Ring Of Kerry
The Ring of Kerry abounds in natural wonders and the beauty and grandeur of the scenery is unsurpassed by any in Ireland. Starting in the town of Killarney made famous by the magnificent "Three Lakes of Killarney" the "Ring" then continues anti-clockwise through Killorglin, Caherciveen, on to Waterville and Sneem before returning to Killarney.
We, however, find this route to be "over-run" with tourists and therefore unkind to cycles so for that reason we suggest a much more leisurely and quieter mix of inland and coastal routes to give you just the same beauty and splendour if not more !
BIKE INCLUDED
Region : Ireland
Duration : 8 Days / 7 Nights
Level :
or 
Type : On the way
Category : Bike
Trip : Self-guided
Activity : Hybrid
Dates : Starts any day
Click below to see hotels versions.
Day 1 : Arrival in Killarney
Distance 1 : 13 Miles - 21 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 178 Meters
Arrive in Killarney and check into your B&B. You will go to a bike shop to be fitted with your bike by a professional and ensure everything is perfect with the bikes before starting. We will meet you at your accommodation and go through the orientation. If you have time take the short circular cycle to Killarney National Park where you have the chance to see both the 15th Century Muckross Abbey and the 19th Century Muckross house with its wonderful Gardens. Taking time to enjoy this iconic landscape as you cycle around Muckross lake one of the famous 3 lakes of Killarney. Following your cycle return to Killarney to enjoy this vibrant town for your first overnight stop.
Accommodation : Abbey Lodge - "Killarney"
Accommodation : Randles Hotel - "Killarney"
Day 2 : Killarney to Glenbeigh
Distance 1 : 28 Miles - 45 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 467 Meters
Leaving Killarney you'll cycle west under the foothills of Ireland's highest mountain, Carrantuohill, around the beautiful Caragh Lake before heading to the picturesque village of Glenbeigh and your overnight stop.
Accommodation : Towers Hotel - "Glenbeigh"
Accommodation : Towers Hotel - "Glenbeigh"
Day 3 : Glenbeigh to Caherciveen
Distance 1 : 24 Miles - 39 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 410 Meters
Heading west from Glenbeigh, today’s route takes you to the peaceful and tranquil shores of Kells Bay. From here you continue on west with the opportunity to see two ancient stone forts dating back to the Bronze Age. These Forts are what gave your home for the next two nights the town of Cahersiveen its name. Take in the ancient history and wonderful culture of this area before finishing the days cycle in the town of Caherciveen overlooking Valentia Island.
Accommodation : B&B San Antoine - "Cahersiveen"
Accommodation : QC's Townhouse - "Cahersiveen"
Day 4 : Rest day
Today you have a free day. You can arrange a boat trip to the famous 6th century Skellig Island or as an option if the weather does not allow you to take the ferry over to Valentia Island and cycle around this lovely little island that is steeped in history. A hike option will also be available.
Accommodation : B&B San Antoine - "Cahersiveen"
Accommodation : QC's Townhouse - "Cahersiveen"
Day 5 : CAHERCIVEEN TO BLACKSTONES BRIDGE
Distance 1 : 24 Miles - 39 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 594 Meters
From Caherciveen, today’s cycle takes you on one of the most glorious routes imaginable an inland trip through the Inny Valley. As you wind your way through this wonderful landscape and over the legendary Ballaghisheen pass the views that meet you are as majestic as the valley that sweeps away below you. Your day will finish on the banks of the Blackstones River as you settle in for a night of home cooked Irish food and relax to the sounds of the babbling water
Accommodation : Blackstones House B&B - "Glencar"
Accommodation : Blackstones House B&B - "Glencar"
Day 6 : BLACKSTONES BRIDGE TO KENMARE
Distance 1 : 25 Miles - 41 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 594 Meters
Continuing through the Heartland of Kerry you will enjoy the views across the Brida Valley as you meander your way along the quite country roads to the spectacular Ballaghbeama Gap. Cycle through Irish peatland following the Blackwater River and enjoying the vista across Kenmare bay. Your day’s adventure finishes in the beautiful town of Kenmare where you can enjoy one of the many top class restaurants or cosy pubs this town has to offer.
