Cycle the Highlights of Kerry
- Discover the Ring of Kerry’s charming coastal towns by bike
- Cycle to the colourful fishing villages on Valentia Island
- Enjoy freshly prepared Portmagee crab and juicy Dingle prawns
- Seek out the best Irish stew in the Killarney's lively pubs
- Ride through Killarney National Park and visit 15th century Ross Castle
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Killarney, transfer to CahersiveenThe thriving hub and gateway town to Ireland’s finest lakes and mountain scenery, Killarney, can be easily reached by train from Dublin in around 3 hours or Cork in 1hr 30mins.
From Killarney, you will be met and transferred to laid back town of Cahersiveen (1 hour journey). Located on the Ring of Kerry, Cahersiveen is a delightful town to explore. Birthplace of Daniel O’Connel, the Irish political leader, you can visit the 19th century church built in memorial to Daniel or take a stroll down to the beach. After visiting the bike rental shop for your fitting, sample local seafood dishes, such as Dingle prawns.
Quinlan & Cooke offers the ideal base for guests looking to explore Skellig Michael, Waterville and the Ring of Kerry, all of which are steeped in history, culture and rugged beauty. The family run townhouse offers 10 beautiful ensuite guestrooms and a luxurious suite, all individually decorated in a unique and quirky style.

This is a family run business with over 60 years in the hospitality industry. Your hosts Alan & Ann are the second generation of the Landers family offering visitors the personal touch.
Today, take a short ride to Reenard Point, after a visit to the bike rental shop if you didn't have time yesterday. A quick ferry hop (10min crossing) transfers you to the 19th century fishing village of Knightstown at the eastern tip of Valentia Island. From here, ride west to discover the charms and fascinating history of Valentia. Discover the 360 million year old tetrapod tracks, visit the 18th century Glanleam House (formerly a linen mill) or take a boat tour (no landing), to view the Skellig Islands. Rising out of the Atlantic, these sheer rock formations made the perfect setting for a Jedi Temple in the recent Star Wars films. Before heading back to Cahersiveen, be sure to try the famous Portmagee Crab in one of Knightstown’s cafes.
Quinlan & Cooke offers the ideal base for guests looking to explore Skellig Michael, Waterville and the Ring of Kerry, all of which are steeped in history, culture and rugged beauty. The family run townhouse offers 10 beautiful ensuite guestrooms and a luxurious suite, all individually decorated in a unique and quirky style.

This is a family run business with over 60 years in the hospitality industry. Your hosts Alan & Ann are the second generation of the Landers family offering visitors the personal touch.
Heading inland, the first half of today’s ride cycles through country lanes with views of Kell Mountain to the west and Bee Hill to the east. Joining the Ring of Kerry for a short section, you will soon head back onto country roads for a panoramic descent into Rossbeigh. Less than 5km from your overnight stay of Glenbeigh, it’s worth hopping off the bikes for a stroll along the beach and maybe a refreshing dip of the feet.

Kerry Ocean Lodge is a 20-room lodge providing B&B accommodation with some rooms having fantastic views of 6-mile long Rossbeigh Beach and the Seefin Mountains. Guest bedrooms are bright and spacious and have been tastefully decorated with pine floors and modern furnishings to ensure maximum comfort and relaxation. All rooms are en-suite, with TV, power shower, tea/ coffee making facilities and hairdryers.

Your hosts extend a warm welcome to this small traditional hotel. They have 12 well-appointed rooms and a bar and restaurant where you are sure to get a hearty meal and a drink and perhaps some live music!
An easy going ride this morning passes by the northern shores of Lough Caragh and to Kilorglin, home of Ireland’s oldest ’Puck Fair’. Legend has is that, that while English Roundheads were pillaging the countryside, a goat (puck) broke away from it’s herd and arrived on the banks of the River Laune in Kilorglin, alerting inhabitants of the imminent danger. A special fair was then created in the goat’s honour.
Beyond Killorglin a straightforward cycle heads into the heart of Killarney where you will spend the next 2 nights.

Maggie O’s is a luxurious bed and breakfast located in a quiet, and peaceful area just a 5 to 7 minute stroll from Killarney town centre. Enjoy contemporary and spacious ensuite bedrooms. Hostess Margaret Casey and family are always available to help you organise trips, tours, or visits to Killarney’s famous attractions.

Abbey Lodge is a family run, newly refurbished B&B located just a 3 minute walk from the town centre.

Killarney Lodge is a large four-star guesthouse superbly located in Killarney, minutes from the town centre and nearby train/bus station.
Owned and managed by the Treacy family – you are guaranteed the highest level of personal service. All visitors will appreciate the superb location, exceptional service and charming ambience, not to mention the finest home baking! Free wifi is available throughout the house.
Today is an optional ride. You can choose to explore Killarney and it’s National Park on foot or enjoy a ride along the shores of Lough Leane stopping off to visit the 15th century Ross Castle, built by the O’Donoghue clan. Cycle around Muckross Lake (where you may spot red deer) and visit Muckross House, built in 1843 for the Kerry MP Henry Herbert. Return to Killarney’s lively streets for a pint of Guinness and traditional slow cooked Irish stew.

Maggie O’s is a luxurious bed and breakfast located in a quiet, and peaceful area just a 5 to 7 minute stroll from Killarney town centre. Enjoy contemporary and spacious ensuite bedrooms. Hostess Margaret Casey and family are always available to help you organise trips, tours, or visits to Killarney’s famous attractions.

