Classic South West Ireland - Biking
Country
Ireland
Region
South & West Ireland
Theme
Classic
7
Days
6
Nights
Accommodation
3* / 4*
Along Atlantic roads and up mountain passes. A biking trip of variety and beauty.
Focused around the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula, this cycling journey captures the variety and vitality of Ireland’s south west. Quiet coastal roads, long Atlantic views and mountain passes carved by ice and time combine to create rewarding days on the eyes (and legs!). Each demanding day on the bike, is followed by space to recover, explore and enjoy Ireland’s strong pub culture. This is Ireland – shaped by landscape, weather and mythical stories. And some would say the gentle speed of a bike is the best way to see it!
Highlights
- Warm-up riding through Killarney National Park
- Cycling the Gap of Dunloe and the Black Valley
- Quiet coastal roads beneath MacGillycuddy’s Reeks
- Riding onto the Dingle Peninsula
- The Slea Head Loop at Europe’s western edge
- Atlantic spins to Brandon Bay and Castlegregory
Handpicked Accommodation
Dingle Skellig Hotel, Dingle
Located on the edge of Dingle town, this contemporary hotel looks out across Dingle Bay towards the Blasket Islands.
Why we chose it
Staying three nights allows riders to tackle the peninsula’s best routes without packing and unpacking, while enjoying the town’s colour, food and music in the evenings.
The Towers Hotel, Glenbeigh
Set close to Rossbeigh Strand, The Towers Hotel is a relaxed coastal property with strong ties to the local community.
Why we chose it
An ideal transition between inland, countryside Kerry and the wilder Atlantic coast to come.
Overlooking the lakes of Killarney National Park, The Lake Hotel is a long-established property with Victorian roots and panoramic views across water and mountains.
Why we chose it
The lakeside is a welcome base for two riding days.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Cork to Killarney National Park
Meet your guide in Cork and transfer west to Killarney. After lunch and a bike fit, set out on a warm-up ride through Killarney National Park. The route passes Ross Castle, a 15th century tower house once held by the O’Donoghue clan, and skirts the edge of Muckross Lake, one of the park’s three interconnected lakes.The riding is gentle and scenic, allowing time to settle into Irish roads and gear before regrouping for dinner at the hotel. Mountains rise steeply around the lakes, offering an immediate sense of the terrain still to come.
Day 2 – The Gap of Dunloe and the Black Valley
Today delivers one of Ireland’s great cycling routes. The ride begins with the ascent of the Gap of Dunloe, a narrow mountain pass carved by glacial movement and framed by steep, close-set peaks. The climb is steady and rewarding, with the landscape opening and closing as the road twists upward. From the summit, a fast descent leads into the Black Valley, one of the most remote inhabited areas in Ireland, which only gained electricity in the 1970s. Return to Killarney having completed a ride that balances physical challenge with an unmistakable scent of Irishness.
Day 3 – MacGillycuddy’s Reeks to Glenbeigh
Leaving Killarney, the route heads towards the Atlantic, passing through the foothills of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks, home to Ireland’s highest mountains. The riding rolls steadily, with peaks rising sharply above green farmland and narrow roads linking scattered settlements. The destination is Glenbeigh, a small coastal town backed by Rossbeigh Strand, a sweeping sandy beach that curves into Dingle Bay. The shift from mountain terrain to sea air is tangible, and the afternoon offers time to enjoy the village’s pubs and shoreline.
Day 4 – Biking along the coast
Today’s ride follows easier coastal roads onto the Dingle Peninsula. The Atlantic stays close, with long views opening across the water as the road traces the edge of the land. Along the way, you pass ancient castles and standing stones, reminders that this peninsula has been settled and defended for thousands of years. Many of these monuments pre-date written history, marking routes and territories long before modern roads existed. Arrival in Dingle brings colour, music and a lively harbour atmosphere.
Day 5 – The Slea Head Loop
The Slea Head Loop circles the westernmost point of mainland Europe, offering constant views across the Atlantic to the Blasket Islands. Though the route includes sustained climbing, the rewards are well worth the effort. Cliff-top roads, offshore islands and a sense of riding at the edge of the world. The Blaskets were inhabited until 1953, and their stone cottages remain just visible from the road. Return to Dingle with the afternoon free to rest, explore or simply sit and enjoy the harbour setting.
Day 6 – Brandon Bay and Castlegregory
The final riding day eases the pace. Spin north towards Brandon Bay and Castlegregory, where wide beaches and open skies define the landscape. The roads here are flatter and forgiving, allowing legs to recover while still taking in classic west coast scenery. Stop for a final pub lunch along the way before returning to Dingle. The evening is set aside for a farewell dinner and a chance to toast the week with a well-earned pint of Guinness.
Day 7 – Departure from Tralee
After breakfast, transfer to Tralee, where the tour comes to an end. Say goodbye or continue your journey independently.
Itinerary Designer
South west Ireland makes cyclists work for their views, but it always pays them back in spades.
Harvey
Featured Experience
Cycling the Gap of Dunloe
The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass that cuts directly through the heart of Kerry’s highest ground. The descent into the Black Valley carryies you into one of Ireland’s most secluded places.