Western Ireland - Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula Cycling Safari with Hidden Trails.

Guided Biking Tours in Ireland

Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula Cycling Safari
( round trip to and from killarney )

This tour offers arguably the most spectacular landscape in the country and is home to Ireland’s highest mountain range. Each day presents you with even more stunning scenery as you cycle through majestic mountain ranges and beautiful lakes coloured by the yellow gorse and purple heather that grows everywhere. We avoid the main roads around the Ring of Kerry by taking you on some beautiful quiet backroads that intersect the Iveragh and Dingle Peninsulas.

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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:
05/31-06/07 06/28-07/05 07/12-07/19
07/26-08/02 08/09-08/16 08/23-08/30

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 with a $115 supplement for transfers per group.

Schedule

Sat	We meet up in Killarney and as with each of our tours you can have a get together meal while the baggage is transferred to your guesthouses.
Sun	The tours starts by following a cycling track into the beautiful grounds of Muckroos 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 cloistery. After a stroll around the celebrated Muckross Gardens there follows a wonderful cycle along a quiet cyclepath between two Killarney lakes before we return to the main road. A steady climb follows to our lunch stop at Molls Gap where you are rewarded with the delicious food in the restaurant and the view of the surrounding mountains. In the afternoon we cycle to Sneem, looking out over panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
Mon	Avoiding the main Ring of Kerry road, we cycle across the peninsula. Passing along quiet country roads with stunning views of the surrounding mountains we climb to the beautiful Gap of Ballaghbearna and descend the other side into another valley with views of Carrautoohil, Ireland's highest mountain. After lunch there is a wonderful cycle through quiet fields and over old stone bridges before coming to Caragh Lake. Following the lakeside we then head west to the seaside village of Glenbeigh where we spend the night in a comfortable hotel.
Tues	We start the day with a short coach trip to the Dingle where we base ourselves for two nights. After getting back on the bikes, we then follow the Slea Head Route around the tip of the Dingle Peninsula. This is one of the highlights of the tour; there are a wide variety of archaeological sites to visit along the route and some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery in the country.
Wed	Dingle is a busy small town with plenty of restaurants, musical pubs, trawlers tied up with yachts and some beautiful surrounding countryside.
Thurs	The morning starts with a long steady climb up to the Conor Pass with its stunning views of Mount Brandon and the coastline in the distance. There follows a wonderful descent and then a nice flat cycle alone the coast to the village of Camp where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we head straight into the mountains and traverse the peninsula by heading up over one side of the mountains to magnificent views of the other side of the peninsula. Here, Dingle Bay and Ireland's highest mountain range stretches out in front of you. We then descend down the other side and cycle the final stretch to out night stop in Milltown and an evening of traditional music.
Fri	We continue along backroads up tp Kate Kearney's Cottage where you can stop for a cup of tea. We then enter the final highlight of the tour: the Gap of Dungloe, a place you will never forget. Coming out of the Gap you have an incredible view looking down the Black Valley before following a small quiet route through a peaceful valley surrounded by green fields full of grazing sheep. We climb out of the valley to return to Molls Gap and a wonderful freewheel back down to KIllarney. That evening we have a final farewell night on the town together.
Sat	The tour finishes with a final breakfast together.

Distances: The average cycling distance is an easy 30m (45km) with longer routes being available each day.
Meals: The guide will recommend a lunch stop each day where a snack lunch will cost between $7 and $10. A group evening meal is also organised by the guide each night which costs between $15 and $20.
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.
Starting times: Tours starts 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 - you will then overnight in nearby guesthouses. The guide is able to return to the meeting place at 9:30pm again that evening and the following morning for those arriving late. After an introductory talk the guide will organise an evening meal and direct clients to their first nights accommodation in bed & breakfasts.

General Trip Philosophy