Dingle Peninsula Cycling Tour

Arrive in Tralee, the largest town in County Kerry. Located at the base of the Dingle Peninsula, this is the perfect place to begin your adventure!

Check into your accommodations, and if you’re renting bikes, they’ll be waiting there for your arrival. Enjoy an evening in Tralee. If you’re keen to get cycling, take a short loop out to the charming port of Fenit and back via the village of Ardfert. Don’t miss the latter’s newly restored cathedral, dedicated to Saint Brendan the Navigator, who was born nearby.

It’s time to set out on the Dingle Peninsula! Embark westward along the north coast, aiming for the village of Cloghane. Stunning views flank your route, with the Slieve Mish mountains to your left and sparkling Tralee Bay on your right.

On your way, you’ll pass through the village of Castlegregory, once described by none other than National Geographic as “the most beautiful place on Earth.” Not a bad place for a stop! Its broad sandy beaches are the perfect place to take in the crisp sea breeze.

Today is a fantastic journey across the peninsula, heading for the town that gives the region its name. The highlight of your ride is Conor’s Pass. This is one of Ireland’s highest paved mountain passes, with views that seem to stretch on forever. Many consider it among Ireland’s greatest drives.

The ascent is not long in distance, but with a steep gradient, this will likely be your most demanding section of the tour. The vistas are more than worth it! Your cruise down to Dingle is a triumphant ending to the day’s adventure. You’ll spend the next three nights in this picturesque town, a perfect hub for exploring the rest of the peninsula.

Time to go as far west as you possibly can! Ride to Slea Head, a point on the peninsula’s fringe with jaw-dropping views in all directions. On a clear day, you’ll spot the nearby Great Blasket Island, one of the area’s most famous attractions.

Continue from here to the harbour town of Dunquin. If you’d like, hop on a ferry here to Blasket Island (running April to September). This is a truly wild and special place. While now uninhabited, it birthed three of Ireland’s most notable authors.

If the islands aren’t for you, continue through Dunquin to Ballyferriter and finally back to Dingle for the evening.

Today is a free day to enjoy Dingle and its surroundings any way you please! If you didn’t have a chance to visit the Blasket Islands yesterday, this is the perfect opportunity to make your visit. Or you can spend the day in town, checking out the shops, art galleries, restaurants, and pubs. Fresh seafood and live music are always around the corner. Kayaking along the coast is also a fantastic option.

If you do wish to fit in a cycle, head on a loop to the north coast of the peninsula, passing through the villages of Brandon Creek and Ballydavid before returning to Dingle.

It’s time to head back inland as you set out for the village of Inch and its sublime beach, one of the best in all of Ireland. The glittering Dingle Bay is always on your right, a constant view to enjoy. You have the option for a slight detour to Annascaul, home of the legendary explorer Tom Crean, who played a prominent role in humanity’s initial expeditions to the South Pole.

Inch Beach is no less than 5 km long, something you might not expect in Ireland! Perfect for a stroll, this is a lovely spot to wrap up your day.

It’s your final day on the road! Continue along the shoreline to the historical village of Castlemaine, with a harbour designated as a conservation area for water birds. Then turn northward, riding the “short mountain route” back into Tralee.

This final section of the route is full of historical tidbits – none more mythical than the alleged grave of Queen Scotia. Legend tells she was the daughter of an Egyptian pharaoh who travelled to Ireland nearly four thousand years ago to avenge her husband’s death. Quite a journey!

Time to depart County Kerry. Check out of your accommodations, leave your bicycles behind (if renting), and head out to wherever’s next.