County Kerry Self-Guided Cycling
Start: Killarney Finish: Killarney
Duration: 6 Nights
Physical rating: Moderate
Special diets catered: Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour Operator: Exodus
Age range: 12 to 99
Tour operated in: English
Prices From:
Tour Overview
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.
Highlights
The Ring of Kerry - the 'real' Ireland, away from the crowds in beautiful scenery- This trip is also available as a seven-night tour, staying two nights at Killarney at the beginning of the holiday
- 10,000 years of dramatic history - an early Celtic tribe settled in the area around 300BC
- Our cycle routes feature a quieter mix of inland and coastal routes
- The Gap of Dunloe - a magnificent glaciated valley
- The stunning Three Lakes of Killarney in Killarney National Park - look out for native red deer
Places You'll See
Countries:
Itinerary
Day 1
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*Arrive in Killarney*
Check into your B&B and then explore the town, choosing from one of its many restaurants for dinner or enjoying some live music. *(Staying at the Killarney Lodge)*
Day 2
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KILLARNEY TO GLENBEIGH
Meals: 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. *(Staying at the Towers Hotel)*
Day 3
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GLENBEIGH TO CAHERSIVEEN
Meals: 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). *(Staying at the Ring of Kerry Hotel)*
Day 4
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CAHERSIVEEN TO BLACKSTONES BRIDGE
Meals: breakfast
Leaving Cahersiveen on the old road you'll pass the ruins of Daniel O'Connell's birth home, before heading back inland where you'll see ruined abbeys and ancient graveyards. After a short descent, a climb up and over the stunning Ballaghasheen Pass will reward you with views back to Killarney and Ireland's highest mountain. A long descent on narrow roads alongside a gushing river takes you to Blackstones Bridge and your quirky and welcoming B&B for the night. *(Staying at the Blackstones House)*
Day 5
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BLACKSTONES BRIDGE TO KENMARE
Meals: breakfast
Another stunning rural ride today as you head up and over the spectacular Ballaghbeama Gap; you are more likely to encounter sheep on the roads than vehicles. The road takes you through boulder-strewn countryside, cycling by small lakes, following the Blackwater River. Your day finishes in the beautiful town of Kenmare, also called 'the gateway to Kerry', and your luxury guesthouse for the night. *(Staying at Rockcrest House, B&B)*
Day 6
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KENMARE TO KILLARNEY
Meals: 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 C15 Ross Castle, before returning to your B&B for your last night (and perhaps a final Guinness). *(Staying at the Killarney Lodge)*
Day 7
:
LEAVE KILLARNEY
Meals: breakfast
We take you to Killarney Station for your onward journey, or perhaps enjoy extra nights in Killarney to finish your trip.
What's Included
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GPS device
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All breakfasts
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Luggage transfers
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Route maps
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High quality bike with panniers
What's Not Included
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Single supplements
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Arrival and departure transfers (pre-bookable for a supplement.)
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Travel insurance
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Visas and vaccinations
Food
All breakfasts 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.
Your Peace of Mind Options
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a deposit of 20% to secure a place on this tour, and the final balance is not due till 70 days before departure..
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Secure payments
All payments to TourHub are deposited into an externally regulated Trust account.