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Kerry & Dingle Self-Guided
Kerry & Dingle Self-Guided
Ireland
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Region
South West of Ireland
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Tour Type Self Guided (Open Departure)
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Duration
10 days
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Bike Types Road, Hybrid, Touring & e-bike
Core Route
521 Kilometres
Difficulty Level: 1 (Leisurely)
Extended Route
490 Kilometres
Difficulty Level: 2 (Moderate)
This itinerary follows a similar route to our Kerry tour, with the addition of a two night visit to the world famous Dingle Peninsula. From the start point in Killarney, the first ride takes you east and inland to Gougane Barra Lake. The following day you head north to Glengarriff and take the short boat trip across to explore Garninsh Island. Leaving Glengarriff you head along the southern coast of the beautiful Beara Peninsula, riding via the scenic Healy Pass climb. Continuing on around the coast you eventually arrive in the busy little town of Kenmare. Leaving Kenmare you ride west on the famous Ring of Kerry around the Iveragh peninsula. The resort of Waterville at the western end of the peninsula is the next two night stopover. The loop from here takes you around Valentia Island with the option to take a boat trip out to the Skelligs. From Waterville you leave the Ring of Kerry coastal route, turning inland on quiet country backroads and climbing very gently towards Ballaghisheen Pass in the centre of the peninsula, heading toward the market town of Killorgin. From here you hug the south coast of Dingle Peninsula, heading toward the town of Dingle for a two night stopover. The loop-ride from Dingle is one of the most spectacular rides we offer in any region, and should live long in the memory. Leaving Dingle, you must first tackle the Conor Pass, before passing through the historic Tralee town, on you way back to Killarney, where you will spend your last evening of the tour
Highlights
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The beauty of Gougane Barra Lake
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Waterville Town
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The stunning Dingle Town
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The quiet beauty of the Sheeps Head Peninsula
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The cable car access to Dursey Island
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Riding over the spectacular Healy Pass
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The huge variety of plants in the Derreen Gardens
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Staigue Fort – the finest ring fort in Ireland
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Valentia Island
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The wonderful ride around the shores of Lough Curane
Day 1
Arrive in Killarney. On arriving in Killarney, you can check into your accommodation and pick up your bike and equipment (if renting). Spend the afternoon exploring the town and/or go for a short warm up ride in the Killarney National Park.
2
Killarney to Gougane Barra 56km / +766m Riding south from the town past Muckross Abbey, you turn east past Lough Guitane to Glenflesk. Continuing south from the village you cross over the Roughty River on Morley’s Bridge and start a gradual ascent on tiny country roads to the pass which marks the county border. The route continues through forests and atmospheric moorland before dropping down to the village of Ballingeary – and the chance for refreshments. You might choose at this point to extend the ride with a loop around Lough Allua to the east of the village before riding the final few kilometres to the beautifully located Gougane Barra.
3
Gougane Barra to Glengarriff 57km / +508m (L, S) If you didn’t ride the Gougane Barra Forest loop or the Lough Allua loop towards the end of yesterday’s ride, you have the option to do one or both before heading west. After a short ascent, it is downhill all the way to meet the coast at Ballinakill. Here you have the option to ride south along the water to Bantry, and perhaps tackle the Sheep’s Head Peninsula loop, or alternatively to head north to Glengarriff and take the short boat trip across to explore Garninsh Island.
4
Glengarriff to Kenmare 58km / +659m Leaving Glengarriff you strike out along the southern shore of the Beara Peninsula, enjoying some wonderful coastal scenery on the way to Adrigole. Here you turn north to cross the Peninsula via the beautiful Healy Pass which marks the border between the counties of Cork and Kerry. Dropping down from the pass you can visit Dereen Gardens before stopping for a pub lunch by the harbour in Bunaw. Continuing around the coast, you cross the Kenmare River to arrive in bustling Kenmare.
5
Kenmare to Waterville 62km / +748m Riding west from Kenmare you on the legendary Ring of Kerry route that follows a circular path around the Iveragh Peninsula. The quaint village of Sneem offers mid-morning refreshment possibilities. A little further on and you have the option to ride away from the coast to visit Staigue Fort (8km round trip). At the village of Caherdaniel you turn off the Ring to Derrynane House, the ancestral home of Daniel O’Connell (the Liberator), one of the most revered Irish political leaders of the 19th century. A climb and descent from here brings you into the resort of Waterville at the western tip of the peninsula.