Abbey Lodge is a family run, newly refurbished B&B located just a 3 minute walk from the town centre.

Killarney Lodge is a large four-star guesthouse superbly located in Killarney, minutes from the town centre and nearby train/bus station.
Owned and managed by the Treacy family – you are guaranteed the highest level of personal service. All visitors will appreciate the superb location, exceptional service and charming ambience, not to mention the finest home baking! Free wifi is available throughout the house.
Depending on your onward travel plans, you may like to further explore Killarney, or add extra nights to further explore Kerry’s lakes and mountains.
Other Information
Is it for me?This tour is graded easy to moderate with each ride between 30-40km. Cycle across Kerry, Ireland’s finest lakeland region, ride along coastal roads and rolling country lanes. Spend each night in the heart of towns and villages located on the Ring of Kerry, where you can experience the famous Irish pub culture and watch traditional music being played. Dine on bowls of traditional stew, drink a pint of the black stuff and enjoy the warm welcome from your family run B&B.
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling
Solo Travellers
As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 12 Years
Graded easy to moderate, the cycling routes head along country and coastal lanes. You will experience some busier sections along the Ring of Kerry and when passing through towns and villages, so please do be mindful of other road users at all times. You will also enjoy some short sections on cycleways or cycle paths, but these are shared with other users.
During this trip you will stay in family-run B&B’s and a 3* hotel. Depending on the time of year you are travelling, you may be accommodated in a hotel or inn of equal standard, within the surrounding area. Examples of some of the typical hotels and B&B's used on this tour are listed below. All overnight stays are based on a standard room.
Additional nights
On this tour, you may like to add stay an extra night in Killarney. If you would like to add extra nights at any of the overnight stays on this tour, please let us know.
The detailed routes notes and maps are easy to follow during your self-guided adventure and we also supply GPX tracks via our easy to use Macs Adventure Navigation App, which make for an easy paper free ride. Please always pay attention to the advice on your navigation app and route notes provided.
- 4 Nights in B&B’s and 1 night in a 3* hotel
- 5 Breakfasts
- Baggage transfer
- Transfer from Killarney to Cahersiveen
- Information pack, and access to maps, route notes, GPX tracks on the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office
- Travel to / from Killarney
- Bike hire
- Lunches, dinners, snacks & drinks
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance (required)
- Additional nights along the route
- Bike hire
You can start your cycling adventure on any day from mid-April through to the end of September. This region of Ireland is particularly busy over the summer months, so if you are planning on travelling between June and August, it's probably wise to confirm your dates as soon as possible.
2018 departures are available from Saturday 11th August onwards. 2019 departures begin Mid-April.
For general travel planning, we recommend the helpful site www.rome2rio.com Â
Kerry Airport is served by a small number of airlines is only a 25 minute bus journey from Killarney
For a wider range of flight connections across Europe and North America, Cork, Shannon and Dublin Airports connect with Killarney via bus or train.
Cork Airport shuttle bus is a 20min journey to Cork Kent train station. Train services to Killarney are around 1hr30mins.
From Shannon Airport take a bus (approx. 2h50-3h40, via Limerick) to Killarney
Dublin Airport shuttle bus connects through to the Dublin Heuston Station in 20mins. Direct train services from here, reach Killarney in around 3hrs.
For bus timetables, Bus Eirann and for all train services visit Irish RailÂ
If you are planning to drive to Kerry, please let us know at the time of booking so we can best advise on parking options.
Daily door-to-door luggage transfers are included in the price of your trip, allowing you to set off on each walk carrying a light backpack.
At Macs Adventure we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Ninety-nine percent of the time they will only transfer one bag per person, but the allowed weight ranges from anything between 15 and 20kg per bag, depending on the tour you are taking. We do not have control over the limits that these providers set. Therefore, it is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags (including shopping bags or boots) and if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees) which we must respect.
On this trip, we ask you to keep your luggage to a maximum weight of 15 kilograms per item. Although most airlines have a standard baggage allowance of 23kg, we kindly ask you to distribute any excess weight over a separate bag. Please note that 2 bags per person are allowed, meaning 4 bags per couple.
All bike tours are unescorted. The distances listed are approximations of the recommended routes.Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, cycle clothing and personal medications etc.
Bringing Your Own BikeÂ
If you wish to bring your own bike, please let us know at the time of booking as extra transfers for your own bikes from Killarney to Cahersiveen might be required.
Bike Rental
Trek FX hybrid bikes are available to rent. Each bike comes with a rear pannier bag for your personal possessions, basic repair kit and a lock. Helmets are included, although your own is likely to be a better fit. Ebikes are also available to hire, as are Trek Road road bikes.
If you would prefer to bring your own bicycle please ensure it is thoroughly serviced and is an appropriate bike for this tour.
If you do intend to bring your own bike, please do let us know at the time of booking as extra transfer arrangements may be required for any large bike cases/boxes.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Bike that you have suitable Travel Insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.
Ireland has a temperate climate with warm summers. April into May, lambs bounce through the fields and the flora is in bloom. Into summer (June-August) you can appreciate long hours of daylight where you are more than likely to encounter a musical festival or two. Summer days can very often spill into September but have the advantage of the crowds beginning to thin.
No matter what month you choose to travel, being close to the Atlantic Coast means the weather can get wet and windy at anytime of year, so always bring a rain jacket!
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