West Cork & Kerry 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. 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. 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 a 6th Century monastic site located on one of the nearby islands . Ross Castle is about 1.5 miles from the town.
Day 2 Sunday: Killarney to Kenmare 23 ml/37 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 a restaurant with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon sweep down to the picturesque seaside town of Kenmare. There are longer cycles available if you fancy stretching your legs this afternoon.
Day 3 Monday: Kenmare to Castletownbere 32 ml/51 km
You follow a spectacular coast road hugging Kenmare Bay with its wonderful views of the MacGillikuddy Reeks Mountains, before stopping for lunch at a small pub overlooking the bay. In the afternoon you can visit the nearby Dereen Gardens with its amazing variety of flora. Leaving the Gardens you cycle west where you can visit an ancient stone circle or explore the beautiful scenery and quiet back roads of the Beara Way. Castletownbere, where you will spend the next two nights, is nestled at the foot of the Cahas Mountains and is Ireland’s largest white fish port.
Day 4 Tuesday: Beara Peninsula 25 ml/40 km
Today’s cycle is a circular route, taking in the Beara Peninsula, one of the week’s highlights, with its twisted mountainscapes and breathtaking coastal scenery. You begin by retracing your route to Eyeries; from here, to your lunch-stop in Allihies, you can really feel you are away from it all, experiencing an undiscovered part of Ireland well away from some of the bustling tourist routes. After lunch you continue cycling around the peninsula with more wonderful views of the ocean. You have the option of detouring off the main route for a scenic bike ride to the crossing point for Dursey Island, which can be reached by catching a ride on the only cable car in Ireland. After this interesting detour you return back to the main road and continue on towards Castletownbere, passing the entrance for Dunboy Castle, which is well worth a visit.
Day 5 Wednesday: Castletownbere to Glengariff 22 ml/35 km
Today’s cycle is along the shores of Bantry Bay, one of the deepest natural harbours in Europe. Glengariff, meaning “Rugged Glen” occupies a beautifully sheltered position, surrounded by mountains which, together with its mild climate, permits a variety of luxuriant plants to grow. Located just outside Glengarriff is Garnish Island, which was transformed between 1910 and 1913 from a bare limestone rock into a luxuriant garden island, known worldwide for its huge selection of plants and its Italian Garden full of exotic plants. A local regular ferry service provides a non-stop ferry service to the island, as well as water tours of Glengariff Harbour.
Day 6 Thursday: Glengarriff to Gougane Barra 21 ml/34 km
Today you head inland and cycle along quiet country roads with rolling fields dotted with grazing cattle and sheep, before arriving at the lakeside retreat of Gougane Barra, Ireland’s first National Park and the source of the River Lee. This is a beautiful peaceful place and an ideal setting for your last night in the countryside before you head back to the hustle and bustle of the great metropolis of Killarney!
Day 7 Friday: Gougane Barra to Killarney 35 ml/57 km
For the last day you cycle up into the Coolea region via remote, peaceful mountain roads where you can really feel you are away from it all. You can stop for a cup of tea at Ireland’s highest pub (Creedons) before descending back down into Killarney where you will overnight on the last night of your tour.
Day 8 Saturday: Departure Day
After breakfast you are free to head home.