Southwest Ireland Self-Guided Bicycle Tour (14 nights)

Tour code: SWISG14

Tour Overview

This comprehensive itinerary encompasses all five peninsulas of the South West and includes McGillicuddy’s Reeks and Gougane Barra. Mizen Head, Sheeps Head, the Beara Peninsula, the Iveragh Peninsula and the Dingle Peninsula are explored in turn. This is a wonderful (and fairly challenging) itinerary.

From the start point in Killarney, the first ride takes you east and inland to Gougane Barra Lake. The next leg takes you west to meet the coast at Bantry for a two night stopover. The loop ride from here explores the Mizen Head Peninsula. Leaving Bantry you follow the coast to Glengarriff and then ride west along the southern shore of the Beara Peninsula to Castletown Bere. After riding around the tip of the peninsula you then climb over the Healy Pass en route to Kenmare for a two night halt.

There are several options for the loop ride. 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. The next leg takes you through the interior of the peninsula to Killorglin, from where you ride out along the southern shore of the Dingle Peninsula to the town of Dingle for a two night stopover. The scenery on the loop ride from Dingle is sublime! The last day's cycle takes you over the Conor Pass to the final destination in Tralee.

For information on the en route scenery and attractions see the Regional Details page
The itinerary follows routes A, C, E, F, H, J, K, L, M, O, P, Q and R
This tour is rated B – click here for tour rating description.

Ten highlights

Visiting Killarney National Park
Gougane Barra Lake and Forest Park
The views from Mizen Head – Ireland’s most southerly point.
The quiet beauty of the Sheeps Head Peninsula
A visit to Bantry House
The wonderful ride over the Healy Pass
Traditional music sessions in Kenmare’s pubs
The breathtaking landscapes of the Dingle Peninsula
The Skellig Experience Centre
Gallarus Oratory

Gallery

Options

To extend the itinerary an additional night in Killarney at the beginning or at the end of the riding is a good choice.
A second night in Castletown Bere gives the opportunity for a more relaxed exploration of the western end of the Beara Peninsula.

Outline Itinerary

Day	Itinerary	Start	Finish	Route options	En Route
1	arrive at	KILLARNEY
2	route A	Killarney	Killarney		Lake Leane; Killarney National Park; Muckross House; Ross Castle; Gap of Dunloe
3	route C	Killarney	Gougane Barra		Killarney National Park; Lough Allua; Gougane Barra Forest Park
4	route E	Gougane Barra	Bantry		Bantry House; Armada Exhibition; Sheeps Head Peninsula
5	route F	Bantry	Bantry		Mizen Head; Skull; Ballydehob
6	route H*	Bantry	Castletownbere		Glengarriff; Garinish Island; Dunboy Castle
7	route J	Castletownbere	Kenmare		Dursey Island; Eyeries; Ardgroom
8	route K	Kenmare	Kenmare		Druid's Circle; Kilgarven Motor Museum
9	route L*	Kenmare	Cahirciveen		Ring of Kerry; Staigue Fort; Derrynane House; Waterville
10	route M	Cahirciveen	Cahirciveen		Coolmanspig Pass; Valentia Island; Skellig Islands
11	route O	Cahirciveen	Killorglin		Balligisheen Pass; Lough Caragh
12	route P	Killorglin	Dingle		Inch Strand; Annascaul; Minard Castle; Oceanworld
13	route Q	Dingle	Dingle		Dunbeg Fort; Beehive Dwellings; Slea Head; Blasket Centre; Gallarus Oratory
14	route R	Dingle	Tralee		Conor Pass; Brandon Bay; Desmond Castle; Blennerville Windmill
15	depart from	TRALEE

Tour Costs

Costs in Euros
basic cost per person sharing		995
single accommodation supplement (if applicable)		280
Optional Costs
bicycle rental (standard bicycle)		225
luggage transfers	shared charge for group	480
	additional charge per rider	20
airport transfers and miscellaneous costs		see tables

Click here for more details on what's included in the costs above.

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