Guided Biking Tours in Ireland

West Cork and Kerry Cycling Safari
( round trip to and from killarney )

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.

ZZ-IR-Cycle01
Rates include 7 nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation ( a mixture of Hotels and guesthouse), 1 evening dinner, bicycle hire, tour guide who drives the luggage van and looks after the tour, maps and all necessary equipment. The tour includes coach transfers when required during the week, but does not include the optional ferry journeys.
8 days / 7 nights $985
-- based on € 695
Single supplements are very limited but in the case where we can provide one there is an additional cost of $335 (€ 235)
2008 Dates:
05/10-05/17    05/24-05/31    06/21-06/28
07/05-07/12    07/19-07/26    08/02-08/09
08/16-08/23    09/06-09/13    09/20-09/27

Self Guided Option: Available starting any day during the summer (except Saturdays). The bike and route details will be waiting for you in the first nights accommodation. Same rates apply.

TOUR 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.

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.

Insurance: There is an additional charge of $25 for insurance cover for this trip, or you can opt for the regular insurance package that we offer.
The bicycle: We supply 21 speed Trek hybrid touring models for the tours. Repair equipment , helmets and pannier bags are available on request.

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.

What does the price include?

Seven night’s accommodation with full Irish breakfast.
21 speed touring bike with front handlebar bag.
route maps and details
luggage transfer each day
support van and tour guide

The Bike
In 2006 we will be using Trek T30 (2006 model) for our tours.
Bikes come in different adult sizes and in gents and ladies style frames. It is important you give us your height on booking so that we can allocate the correct bike to you
The advantage of a cycling safari is that because you have your own map and route details you can enjoy each day’s cycle at your own pace. ‘’There are a number of hills to climb on this tour so we would recommend that you do try to do some cycling before the tour in order to make your week more enjoyable, if possible do it on varied terrain and include some hill climbing. But don’t forget…our guide is also on hand to give you a lift if you fancy a break from the two wheels!

Meal expenses
All full Irish breakfasts are included in the tour price. Clients buy their own lunches and dinner throughout the trip. You should budget between €6 and €10 for lunch each day. The guide organises an evening meal each night costing somewhere between €15 and €25.
Although most people enjoy coming together each evening to discuss their adventures during the day over dinner, you are always free to organise your own dinner arrangements if you so wish. Please inform the guide if you decide to do this. Nearly all restaurants in Ireland now cater for vegetarians but please inform the guide if you are vegetarian so that he can organise something for you in more remote places.

Price of other extras (these are only approximate prices and will vary)

Coffee/tea                    €1.20
Soft drink                     €1.70
Bottle of water              €1.70
Glass of Beer              € 2.00 ( this is half a pint ! )
Pint of Beer                  € 3.80 ( this is a full pint! )
Bottle of wine               € 15.00

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.

General Trip Philosophy