West Cork and Kerry

On arrival in Killarney, you should make your way to your accommodation. The rooms in the B&Bs are not usually ready till midday, so, if you get there early, feel free to leave your luggage at the guesthouse and head out to explore this bustling town.

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.

The day 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 we 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 we sweep down to the picturesque seaside town of Kenmare.

There are longer cycles available if you fancy stretching your legs this afternoon.

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 we will spend the next two nights, is nestled at the foot of the Cahas Mountains.

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. We begin by retracing our route to Eyeries; from here, to our 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 can detour 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 detou,r you return back to the main road and continue on towards Castletownbere, passing the entrance for Dunboy Castle, which is well worth a visit.

In the morning you will get a transfer from Castletownbere to Bantry

You cycle along the shores of Bantry Bay, one of the deepest natural harbours in Europe. We will then make our way down the Sheepshead peninsula. This is one of the most remote places in Ireland.

The Peninsula offers fantastic views of the open Ocean and rolling landscape that give a feel that you are on a small island on the edge of the Atlantic. There is also an option to walk around the very end of the Peninsula.

Today we 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!

For the last day, you cycle up into the Coolea region via remote, peaceful mountain roads where you can feel you are away from it all.

You can stop for a cup of tea at Ireland’s Highest Pub before descending back down into Killarney for a final night on the town.

Departure from Killarney or spend extra nights in the city or the surrounding region.

Arrival: Killarney

Departure: Killarney

Nearest Arrival airport: Cork, Shannon or Kerry

Nearest Departure airport: Cork, Shannon or Kerry

We also recommend travelling by train or ferry to all cycling holiday starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Killarney by rail and ferry. Car parking is available on all tours at the first hotel or a nearby public parking location. Full details are available on request. Please do not book travel until an official invoice confirms the cycling holiday.