West Cork and Kerry

Introduction
Kerry Ireland

This tour covers some of the most spectacular scenery that Ireland has to offer.  Shortly after leaving Killarney you will find yourself cycling between the majestic lakes that have made this area so famous to be shortly followed by a climb up to Molls Gap with its wonderful views of the Macgillycuddyreeks, Ireland’s highest mountain range.  The rest of the week involves more of the same stunning scenery with a wonderful coastal cycle along Kenmare Bay.  We then spend two days exploring the relatively unknown  Beara peninsula which we feel offers some of the best scenery you will ever see in Ireland.  On the rest day we relax in the fishing village of Castletownbere where you can take a boat ride to Bere Island or cycle out to the ruins of nearby Dunboy Castle.  Towards the end of the week we head inland and stay at a beautiful Lakeside retreat at the source of the River Lee.  On the final day we cycle up over the wild and isolated hills of the Coolea region before returning to Killarney.   The roads are all tarmaced and the route is designed to ensure that you spend most of the week on quiet back roads, away from the main tourist routes.  The emphasis of our cycling holidays is to give you the freedom to fully enjoy Kerry and its beautiful landscape at your own pace whilst having the security of knowing there is a support van there if you might ever need it.  During the day you can be an independent traveller, genuinely experiencing all the sights and sounds of hidden Ireland on routes most tourists never get to see, while in the evening over a delicious meal you can share your days experience with a group of like-minded people from all over the world.   Self Guided Option is available

Accomodation

Tour Accommodation:    

Is on a twin sharing basis in a mixture of family run hotels and guest houses with breakfasts  included.  Upon booking we need to know whether sharing will be on a twin (two beds) or double (one big bed) basis.  Due to the isolated nature of several of the places we stay in, we cannot guarantee the availability of single room accommodation. For people coming on their own we will twin share them with another single person on the tour.  In exceptional cases we may be able to provide a single room at a supplement for the week.  
 

Extra Accommodation: 

We can arrange additional accommodation either before or after the tour for you -prices are on request.

Meals:  The guide will recommend a lunch stop each day where a snack lunch will cost between €8 and €12. A group evening meal is organised by the guide each night which costs between €20 and €30. One evening meal during the tour is included in the tour price

Riding

Itinerary

DAY 1     SATURDAY       KILLARNEY
The cycling safari starts with a meeting of the group at 6:30pm in the lounge of the Arbutus Hotel.  This is a meeting point only,  you are not actually staying here.  After an introductory talk from the guide, an evening meal is organised in the hotel, while your luggage is transported to our nearby guesthouse(s). If you get there early you can leave your luggage with the hotel reception  and 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.   
DAY 2   SUNDAY   KILLARNEY TO KENMARE         23 miles / 37 km
The tour 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.
DAY 3   MONDAY     KENMARE TO EYRIES      31 miles / 49.5km
We  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.  That night we stay in the picturesque village of  Eyeries with its small bright coloured houses.  We have dinner that evening in our guesthouses before heading to one of the little pubs in the village for a nightcap.
DAY 4   TUESDAY      EYRIES TO CASTLETOWNBERE      32 miles / 52km
In the morning we cycle the  highlight of the tour, the Beara Peninsula, with its twisted mountainscapes and breathtaking coastal scenery all the way to our lunch stop in the village of Allihies.  Here 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 we continue cycling around the peninsula with more wonderful views of  the ocean.  You have the option of detouring 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 detour you can then return back to the main road and continue cycling all the way to the lively town of Castletownbere where we will spend the next two nights. 
DAY 5   WEDNESDAY         REST DAY IN CASTLETOWNBERE
A wide variety of activities can be organised from the town.  You can take a ferry across to Bere Island and spend the day exploring it by bike.  You can also visit the nearby ruins of Dunboy Castle and Puxley Manor located in a wonderful setting by the sea., a nice place to spend the day with a picnic and a good book.  Finally for those who are feeling fit there is a challenging hike up the Hungry Hill offering the most spectacular views of Bantry Bay.  If you are interested in doing this bring proper hiking boots and some warm weather gear.  Alternatively you could just spend the afternoon pottering around the village.
DAY 6   THURSDAY     
CASTLETOWNBERE  TO GOUGANE BARRA          44 miles / 70kms
In  the morning we cycle along the shores of Bantry Bay one of the deepest natural harbours in Europe.  After lunch in the village of Glengarriff 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!
DAY 7   FRIDAY   
GOUGANE BARRA  TO KILLARNEY               35 miles / 57 kms
For the last day we cycle up into the Coolea region  via remote, peaceful mountain roads where you can really feel you are away from it all. We stop for a cup of  tea at Irelands Highest Pub before descending back down into Killarney where we meet for a farewell night on the town together before heading our separate ways the following morning.
DAY 8  SATURDAY
After breakfast you are free to head your separate ways.

Note: The recommended route involves a total distance of 182 miles / 291 kms.  There are a number of hills on the route but you have all day to do the cycling.  You will be provided with a more comprehensive route description and map at the start of the tour. There is an option each day for a variety of longer routes which will be indicated by dotted lines on the route map. With the exception of the roads in and out of Killarney, the traffic on the route should be quite light. You should, however, cycle carefully at all times,  especially when going downhill or during any rain showers. 

Starting times:      

Each of the tours start with a meeting of the group at 6.30pm on the Saturday evening in a central hotel close to the local train and bus station.  This is only a meeting point,  typically the group will be staying in nearby guesthouses.   The guide is able to return to the meeting place at 9.30pm again that evening.  After an introductory talk the guide will organise an evening meal and direct clients to their first nights bed & breakfast accommodation.

For those arriving unexpectedly late they can phone our office number in Dublin and the guides’ mobile phone number will be on our answering machine.

The bicycles:      

We supply  21 speed hybrid touring bikes for the tours.    
Repair equipment, helmets (for guided tours only) and front handlebar pannier bag are available for each client. 

Clients are required to take due care of any rented equipment (includes bike,  panniers,  tool kits and helmets), we reserve the right to charge for any damages caused due to loss or negligence. 

Distances:      

The average cycling distance is an easy 30 – 40 miles  (48- 64 km) with longer routes being available most days. The safaris are suitable for adults of all ages and fitness levels but the tours are not suited for children under 13 years of age.  
There are a number of hills on the route but you have all day to do the cycling.  You will be provided with a more comprehensive route description and map at the start of the tour.  There is an option each day for a variety of longer routes. With the exception of the roads in and out of Killarney, the traffic on the route should be quite light.  You should however cycle carefully at all times, especially when going downhill.

The Group, Guide and Back-Up Support
The group size varies from 12 to 20 people . Each group is lead by a local guide driving a support van. She/He will  sweep during the day to check on cyclists. In the afternoon they will be gone for about two hours to leave the  luggage off at your accommodation therefore may not be on hand to give you a lift, but there is no rush; you have all day to complete the ride. As soon as the guide has delivered the luggage to your accommodation they will  sweep back to do a final check on cyclists.
Our aim is to allow you feel like an independent traveller, free to cycle each day at your own pace while at the same time having the security of knowing that a support van is nearby just in case you might need it.  Most importantly,  our guide is there to  help in whatever way possible so that  all you have to do is leave your worries behind and enjoy  the many wonderful experiences that this cycling holiday  has to offer.

Rates and Dates for West Cork and Kerry

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Killarney
Airport: Shannon, Cork
Transfer: Killarney

Climate: