Cycling in Kerry

The bicycle is an ideal way to see Kerry. Cheap, healthy transport that offers lots of opportunities to appreciate the county in your own time. Away from the compulsion to keep moving with the traffic, stop for a chat with the locals or to take the photograph that you´d have missed had you been in a car or bus.

Should you not have you own, bicycles can be hired in most towns for about IR£7 a day - great value. The roads are reasonably sign posted but if you intend going ´off the beaten track´ you would be advised to purchase an Ordnance Survey Map of the area which are available in any of the tourist information centres.

Many cafes offer ´take-away´ service if you intend heading off into the hills and valleys. Your hotel or guesthouse may also be happy to organise a snack box for you. Regardless of your route we have yet to get a report of any visitor dying of hunger on a cycling trip.

Good advise is to book your bicycle the evening before and head off early the following morning. Not only do you get better value for money but you also avoid the lazy people in the cars who don´t get up until much later.

Where to Go?

There is no shortage of cycle routes in the county. Whether you want a short journey or a long journey, level or flat terrain, into the mountains or by the coast, there's something for everyone. In several parts of the county they now have specific cycle routes which are sign-posted and have accompanying brochures. Here are some suggestions for the different areas of the county.

Killarney

With its 27,000 acres of National Park, Killarney is ideal for the cyclists as many of the more scenic areas are thankfully off limit to motor cars. These are some of the popular routes.

1. Killarney - Muckross Abbey - through the Dinis Peninsula - Dinis Cottage - Torc Waterfall - Muckross House & Gardens & Traditional Farms - (Ross Castle optional) Killarney: 14 miles ( 22 Kms).

2. Killarney - Beaufort - Gap of Dunloe - The Owenreagh Valley to Moll´s Gap and back by the Upper Lake - Torc and Muckross (see 1. above) - Killarney : 35 miles (56 kms).

3. Killarney - Muckross Abbey - Muckross House & Gardens & Traditional Farms - Torc Waterfall - Derrycunnihy Waterfall - Ladies View - return to Killarney by main same route: 24 miles (38 kms).

4. Killarney - Beaufort - Kilgobnet - Lough Acoose - Glencar - Ballaghbeama Gap - Gearha Cross - Moll´s Gap - Muckross (see 1. above) - Killarney : 52 miles (83 kms).

5. Killarney - Glenflesk - Loo Bridge - Morley's Bridge - Kilgarvan - Kenmare - Moll´s Gap - Ladies View - Muckross (see 1. above) - Killarney. : 45 miles (72 kms).

Ring of Kerry

This is one of the most popular motoring tours in Ireland. Probably not as popular as a cycling tour due to its distance. The circular route takes in Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Caherciveen, Waterville, Caherdaniel, Sneem, Kenmare and Killarney. Lately it has been specifically sign posted with a slightly alternative route that avoids some of the busier main roads. Total distance : 110 miles (177 kms).

North Kerry

This is another part of the county with a spectacular coastline. North Kerry is more ´cyclist friendly´ with its fine plains, quite the opposite to the mountainous South Kerry. The recently developed North Kerry Coastal Drive is an ideal cycle route, clearly sign posted, and with lots of scenic views and historic sites.

From Tralee take the R558 to Fenit, following signs marked "Tour / Slí", then to historic Ardfert and the coastal resorts of Banna, Ballyheigue and Ballybunion. Proceed eastwards along the Shannon Estuary to Ballylongford and Tarbert. Return to Tralee via Listowel, famed for its writers such as John B. Keane and Bryan McMahon. Distance approx: 60 miles (96 kms).

Ballybunion has a number of short cycle tours which take in the striking scenery in the area. Ask at the local tourist information office for the brochure and maps.

Dingle

Around the narrow roads of the Dingle Peninsula the bicycle is King. No parking worries, just put the bike up against the nearest ditch and take all the time you want to photograph or just absorb the scenery. Also, there is no better way to enjoy the purest air in Europe, travelling over thousands of miles of the Atlantic ocean it will hit your lungs like a blast of nitrous oxide.

One of the most popular routes is the Slea Head Tour. Starting in Dingle town this route offers the visitor panoramic views of the most outstanding scenery in the Dingle Peninsula. From the town head for Ventry and continue via Slea Head, Dunquin, Ballyferriter, Murreagh, Feoghanagh and return to Dingle. Distance approx 22 miles (35 kms).

There are a number of other cycle routes in the county which we hope to add over the coming months. We will also be adding maps of the routes which you will be able to print out and guide you along the way.

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