County Kerry Self-Guided Cycling
County Kerry Self-Guided Cycling
County Kerry Self-Guided Cycling
7 Days Starting and ending in Killarney
Visiting: Killarney, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Blackstones Bridge, Kenmare
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C06KE
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
Moderate
Age range:
12 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
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
Itinerary
Day 1 : *Arrive In Killarney*
Location: Killarney
Accommodation: Killarney Lodge
Meals Included: No Meals
Check into your B&B and then explore the town, choosing from one of its many
restaurants for dinner or enjoying some live music.
Day 2 : Killarney To Glenbeigh
Location: Killarney, Glenbeigh
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Towers Hotel
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.
Day 3 : Glenbeigh To Cahersiveen
Location: Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Ring of Kerry Hotel
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).
Day 4 : Cahersiveen To Blackstones Bridge
Location: Cahersiveen, Blackstones Bridge
Accommodation: Blackstones House
Meals Included: 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.Â
Day 5 : Blackstones Bridge To Kenmare
Location: Blackstones Bridge, Kenmare
Accommodation: Rockcrest House, B&B
Meals Included: 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.
Day 6 : Kenmare To Killarney
Location: Kenmare, Killarney
Accommodation: Killarney Lodge
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 C15 Ross Castle, before returning to
your B&B for your last night (and perhaps a final Guinness).
Day 7 : Leave Killarney
Location: Killarney
Meals Included: 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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Luggage transfers
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Route maps
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All breakfasts
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High quality bike with panniers
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GPS device
What's Not Included
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Arrival and departure transfers (pre-bookable for a supplement.)
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Visas and vaccinations
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Travel insurance
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Single supplements
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.
Accommodation
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.
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Only Luggage transfers
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
12+ age people can go on this tour.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews of this Operator
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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