Accommodation : Kenmare House B&B - "Kenmare"
Accommodation : Brook Lane Hotel - "Kenmare"
Day 7 : Kenmare to Killarney
Distance 1 : 30 Miles - 48 Km
Elevation gain 1 : 620 Meters
Today you cycle along backroads to the famous Molls Gap offering wonderful views over the spectacular Three Lakes of Killarney. From here you continue cycling to the Black valley and through the renowned Gap of Dunloe. This Glaciated Valley is truly one of Ireland’s most magnificent places to cycle with the sheer jagged rock faces towering above you as you meander around the many glacial lakes dotted through the valley. Your Irish cycling adventure returns you to Killarney for your final night and a fitting farewell to this memorable holiday.
Accommodation : Abbey Lodge - "Killarney"
Accommodation : Randles Hotel - "Killarney"
Day 8 :
Departure after your breakfast
After a final breakfast and farewell you leave your bicycle behind you and follow your own arrangements for your onward journey. According to your program, we can arrange accommodations and transportation before or after your tour.
Click below to see hotels versions.
Day : 1, 7
Our B&B boasts 15 luxurious bedrooms with private bathroom, TV, direct dial telephone, power showers, trouser press. The house is tastefully decorated throughout and features many interesting antiques and art. All guestrooms are spacious, en-suite with direct dial telephone, television and trouser press. The accent is on friendly personal service backed by the highest standards throughout. Abbey Lodge is close to Killarney Town Centre, a good base for touring the Ring of Kerry or exploring the Killarney National Park and convenient for the INEC - just a short distance along the Muckross Road.
Day : 2
Established in 1895, the family run Towers Hotel is located in the heart of the picturesque village of Glenbeigh. Situated on the famous Ring of Kerry and just 2 kilometres from the sandy beach at Rossbeigh the Towers is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the splendour of one the most amazing parts of Ireland.
Day : 3, 4
San Antoine on the Wild Atlantic Way and The Ring of Kerry is a family run business with over 60 years in the hospitality industry, your hosts Alan & Ann Landers are the second generation of the Landers family offering all our guests the personal touch with directions and advice on what to do and see in the South West area. Cahersiveen is an ideal location to explore and use as a base while you travel on the Wild Atlantic Way. The Iveragh Peninsula offers some of the most breath-taking scenery as you travel around the Ring of Kerry.
Day : 5
Breda and Padraig Breen welcome you to their Bed and Breakfast and Self-Catering accommodation. Blackstones B&B and Holiday Home Accommodation are situated at the foot of Carrauntuohill, Ireland’s highest mountain, scenically situated besides Blackstones Bridge near Lickeen Wood.
Day : 6
Exceptional accommodation in Kenmare with private offstreet parking.Kenmare House offers quality, good value accommodation in an ideal location on the Ring Of Kerry Road(N70).Kenmare Town centre is only a 7 minute walk on footpath/pavement with street lights.?Kenmare is special, enjoying the unique location of being the only town that is on both the famous Ring of Kerry and the beautiful Ring Of Beara, making it the ideal touring base.There are 6 spacious ensuite bedrooms. One ground floor with bathtubs and showers. Colour TV, tea/coffee making facilities, hair dryers and electric blankets for early and late season. Wi-fi available in bedrooms.We offer an extensive breakfast menu with fresh ground coffee and home baking from our dining room which overlooks a lovely garden.Breakfast is served in our spacious dining room overlooking the garden.
Day : 1, 7
The Randles Hotel Killarney offers 4 Star accommodation in Killarney and is ideally located, just five minutes’ walk from Killarney Town Centre. This unique Kerry Hotel has been welcoming guests since 1906. Famous for its Irish hospitality, guests will enjoy the comfort and elegance of an era long since passed complemented by the most modern of facilities. We invite you to unwind in our luxurious, spacious guest rooms, enjoy fine dining in a choice of Killarney restaurants, relax in our Drawing Room, Conservatory or Terraced Garden, spend some downtime in our Leisure Club or for pure indulgence pay a visit to our Zen Day Spa for a luxurious spa break in Killarney.
