This is one of our first and still most popular tours. You will start and finish in the hustle and bustle of Killarney before heading out on the Beara and Mizen peninsulas where you will stay in attractive seaside villages.

DAY 1 - SATURDAY - KILLARNEY

Meeting in the centre of Killarney with the tour guide and the rest of the group.

DAY 2 - SUNDAY - KILLARNEY TO KENMARE - 23 miles (37 kms)

You select your bike and set out via Muckross National Park. In the afternoon there is a choice of routes to the seaside town of Kenmare.

DAY 3 - MONDAY - KENMARE TO CASTLETOWNBEAR - 32 miles (51kms)

You leave Kerry by cycling onto the beautiful and remote Beara Peninsula where we stay in the fishing port of Castletownbere.

DAY 4 - TUESDAY - CASTLETOWNBEAR TO SCHULL - 38 miles (61kms)

After a morning cycle to Glengarriff you can take a boat across Bantry Bay, which shortens the afternoon cycle to the village of Schull.

DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY - REST DAY IN SCHULL

Various activities can be arranged, or you can simply potter around local shops and pubs.

DAY 6 - THURSDAY - SCHULL TO GOUGANE BARRA - 35 Miles (51 kms)

After a lunch stop in Bantry House, you move inland to your evening destination by St. Finbar's hermitage retreat at Gougane Barra.

DAY 7 - FRIDAY - GOUGANE BARRA TO KILLARNEY - 35 Miles (56 kms)

Heading homeward on little known roads with swimming stops in river pools along the way, you return to Killarney for a final evening meal and a night on the town.

TOUR DETAILS

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is on a twin-sharing basis in a mixture of family run hotels and guesthouses with breakfasts included. On booking we will need to know whether sharing will be on a twin (two beds) or double (one bed) basis. Due to the isolated nature of several of the places on the itineraries, single rooms cannot be guaranteed. For people traveling alone, we can twin share them with another single person on the tour. In exceptional cases one single room may be provided at a supplement of 100.00 Irish Pounds for the week. This is on a request only basis.

FITNESS, DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY

Other than young children whom we discourage, people of all ages and abilities come on the tours, so do not worry if you are not super-fit. You have all day to cover the recommended route and while Irish roads rarely follow a straight line, there are few really high climbs. Sore bottoms are an occupational hazard on a cycling tour, but a pair of padded cycle shorts or a gel saddle cover can work wonders. Complete beginners might also take a few practice rides before coming on the tour. The average cycling distance is an easy 30 miles with longer routes being available each day. The safaris are suitable for adults of all ages and fitness levels but the tours are not suited for children under 13 years of age. The Ring of Kerry, The Highlands of Donegal and the Derry Air tours have more hills than the other routes.

MEALS

The guide will recommend a lunch stop each day where a snack lunch will cost between 3 -5 Irish Pounds. A group evening meal is also organised by the guide each night, which costs between 10 - 15 Irish Pounds.

THE BICYCLE

A 21 Trek Hybrid touring model is available for the tours. Each booking should give the clients name and approximate height. Repair equipment, helmets and pannier bags are available on request.

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance.

STARTING TIMES

Each of the tours start with a meeting of the group at 6.30 pm on the Saturday evening in a central hotel close to the local train and bus station. This is only a meeting point, typically the group will be staying in nearby guesthouses. The guide is able to return to the meeting place at 9.30 pm 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.

WHAT TO BRING