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Waterville Loop 51km / +628m (L, S) Today’s loop ride takes you around the spit of land to the northwest of Waterville through Ballinskelligs to Portmagee. This is the departure point for the boats going to The Skelligs – if you want to include this on your itinerary you will have to book well in advance, and arrive in Portmagee by 09.30am. From the village you have the option to extend the ride by crossing the bridge and riding around Valentia Island before returning to Portmagee and continuing on the last leg back to Waterville.
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Waterville to Killorglin 57km / +624m From Waterville you leave the Ring of Kerry coastal route, turning inland on quiet country backroads and climbing very gently towards Ballaghisheen Pass in the centre of the peninsula. There is a short steep section just before the summit, rewarded by a great downhill and panoramic views towards McGillacuddy’s Reeks in the distance. The Climbers’ Inn at Glencar is a welcome rest and refreshment halt. From here you have a beautiful ride around the shores of Lough Caragh before turning north to the bustling market town of Killorglin.
8
Killorglin to Dingle 56km / +495m Leaving Killorglin you cross the river and strike out north on country backroads to Castlemaine where you turn due west and hug the south coast of Dingle Peninsula, heading for the town after which the peninsula is named. You can stop off at magnificent Inch Beach, used as one of the main locations for filming Ryan’s Daughter. Passing through Annascaul you can enjoy some wonderful ocean vistas on the ride into Dingle.
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Dingle Loop 56km / +560m The loop ride around Slea Head to the west of Dingle Town is, quite simply, magnificent. The breath-taking scenery coupled with the numerous sites of interest en route (beehive stone dwellings, Gallarus Oratory, Dunbeg Fort) will give you one of the most memorable day’s riding of your life!
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Dingle to Killarney 68km / +515m (S) Leaving Dingle, you must first tackle the Conor Pass – a good work out for your legs and lungs to start the day. Dropping down from the pass you then follow the northern shores of the Dingle Peninsula towards Castlegregory and on to Tralee – a convenient lunch stop. The ride from here back to Killarney is on quiet country roads, but if you decide to spend some time exploring Tralee, there is always the option to catch the train back to Killarney.
Route Map
Accommodatation
The standard accommodations for this region's self-guided itineraries are guesthouses and bed and breakfasts (B&Bs). Generally, these have between 4 and 10 guest rooms and the owners/providers live on the premises. In almost all cases the bathroom facilities are ensuite (self-contained within the room), and the room facilities usually include a television and tea/coffee making facilities. There is a communal reading / television lounge. Small family run hotels are also used in a few locations. The providers are excellent sources of local information.
Breakfast is always included. Most guesthouses do not offer an evening meal.
When you book a tour, your pre-trip planner will have more details about the specific facilities and services provided by the accommodations.
Examples of our guesthouses in this region include;
Getting there
Dublin Bus runs an airport shuttle from Dublin Airport to Dublin City Centre, calling at the main bus station (Busaras) and railway stations (Heuston and Connolly).
From Dublin Heuston Station there are trains to Killarney (change in Mallow).
Bus Eireann runs intercity buses from Dublin Bus Station (Busaras) to Killarney (change in Limerick).
There are frequent buses (Bus Eireann) from Shannon Airport to Killarney bus station (2hrs 50 min / every 2 hours with change in Limerick). Alternatively a taxi transfer can be arranged directly to your accommodation in Killarney (reserve in advance).
Take a taxi from the airport directly to your accommodation in Killarney (ideally reserve prior to travelling). Alternatively there are frequent (hourly) Bus Eireann buses to Killarney bus station (25 min/every hour).
Take a taxi from the airport directly to your accommodation in Killarney (ideally reserve prior to travelling). Alternatively there are frequent (hourly) Bus Eireann buses to Killarney bus station (2 hrs 25 min/every hour) - change in Parnell Bus Station in Cork City).
Climate
Ireland's climate is surprisingly mild given its northern location. This is mainly due to the warming effects of the Gulf Stream which brings warm waters up to Western Europe from the more tropical Atlantic zones.
Temperamental is a fitting description of Ireland's weather. It can be very unpredictable! The old adage that it is possible to experience four seasons in one day is close to the truth. During the summertime, the warmest months tend to be July and August, when average temperatures during the day can range from 15ºC to 20ºC. A hot day in summertime could produce temperatures of 22ºC to 24ºC and on rare occasions can exceed 30ºC.
The best time to travel to Ireland for an outdoor trip such as a bicycle tour is from the beginning of May to the end of September. April and October are also possible, but the chances of encountering inclement weather increase. Towards the end of October the days are significantly shorter.
Traditionally May can provide some of the best weather days of the season. The last two weeks in June have the longest days of the year.
July and August are peak travel season for Ireland. The first weekend in August (a public holiday weekend) is the busiest of the season. School holidays are from the end of June until the end of August.