Day : 2
Established in 1895, the family run Towers Hotel is located in the heart of the picturesque village of Glenbeigh. Situated on the famous Ring of Kerry and just 2 kilometres from the sandy beach at Rossbeigh the Towers is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the splendour of one the most amazing parts of Ireland.
Day : 3, 4
Located in the centre of Caherciveen on the Ring of Kerry, QC’s Seafood Restaurant has been long established as the destination restaurant to experience when visiting Kerry. The philosophy of the owners, Kate and Andrew Cooke is to serve only fresh, wild Irish local fish, supplied by the family company, Quinlan’s Kerry Fish. QC’s menu features ultra-fresh seafood with a good choice of daily blackboard specials. Mouth-watering offerings include crabs claws and crab meat, sizzling Dingle Prawns and baby squid every day. Head Chef Eddie Gannon and his dedicated team have created top class dishes that will amaze every diner.
Day : 5
Breda and Padraig Breen welcome you to their Bed and Breakfast and Self-Catering accommodation. Blackstones B&B and Holiday Home Accommodation are situated at the foot of Carrauntuohill, Ireland’s highest mountain, scenically situated besides Blackstones Bridge near Lickeen Wood.
Day : 6
Brook Lane is a family run 4 star boutique hotel, it’s small, quirky, staff are friendly and local, design is contemporary, hospitality is instinctive and the atmosphere is easygoing, all just a short walk from the pretty town of Kenmare on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Bikes available for your tour |
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On this tour we offer you to have the Specialised Sirrus Sport Hybrid. The Sirrus Sport Disc with fitness geometry provides flat bar handling so you can ride faster on longer rides with stability and comfort. The hydraulic disc brakes mean you’ll have confidence to ride regardless of the weather or what you are carrying on your racks.
Hybrid bike - Standard
SPECIALIZED SIRRUS SPORT - ( or equivalent) INCLUDED 
Tackle anything with the Giant Twist, no more groaning as hills are flattened – assisted pedal power is the future of uncomplicated mobility. The all-new Twist Lite features a new slimmer front hub motor, an ALUXX Aluminium frame and internal power cable routing – control, speed and safety are quite literally no sweat.
Electric assist bike - Standard
GIANT ELECTRIC TWIST - ( or equivalent) with supplement (280€) |
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The characteristics of this bike are presented as an example and are not guaranteed Please note that any bike changes during the trip may incur an extra fee. |
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Hybrid bike - Standard
SPECIALIZED SIRRUS SPORT - ( or equivalent)
INCLUDED
On this tour we offer you to have the Specialised Sirrus Sport Hybrid. The Sirrus Sport Disc with fitness geometry provides flat bar handling so you can ride faster on longer rides with stability and comfort. The hydraulic disc brakes mean you’ll have confidence to ride regardless of the weather or what you are carrying on your racks.
Accessories
INCLUDED
Roadbook for Discovery allows you to travel freely with all the information you need for your trip: Stages, points of interest, itineraries with interactive guidance, travel documents.
All in offline mode, you download your file before leaving, then you have all the information necessary for your trip. (Phone not provided).
INCLUDED
Our roadbooks are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that we have planned and laid out. We have invested significant time and incorporated the feedback of our customers over many years (since 1997!) to make our roadbooks even better. Our roadbooks include: color maps, highlighted routes, touristic information, orientation points to reach hotels, and easy to follow step by step directions (cue-sheets). Please note that for custom itineraries you will not have cue sheets. Only maps and GPS routes.
INCLUDED
Our Travelbooks are complete packages of information that will help you to guide yourself through the itinerary that we have planned and laid out. You will find information about the hotels, itinerary, regional informations...
