. We will send you on a copy of your accommodation and contact details closer to the tour start. Don’t forget to bring all this with you as there will not be a copy in the guesthouse. Your route details and maps will be waiting for you in your guesthouse. If you have time you could visit Ross Castle a wonderfully restored 16th Century Norman Tower House overlooking Lough Leane. You can even hire a boat from here and row out to
Day 2 Sunday: Killarney to Sneem 29 ml/47 km
The tour starts off by following a cycle track into the beautiful grounds of Muckross House. Located on the grounds is a Franciscan Abbey founded in the 15th Century. It is now in ruins but is beautifully situated with a large yew tree rising up through the cloisters. After a stroll around the celebrated Muckross gardens there follows a wonderful cycle along a quiet path between two of the Killarney lakes before you return to the main road. A steady climb up to Molls Gap is rewarded with a delicious lunch in the Restaurant with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon you sweep down through more breathtaking scenery to the picturesque village of Sneem.
Day 3 Monday: Sneem to Glenbeigh 32 ml/ 51 km
Avoiding the main Ring of Kerry road you cycle across the peninsula. Passing along quiet country roads with stunning views of the surrounding mountains we climb to the beautiful Gap of Ballaghbearna and descend the other side into another valley with views of Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain. After lunch there is a wonderful cycle through quiet fields and over old stone bridges before coming to Caragh Lake. Following the lakeside you then head west to the seaside village of Glenbeigh where you spend the night in a comfortable Hotel.
Day 4 Tuesday: Glenbeigh to Dingle 30 ml/47 km
You start the day with a taxi ride (with the same person that is transferring your luggage and bikes) to Dingle where you will be based for the next two nights. The taxi will bring you to Dingle where you get back on the bikes, you then follow the Slea Head Circular Route around the tip of the Dingle peninsula. This is one of the highlights of the tour with a wide variety of archaeological sites to visit along the route and some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in the country.
Day 5 Wednesday: Rest Day in Dingle
A wide variety of activities can be organised from the town. You can join an archaeological bus tour of the peninsula or you can swap your bike saddle for a horse saddle and go horse riding. There are boat trips to the largest of the Blasket islands with its wonderful walking trails offering the most magnificent views of Dingle Bay. You can also take a boat trip to see "Fungi", the Dingle Dolphin, or simply potter around the town with its many shops and aquarium. Finally for those with stiff limbs there is also a massage centre in which to pamper yourself!
Day 6 Thursday: Dingle to Killorglin 43 ml/69 km
The morning starts with a long steady climb up to the Conor Pass with its stunning views of Mount Brandon and the coastline in the distance. There follows a wonderful descent and then a nice flat cycle along the coast to the village of Camp where you can stop for lunch. In the afternoon you head straight into the mountains and traverse the peninsula heading up over one side of the mountains to magnificent views of the other side of the peninsula with Dingle Bay and Ireland’s highest mountain range stretching out in front of you. You then descend down the other side and cycle the final stretch to our night stop in Killorglin and an evening of traditional music.
Day 7 Friday: Killorglin to Killarney 40 ml/64 km
Our first destination is Kate Kearney’s Cottage where you can stop for a cup of tea. You then enter the final highlight of the tour, the Gap of Dungloe a place you will never forget. Coming out of the gap you have an incredible view looking down the Black Valley before following a small quiet route through a peaceful valley surrounded by green fields full of grazing sheep. You climb out of the valley to return to Molls Gap where you had lunch on the first day. After lunch there is a wonderful freewheel back down to Killarney.
Day 8 Saturday: Departure
After breakfast you are free to head home.