The latter half of September sees the change to autumn colours.
| Core Tour Cost | €1195 |
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| Luggage Transfers | €660 (for two people) |
| Hybrid Bike Rental | €185 |
| Touring Bike Rental | €215 |
| Road Bike Rental | €240 |
| E-Bike Rental | €315 |
| Single supplement | €425 |
| Solo Traveller Supplement | POA |
€1195 per person sharing, to include;
- 10 nights' accommodation with breakfast
- Pre-Trip Information Booklet and Planner
- On call telephone support
- All mapping, routes and cue sheets with gpx tracks
- Meet, greet and bike fitting
Luggage Transfers
- Luggage transfer charges are calculated as follows:
The standard charge is based on one or two riders. A couple would therefore share the luggage transfer costs. There is then a small additional fee for the third and each additional person.
For example:- Total cost for one or two riders = 660 (330 per person based on two people sharing)
- Total cost for three riders = 660 + 40= 700 (233 per person)
- Total cost for four riders = 740 + 40 + 40 = 740 (185 per person)
Note that the more riders in the group, the less expensive are the luggage transfers per rider.
Please note that whilst we will try our best to provide you with the exact bike as listed below, due to availability or sizing issues we may not always be able to. The bike you will receive will be of a very similar spec and always in very good condition.
- 5 frame sizes
- FX Alpha Gold Aluminium
- FX Alloy fork
- 27 speed
Bring your own saddle and/or pedals if you wish and we will fit them to the bike. (You must be able to remove them yourself at the end of your trip).
Fitted with: Rear rack; platform pedals, bottle cage, fenders (mudguards)
Equipment provided: Handlebar bag; map case; spare tube; puncture repair kit; lock; mini pump; multitool.
Available on request: Panniers, helmet, odomoter, gps unit
Ridgeback Panorama Touring Bike
- Full shimano drive
- Disc brakes
- Full length mudguards
- 27 Speed.
Bring your own saddle and/or pedals if you wish and we will fit them to the bike. (You must be able to remove them yourself at the end of your trip)
Fitted with: Rear rack; platform pedals, bottle cage, fenders (mudguards)
Equipment provided: Handlebar bag; map case; spare tube; puncture repair kit; lock; mini pump; multitool.
Available on request: Panniers, helmet, odomoter, gps unit
- A2-SL double-butted alloy frame
- Shimano Sora 2x9 components
- Vittoria Zaffiro 700x30c tires
Bring your own saddle and/or pedals if you wish and we will fit them to the bike. (You must be able to remove them yourself at the end of your trip)
Fitted with: Platform pedals, bottle cage,
Equipment provided: map case; spare tube; puncture repair kit; lock; mini pump; multitool, frame bag
Available on request: Panniers, helmet, odomoter, gps unit
- Suntour NEX disc fork
- Bafang H400 rear hub motor
- Bafang 5 mode LED display w/walk assist
- Shimano Gearing
Bring your own saddle and/or pedals if you wish and we will fit them to the bike. (You must be able to remove them yourself at the end of your trip).
Fitted with: Rear rack; platform pedals, bottle cage, fenders (mudguards)
Equipment provided: Handlebar bag; map case; spare tube; puncture repair kit; lock; mini pump; multitool.
Available on request: Panniers, helmet, odomoter, gps unit
Perfect honeymoon!
Ashley and I are finally back in the U.S. after our marriage-and-cycling wedding tour in Ireland – we had a fantastic time
Ashley and I are finally back in the U.S. after our marriage-and-cycling wedding tour in Ireland – we had a fantastic time. Many, many thanks for helping arrange our tour, for answering our questions, and for the little hints you dropped at all the B&Bs we stayed at! It seemed everyone we met had wind of our marriage, and it seemed we got a little special treatment here and there all along the way. Very kind of all of you! As you probably know, we lucked out with nearly perfect sunny weather for our cycling. We greatly enjoyed the routes and B&Bs and towns we cycled through. We'll certainly recommend Iron Donkey to others in the future – especially if a wedding is part of the plans!
Loved the Guinness
We loved the breathtaking scenery, challenging rides,and evening pub suppers with Guinness!
The self-guided bike tour was fantastic! We loved the breathtaking scenery, challenging rides,and evening pub suppers with Guinness!
The most enjoyable ride of my life
The Dingle Peninsula was one of the most beautiful landscapes that I have ever seen
The Dingle Peninsula was one of the most beautiful landscapes that I have ever seen. Around every corner was another stunning vista – very possibly the most enjoyable day’s biking of my life!
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