Ireland Biking
Cork, Kerry & the Southwest Emerald Isle
"Ireland, especially the rural West, is a cyclist's dream," writes Bicycling magazine. "A network of intertwined little roads...wind above seaside cliffs and past evenly spaced white cottages with gray slate roofs, each one trailing its signature plume of smoke from a turf fire." Join Backroads to weave your way through this spectacular landscape, along the quiet nooks of western Cork and Kerry, and past ancient fortresses, crumbling churches and peaceful glens dressed in emerald. You'll be charmed by a local historian, a spinner of folk tales and an expert in fine whiskey. After a day of riding, enjoy warm Irish hospitality in country manors and inns.
- Spin through the classic Irish landscape: green hills, small farms, quaint cottages and woolly sheep
- Soak up fascinating history and lively village culture
- Private whiskey tasting
- The hospitality of the renowned Park Hotel Kenmare
- Catch ferries to some of Ireland's treasures and enjoy sweeping coastal views
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Kinsale
Meet in Cork 
Pedal into the countryside, following a hilly route to the cliffs at the Old Head of Kinsale, where castle ruins and a watchtower from the Napoleonic War invite exploration Join a local historian for a walking tour of Kinsale.
Day 2 Baltimore
Take in sweeping vistas of the south coast's emerald bluffs en route to the market town of Clonakilty Continue on to Baltimore, winding through a classic Irish tableau of verdant hills, small farms, quaint cottages and woolly sheep 
Enjoy an evening of local entertainment.
Day 3 Ballylickey
Ferry to Schull, a vibrant resort town An afternoon ride to Ballylickey follows quiet country roads lined with small villages painted in cheery colors Visit Mannings' Emporium for a cheese tasting.
Days 4-6 Kenmare
Bike to Glengarriff and catch a ferry to Garinish Island, an unlikely garden paradise filled with fountains, statues and plants from around the world Discover the town of Kenmare or treat yourself to an afternoon at the Park Hotel's world-renowned spa Explore the wild and rugged Beara Peninsula and subtropical gardens of Derreen House Enjoy a private whiskey tasting with expert John Moriarty Ride alongside the Roughty River and past rolling green pastures dotted with cows.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Spain Biking Dordogne & Bordeaux Biking Portugal BikingOther Europe Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
The lush green meadows of Ireland's countryside were surpassed only by the sparkling vibrancy of the Backroads experience.- New York, NY More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For biking tours in , trust our in-depth connections. To see all our biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Ireland Biking
IRISH TRADITIONS: Premiere Inns*
Old Bank House
Kinsale (1 night) Just steps from Kinsale's picturesque harbor, this modest inn - the nicest place to stay in town! - is adorned with exquisite period pieces and original art.
* Casual Inn
Casey's of Baltimore
Baltimore (1 night) Exuding classic Irish charm, Ann and Michael Casey's cheery casual inn with an inviting pub is tucked in a traditional fishing village.
* Casual Inn
Seaview House
Ballylickey (1 night) Owner Kathleen O'Sullivan pampers us at this four-star country house on the shore of Bantry Bay.
Park Hotel Kenmare
Kenmare (2 nights) A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, with luxurious guest rooms and a world-renowned spa.
Ireland Biking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 19 miles
- 1500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
- Optional Walking 3.5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 5 4 Route Options Available
- 29, 43, 57 miles
- 1000 - 3500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Beacon Walk 3 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- 20, 30 miles
- 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 8, 25, 31 miles
- 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 3 to 5 2 Route Options Available
- 33, 64 miles
- 1000 - 3000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 16 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
- Conclusion of Trip
Due to the constantly rolling hills, the regular route options are considered moderate to challenging. Other conditions, including rain, headwinds and narrow bumpy roads, can make the riding feel tougher than the mileage might suggest.