Included
- 7 nights Hotels or Bed and Breakfast with private shower and/or bath
- Daily full Irish Breakfast
- Hybrid bike rental included
- Orientation in person with our local guide
- Detailed ROAD BOOK, including details maps, touristic information, step by step itinerary and cue sheets
- Guidance Application (phone not provided)
- All luggage transfers
- Comprehensive trip literature
- Technical and emergency support available at all times
What's not included
- Airfare to and from the trip
- Lodging before and after the trip
- Drinks
- Some meals are not included in each destination, which gives you the opportunity to explore regional cuisine on your own. You will find all information needed with our team support in your roadbook.
Informations & Recommendations
To travel to Killarney from all the major Irish Airports is very easy as it is on all the major bus and train routes.
To give you an idea here are the times of driving as per Bus Eireann:
- Killarney - Shannon Airport - 3hrs 20mins approximately
- Killarney - Cork Airport - 2hrs 15mins approximately
Tour rates
Contact our tour consultants for more information and an exact rate based upon your travel dates.
| Price from* & per person | Double occupancy | Single supplement (traveling with a group) | Solo traveler (traveling alone) |
| Standard | 1265 € | 210 € | 1765 € |
Accessories
| Accessories | |
| Guidance Application | Included |
| Biking Roadbook | Included |
| Travelbook | Included |
Bikes available
| Bikes available | Options per person |
| Electric assist bike | |
| Standard | 280 € |
Please note that any bike changes during the trip may incur an extra fee.
Services available
| Services available | |
| Cancelation insurance | 6% |
Hartnett
United States
Everything is going super, love the back roads. It did Rain today when biking but yesterday was sunny warm just beautiful landscapes forecast is looking good. By the way, Morris is really, really top notch. From bikes to routes and baggage transfer. This is my 14th bike trip in Europe so I have much perspective in saying that.
United States
Everything about the tour was professional from start to finish. Preceding our departure made the preparations easy for us. The D. F. contact in Killarney was punctual and articulate,everything was explain clearly including the tour book, maps, and GPS. He then accompanied us to the bike shop to make sure our bicycles were the right fit. The GPS system was easy to use and extremely accurate. If we took a wrong turn the arrow pointed backwards. The B & B's were comfortable and accommodating with pleasant rooms and copious meals. I would recommend this trip enthusiastically to anyone wanting an intimate acquaintance with the Irish country side. We thank you again for the part you played in making it all possible,
Casual : Beginners and occasional cyclists. Easiest tours we provide. Typically flatter terrain, no notable hills or anything of a steep gradient.
Hobby : Weekend riders. People with some cycling experience, rolling countryside, possible short climbs.
Active : Cyclists with experience on longer rides. Hilly terrain with reasonable amount of climbs and difficulty
Pro : Avid cyclists, ride every week and love long and challenging rides. Dream on riding the Tour de France cols.
Comparison chart : (15km/hrs)
| Average dist (miles) | Average dist (km) | Elevation max/day (m) | Average hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual |
< 28 | < 45 | < 300m | 3-4 |
| Hobby |
18 - 35 | 30 - 55 | 300-550m | 3-5 |
| Active |
30 - 60 | 50 - 100 | 550-1000m | 4-6 |
| Pro |
> 60 | > 100 | > 1000m | > 5 |
Some of our tours can be in 2 different level, we have itinerary for both versions
Casual : Beginners and occasional hikers. Typically flatter terrain with just rolling hills.
Hobby : Weekend hikers. People with some experience hiking around trails.
Active : Hikers with experience on longer hikes. Hilly terrain with some steep gradients.
Pro : Randonneurs avides, randonnée chaque semaine et adore les longues et difficiles randonnées.
Comparison chart : (4km/hrs)
| Average dist (miles) | Average dist (km) | Elevation max/day (m) | Average hours | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casual |
< 6 | < 10 | < 150m | 2.5 |
| Hobby |
6 - 9 | 10 - 15 | 150-300m | 25-375 |
| Active |
9 - 11 | 11 - 18 | 300-450m | 3.75 - 4.5 |
| Pro |
> 11 | > 18 | > 450m | 4.5-6 |
Some of our tours can be in 2 different level, we have itinerary for both versions