Ring of Kerry Cycling Tour

Arrive in the town of Killarney, one of Ireland’s most popular destinations for travellers across the globe. This is a perfect starting point for your County Kerry journey!

Check into your accommodations, then collect your bikes (if renting) along with your information pack. The day is yours to settle in and explore Killarney. If you’re keen to start cycling, head down to the famed Muckross House mansion on the edge of Killarney National Park before looping back into town.

Today is your first day on the Ring of Kerry! Head out westward along the north shores of Lough Leane, Killarney’s largest lake. Cycle through the foothills of Carrauntoohill, the tallest mountain in all of Ireland, reaching over a kilometre into the sky.

You’ll cruise around the edge of beautiful Caragh Lake before arriving in the town of Glenbeigh, your home for the night. Flanked by rivers and surrounded by hills, this is a picturesque taste of what’s to come!

Continue westward along the Ring, the North Atlantic Ocean never far away. Pass through the lovely shores of Kells Bay, offering an excellent beach with great vistas of the Dingle Peninsula across the water.

The day ends in Caherciveen, where you’ll spend the next two nights. Enjoy the views over nearby Valentia Island, chock-full of intriguing history to discover.

Today is a free day to explore this stunning coastal region to your heart’s content! Top of the list is Valentia Island – a ferry from Reenard Point will get you there in mere minutes. Bring your bike as there’s plenty to discover.

Historical intrigue abounds on this island. Dive into tales of the Knights of Kerry, who’ve called the island home since the turn of the 19th century. This pales in comparison to the “Tetrapod Tracks” on Valentia’s north coast. These footprints were left by a creature leaving the ocean for life on land some 360 million years ago!

Loop back onto the mainland via the road bridge on the island’s south shore, where the village of Portmagee makes for a lovely lunch stop. Don’t miss a visit to the Kerry Cliffs towering a thousand feet above the wild Atlantic. On a clear day, you can spot the faraway Skellig Islands, where memorable scenes from the new Star Wars films were captured.

A stunning day unfolds as you turn back to the east and work inland through the Inny Valley. This is a lush landscape full of forested hills and winding rivers. Conquer the Ballaghisheen Pass, magnificent views stretching in all directions.

Your day concludes in Sneem. Leave your bikes at the B&B and stroll around this serene landscape, checking out the old stone bridge built over the water. A relaxing evening of hearty Irish cuisine and the sounds of nature provide the perfect end to the day’s adventure.

Head south through the Bridia Valley, where rural Ireland shines in all its glory. Ride through the Ballaghbeama Gap, a narrow track cut through the mountains providing the rush of true exploration! Follow the Blackwater River across Irish peatland until you reach the shores of tranquil Kenmare Bay.

The town of Kenmare at the bay’s head is your destination for the night. With its strategic position near two of Ireland’s most popular loops, it boasts some exceptional restaurants and pubs to enjoy.

It’s your final day on the Ring! The trip back to Killarney is full of outstanding sights and scenery. Cycle through the mountain pass of Moll’s Gap, where breathtaking views of Killarney’s Three Lakes greet you.

Continue through the Black Valley and tackle your final challenge, the Gap of Dunloe, formed thousands of years ago by a glacial breach. Then, you’ll coast down into Killarney. Take plenty of stops to soak it all in!

Time to depart from County Kerry. Check out of your accommodations, leave your bicycles behind (if renting), and embark on your next adventure.